Rev. Katsu on the Importance of Living in the Moment
Posted on by Connor McKinney
Seattle Bon Odori
Posted on by Connor McKinney
The Origin of Obon
Posted on by Alex Sakamoto
Obon season has come. “Obon (お盆)” is an abbreviation of “Urabon”. There are three theories about the origin of “Urabon”.
• ullambana or avalambana (Sanskrit) which means “hanging upside down”
• urvan (ancient Iranian, Avestan) which means “spirit”.
• “Ura” came from odana or olaha (Sanskrit) rice / food. “bon” means tray. “Urabon” originally means “a tray to serve food/rice to monks”.