2013 Arizona Buddhist Temple Obon Festival & Odori Dancing NEW

Obon Festival a Gathering of Joy - Bon Dance Festival
Major religious service and festival including Japanese folk dancing (Bon Odori), as an occasion for rejoicing in the enlightenment offered by the Buddha.  Also includes a candlelight memorial for those who have passed away since the preceding Obon season (Hatsubon).

Festival Date
June 8 - 9th, 2013

Festival Time
5:00 pm: Dinner Tickets $8.00 (Call 602-278-0036)
6:30 pm: Suzuyuki-Kai Dance
9:00 pm: Closed

Bon Odori Dance Time
6:45 pm: Ondo Dance

Bon Dance Practice Schedule at 6:45 pm (Check Web Site)
Starting in June: Mon, Wed, Fri
June Sunday schedule: 11:30 am

Event Title
2013 Arizona Buddhist Temple Obon Festival & Odori Dancing

Event Location
Arizona Buddhist Temple, 4142 West Clarendon Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85019-3617

Event Contact
Rev. Ryuken Furumoto Tel. (602) 278-0036

Japanese Obon Festival & Bon Odori Schedule
http://www.japanese-city.com/calendar/events/p/obon-and-practice.php

[Please always confirm date & times, the schedule could change]

About The Arizona Buddhist Temple
The Arizona Buddhist Temple, which is an affiliate of the Buddhist Churches of America and Nishi Hongwanji in Kyoto, Japan, was established in the mid 1930's through the dedication and sacrifice of Japanese American pioneers.  It has the distinction of being the oldest Buddhist temple in the state of Arizona.  The contributions of our elders marked a major extension of Jodo Shin Buddhism away from the coastal states.

Bon Dharma Service
The annual Obon service is scheduled for Sunday, June 10, 2012, with guest speaker, the Reverend William Briones of Los Angeles Honpa Hongwanji Buddhist Temple, guiding us through this reflective time. The members of Arizona Buddhist Temple and their families are invited to attend the Bon Service which is one of the Six Major Services in the Hongwanji tradition.

The term Bon is an abbreviation of a Japanese Buddhist term "Urabon," which is derived from the Sanskrit term "Ullumbana." "Ullumbana" means to be liberated from a spiritual state of pain and hunger caused by greediness, one of three blind desires.

Even as we reflect on the sorrowful consequence of basic human defilement, we, as Jodo Shinshu Buddhists, joyfully reflect on the Primal Power of Amida Buddha which has been fulfilled, thus enabling us to live in gratitude. Bon Service is called the Gathering of Joy in Shin Buddhist tradition, instead of being merely called "Memorial Service."

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