2013 San Luis Obispo Buddhist Church Obon Festival - St. Patrick's School (Sat only)NEW

San Luis Obispo Buddhist Church Obon Festival
Music, Food, Crafts, Bonsai, Martial Arts, Taiko, and items for sale from various vendors. At 6:30 pm begins Obon Odori and at 8:00 will begin the raffle with a grand prize and many other prizes including other cash prized. Tickets for the raffle or teriyaki chicken dinner are available in advance by calling the church or at the festival.

Obon is an Annual Buddhist event for commemorating one's ancestors
The Obon Festival can be traced to a Buddhist sutra that tells the story of Mogallana, a disciple of Budda who, in meditation, saw his deceased mother suffering in the realm of hungry ghosts. He tried giving her food but it turned into flames. Buddha advised him to engage in a "jishi", or retreat, and make an offering for his fellow monks. This done, he saw his mother released from suffering and he danced for joy. Varying interpretations evolved over the years, including the belief that spirits of ancestors actually revisit this world. Pine torches are attached to bamboo to welcome spirits to the family home, and on the final day of the observance, spirits are said to return to the nether world, guided by candle-lit lanterns that are set adrift on water.

Obon remains one of the most important Buddhist observances. The typical Obon is a blend of somber reflection and celebration of those before us.

Date
August 3, 2013

Time
1:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Bon Odori Dancing
6:45 pm

Schedule
1:00 - Vendors and Food booths open
2:00 - Kendo
2:30 - Laido
3:30 - Judo, Central Coast Judo club
4:00 - Daito Ryu Aiki Jjitsu
5:00 - Tea Ceremony
5:30 - Ichimi Daiko Performance
6:45 - Obon Odori
8:00 - Raffle Drawing

Bon Odori Dance Practice
Every Thursday in July 11, 18, 25 at 7 pm. Note: Odori Practice is at: San Luis Obispo Buddhist Church, 6996 Ontario Rd., San Luis Obispo, CA

Title
San Luis Obispo Buddhist Church Obon Festival - St. Patrick's School (Sat only)

Location
St. Patrick's School, 900 W. Branch St., Arroyo Grande, CA 93420

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]