Obon

If the purpose of Buddhist practice is to let the ego fall away and realize liberation from attachment to “me” and “mine,” then I am hard-pressed to think of a better ground for this practice than Obon dancing.  Obon dancing is not a show; it is a Buddhist tradition through which the Dharma transforms our lives quite outside our own efforts.

In the midst of this world where there is so much conflict, Obon dancing is a powerful way to bring harmony into our lives.  I recall an Obon dance I took part in during my early years as a minister.  As the dancing was about to begin, our dance instructors dressed in beautiful summer yukata gathered in a small circle at the center of the church parking lot.  A crowd quickly gathered around them.  About half of the crowd was made up of experienced Obon dancers who had come to join the dancing.  However, it was many of the attendees’ first encounter with Obon dancing, and not knowing what to expect, they jostled their way toward the center in anticipation of a performance by those beautifully dressed dancers.