Buddhist Thoughts is the SLC Buddhist Temple newsletter which is mailed to Temple members each month. Here we provide excerpts from archival Buddhist Thoughts.

2004 May

Why We Dance
by J.K. Hirano

Though I, my life having run its course,

Return to the Pure Land of Eternal Rest,

Come back shall I to Earth again and again

Even as the waves of Wakano-ura Bay.

When alone you rejoice in the Sacred Teachings

Believe that there are two.

And when there are two to rejoice

Believe that there are three.

And that other shall be I Shinran.

The first Obon is said to have been held in China in 538 CE. As Buddhism traveled from China to Korea, from Korea to Japan and now into the United States, the meaning and type of Obon festivities have evolved depending on the culture of the country. In Japan, where Jodo Shinshu finds its roots, Obon is often explained as the time when Buddhists welcome the souls of their ancestors for a three-day visit to the world of the living. This is quite contrary to the beliefs of our celebration of Obon. In orthodox Buddhism, especially Jodo Shinshu, there is no such thing as an eternal soul, unique and distinct to each individual. Therefore, there can be no nether worlds occupied by disembodied souls floating about, returning once a year, demanding sacrifices and offerings from the living and then dispensing benefits or curses accordingly. This explanation of Obon is nothing more than a simplistic folk superstition that will not suffice for our Jodo Shinshu system of belief.

The Obon and Hatsubon service along with the Bon odori are not a mere cultural entertainment. It is not a quaint addition to the cultural diversity of our Salt Lake Community. Although our Obon Festival is a time when a wide variety of individuals come together to celebrate along with us. The entire weekend is a memorial service for the dead and an acknowledgment and celebration of the continuing influence of our deceased relatives upon our present lives. Thus a celebration of we the living at this moment in time. For we are profoundly molded and influenced by the past actions in thought, speech and the physical acts of our ancestors. Those past actions continue to affect who and what we are at this moment. We in turn affect the future, as a result of the actions we create. It is a revolving cycle of birth and death from moment to moment. This awareness speaks to us at the deepest levels that we are not alone. Our Obon Festival and Obon and Hatsubon service is a wonderful opportunity to remember those who have died, accepting and forgiving in our continuing relationship with them. As we prepare for the Obon Festival with the dance practices and food preparations, let us not forget all those that have come before us, to allow us this wonderful celebration.

As a child I remember coming to the practices and seeing all the other children and adults laughing and having fun. It was a positive reinforcement of the life of my temple. The hundreds of people who came for the Bon odori, made me proud to be a Buddhist. This was a time when I realized the Nembutsu teaching was not only for Sunday mornings. Over the years, I have come to see how much work is involved to bring about those wonderful memories. Now I am able to see, speak and act in ways to show those involved in Obons past, that their efforts were worth the time and energy expended.

Now I will bring my daughters Kacie and Taylor, to see their parents, family and friends enjoy this time together. In time we will speak about how their Grandmother loved dancing in the Obon. How the cedar chest at Grandpa's house filled with Yukatas and other Japanese paraphernalia belonged to their Grandma who is no longer physically with us. Through our dancing and participation in the service, I will show them that Grandma is still a part of us, embracing, laughing and enjoying this time we share.

I can explain to them how the poem I began this article with, is Shinran's understanding of how our past relationships continue to influence the life we live. How as we dance in Obon or recite the Nembutsu, their grandmother is there with them, along with Shinran and countless of others. My hope will be that in their time and turn. They will be able to share these insights with their children and grandchildren. As our temple continues to prosper in the light of Amida's wondrous compassion. Won't you join us in this wonderful event? You are never too old to dance, never too old to say Namo Amida Butsu! I would like to close this month's article with one of my favorite poems about Bon odori. It was written by Rev. Mas Kodani and is included in his book Dharma Chatter,  it=s called Senshin Bon Odori.  However, for all it=s meaning.  It could be called Salt Lake Bon Odori. Even though you are happy, you should dance. Even though you are sad, you should dance. Even though you are excited with living, you should dance. Even though you are bored with living, you should dance.

Even though you are embarrassed to put on Yukata and Geta and dance, you should dance. Even though you put on Yukata and Geta and swagger like a puffed-up chicken, you should dance. When old friends come to visit, you smile and laugh and act the fool. Why then so timid and somber when remembering your ancestors? As a leaf falls from a tree and flutters to the ground, showing all sides of itself, front and back, so should you dance. Even though you are a congealed mass of greed, anger, stupidity, you should dance. Even though you are an enlightened saint, you should dance. Dance not for form, dance not for show, dance not for grace, dance not awkwardly to conceal your awkwardness, dance not for identity, dance not for Japaneseyness. Dance to dance; your ancestors and relatives are your ancestors and relatives because they are your ancestors and relatives; dance to dance because you dance. Heavy, Heavy, Odore, Odore! Bummer, Bummer, Odore, Odore!

Kekko, Kekko, Odore, Odore! Chikusho, Shikusho, Odore, Odore! Bonno no katamari, Bodai no Jiyu. Soku Soku, Toku Toku Amidabutsu. Kekko Kekko, Odore Odore! Odoranu Aho-san, Odore Odore!

Namuamidabutsu, tada Odore!

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