Obon season celebrates ancestors through unified dances, traditional activities

While the season of Obon is typically celebrated by Buddhists in Japan, it brings together people of all backgrounds in celebration across Kauaʻi.

The bon dance is a Buddhist tradition that varies regionally and has been practiced for more than 600 years. The style of dance is meant to welcome, celebrate, and appreciate ancestors and loved ones who have passed away.

“Bon season is a time for us all to come together as family and friends to honor the life of our loved ones,” said Rev. Hirosato Yoshida with Kauaʻi Soto Zen. “Every single person in this world has a mother, a father, grandparents, great-grandparents, and it leads to our ancestors. With each of its generations bringing life to the next, we exist.”

The Kauaʻi bon dances and other Buddhist programs and activities are governed by the Kauaʻi Buddhist Council, a collaboration of six of the island’s Buddhist temples and churches.

The dances are performed in unison and involve simple hand and foot movements. Temples often host practices for several weeks before the season; however, anyone can join in during the dances or watch the festivities.

“If you are our local friends, dance the night away with joy and gratitude. If you are traveling, please stop by and ring the bell for your loved ones,” said Yoshida. “Let us take the time to remember what our significant loved ones who passed on left us and appreciate it. Without them, we do not exist, but most importantly, it is their love that perpetuates beyond time and is engraved in our hearts and spirit.”

Obon celebrations on Kauaʻi typically begin in June and continue through August. This year, six dances will be held on Fridays and Saturdays at the island’s six temples and are open to the public.

Bon dances are also an annual source of income for Buddhist temples across the state, helping to sustain their general operations, community programs, and upkeep of their historic buildings and facilities.

Locations and dates of the dances are listed below:

• June 13-14: Waimea Shingon Mission at 6 p.m.
• June 20-21: Līhuʻe Hongwanji Mission at 6 p.m.
• June 27-28: Kauaʻi Soto Zen Temple at 5 p.m.
• July 4-5: No Bon Dance
• July 11-12: West Kauaʻi Hongwanji – Hanapepe Temple at 6 p.m.
• July 18-19: Kapaʻa Hongwanji Mission at 7:30 p.m.
• July 25-26: Waimea Higashi Hongwanji Mission at 6 p.m.

For more information, visit the Kauaʻi Buddhist Council website, or call the Buddhist temples listed above.