2024 Pasadena Buddhist Church Summer Obon Festival Event (Bon Odori Dancing, Live Taiko, Japanese Food..)NEW

Annual Pasadena Buddhist Temple's Annual Obon Festival Event will be held for 1 day in July. There will be Japanese food, crafts, games, cultural exhibits and demonstrations. Each evening, dancers from around the Southland gathered around the yagura and danced the traditional Obon Odori (dances).

Dancing is scheduled to begin at 6:30 pm each evening. Obon odori is to dance for joy. Everyone is invited to join in to just dance and be accepted as we are.

Obon Background
"Obon is a Buddhist observance that was originally observed in Mahayana Buddhist countries, including China, Korea, Japan and Vietnam. Obon season is a time to express our gratitude to loved ones who have passed on before us. Without them, we would not be who we are today, due to the basic tenet of interdependence. In Japan, Obon has been held since 657 A.D." - Rev. Patti Usuki.

Obon Festival Event Date
July 20, 2024, Saturday

Schedule
6:30 pm Bon Odori starts

Dance Practices
Bon Odori Dance Practice will be held: Tue & Thu nights from 7 - 8 pm
Begins: June 20, 2024


Pasadena Obon & Practice Dates  

Update coming.

Obon Festival Time
4:00 pm - 7:30 pm

Obon Schedule
4:30 pm - 6:30pm: Pre-order food pick-up
5:30 pm: LA Taiko Ichiza
6:00 pm: Bon Odori will be held outside on the parking lot

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2019 Previous Year Obon 

Annual Pasadena Buddhist Temple's Annual Obon Festival Event will be held for 2 days in July. There will be Japanese food, crafts, games, cultural exhibits and demonstrations. Each evening, dancers from around the Southland gathered around the yagura and danced the traditional Obon Odori (dances). Dancing is scheduled to begin at 6:30 pm each evening. Obon odori is to dance for joy. Everyone is invited to join in to just dance and be accepted as we are.

Obon Background
"Obon is a Buddhist observance that was originally observed in Mahayana Buddhist countries, including China, Korea, Japan and Vietnam. Obon season is a time to express our gratitude to loved ones who have passed on before us. Without them, we would not be who we are today, due to the basic tenet of interdependence. In Japan, Obon has been held since 657 A.D." - Rev. Patti Usuki.

Obon Family Service will be held on Sunday at 10:00 am in conjunction with Hatsubon Service for families that have lost a loved one since the last Obon with Rev. Gregory Gibbs presiding. July monthly memorial service (Shotsuki Hoyo) will be held on Sunday, at 10:00 am.

Obon comes from the story of Maudgalyana, a disciple of the Buddha, who sees his mother suffering in "hell". Maudgalyana goes to the Buddha for advice and is instructed to make a gift (a vegetarian meal) to his fellow monks. He did so, and immediately his mother is saved from the miseries of hell. Overjoyed, he and his fellow monks clapped their hands and danced in joy. Obon, therefore, is an occasion for rejoicing in liberating others and ourselves from suffering.

Obon Festival Event Dates
July 20 - 21, 2019 - Saturday & Sunday

Obon Festival Event Times (Different End Times)
Sat: 4:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Sun: 4:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Bon Odori Dance Event Times
Bon Odori dancing will begin at 6:30 pm 

Obon Festival Event Schedule
* Taiko performances: 6 pm, LA Matsuri Taiko (Saturday), Taiko of West LA Buddhist Temple (Sunday)
* Food booth: Chicken Teriyaki, Beef Teriyaki, Beef Chow Mein, Manju, Spam Musubi, Chili Rice, Shaved Ice and much, much more!

Taiko Performances are schedule each evening before the dancing (6:00 pm). Saturday will feature LA Matsuri Taiko and Sunday will feature Taiko of West Los Angeles Buddhist Temple

Taiko Performances are scheduled each evening during the dancing break (around 7:00 PM). Saturday will feature L.A. Matsuri Taiko. Sunday will feature Taiko of West Los Angeles Buddhist Temple.

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Obon Festival Event Title
Pasadena Buddhist Church Summer Obon Festival (Live Taiko, Games, Japanese Food, Performances) (2 Days)

Obon Festival Event Location
Pasadena Buddhist Temple, 1993 Glen Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91103