San Jose Obon Resources

The Obon Story

     One day one of Buddha's disciples, or followers, named Mokuren, had a vision of his mother, who had passed away. He saw his mother in the realm of hungry ghosts, a place full of suffering. Mokuren asked Buddha what he could do to help his mother and release her from the suffering. Buddha told Mokuren to make an offering to the Buddhist monks who completed their retreat on the 15th day of the 7th month. Mokuren did as he was told and his mother was released from the realm of hungry ghosts. As his mother was released, Mokuren realized how many unselfish acts of kindness his mother had done for him when she had been alive. He began to dance with joy and this dance later became known as Bon Odori, the festive dance done every year on the 15th day of the 7th month in celebration of our deceased ancestors and their achievements.