Mantokuji O-Bon Festival 3-10pm July 8/23 in Paia
Remember Mantokuji’s O-Bon Festival on Saturday, July 8th!
Please join us for this joyous event! Come early for the performances and good food! Parking is also available across the street at the Paia Community Center and the Paia Hawaiian Protestant Church.
3:00 pm Graveyard Service
5:30 pm Food Concession opens
6:00 pm Zenshin Daiko performance
6:30 pm Maui Taiko performance
7:00 pm Reverend Tomoki Hirasawa will perform a short blessing service at the yagura
7:15 pm Bon Dance
Reverend’s Message
Hello Everyone.
The Obon season is here! This year, the Bon Festival at Mantokuji Temple will return for the first time in three years. This is the first Obon Festival for me so I am very excited. When I was in Japan, I didn’t know that Obon festivals were so popular in Hawaii. I admire the tradition of the Mantokuji community bringing both Buddhist and non-Buddhist together to enjoy the obon festivities. I’ve learned that it’s the wonderful Hawaiian culture we can be proud of.
Obon is said to have its origin in the story of Mokuren (MaudgalyÄyana), one of the closest disciples of Buddha. One day Mokuren, who had achieved the psychic power to see everything, found out that his deceased mother was suffering in hell. His mother had fallen into hell because she had cared for her child so much that she had forgotten the mind of giving to others and had become wrapped up in a greedy mind. Mokuren wanted to help her somehow and asked Buddha to teach
him how to do so. Buddha told him, "If you give a heartfelt meal to monks who are completing their summer ascetic practices, you will be able to rescue your mother.” Mokuren did as he was told and was able to rescue his mother. He was so happy that he freed his mother from hell, he danced with joy! Buddha taught him that it is important to offer generosity not only to his mother but also to all. This story and the ancient Japanese custom of offering to ancestors are combined to form the
current Obon Festival tradition where people offer thanks to their parents and ancestors, and make offerings to all spirits.
Obon is the period during which the spirits of ancestors and those who have passed away return home. Chochin lanterns displayed on the Yagura brightly light up so that they do not lose their way to their destination. During Obon, families clean Buddhist altars and graves together, offer flowers, incense, and food, and sincerely welcome the spirits of their returning ancestors. At Mantokuji, you will see families picnicking with their ancestors at their gravesites. Obon is an important event that
brings us and people of the world in contact with our loved ones who have passed away.
I look forward to seeing you all at the Obon Festival on July 8. Let's dance with all our hearts!
-- Tomoki Hirasawa
Date: Thursday, June 29th, 2023
Time: 3:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Cost: Free
Categories: Party / Celebration / Dance, FREE, Dancing, Cultural / Ethnic, Church / Spiritual
Mantokuji Zen Mission of Paia located at 253 Hana Hwy across from Paia Community Center, Paia, HI 96779 in North Maui
Phone: 808-579-8051 Email: info@paiamantokuji.org Website: www.paiamantokuji.org
Our Mission: Paia Mantokuji is a Soto Zen Buddhist temple founded in 1906 by a community of Japanese
immigrants. Our mission is to be a place of compassion, respect, and kindness for all who seek truth
through the teachings of Buddha, the practice of Zen meditation and arts, and the fellowship of the temple sangha.
Contact: Carol Murayama Phone: 808-579-8051
Email: Website: https://www.paiamantokuji.com
