2025 Obon

Saturday, July 12, 2025

Japantown Street Salt Lake City

3pm - Japanese food

7pm- Hawaiian dancing and taiko drumming

8pm - Traditional dancing

9pm - Intermission

Dance Practices

Every Monday through Thursday starting June 30th 7pm to 9pm in the temple gymnasium

What is Obon?

Obon is held on the 2nd Saturday in July, and is the largest festival of the year. The festival and the Obon memorial service are held in recognition of a story found in the Ulambana Sutra. The story concerns one of Shakyamuni Buddha's ten great disciples, Mogallana. In the sutra, Mogallana learns the true meaning of gratitude through the life and death of his deceased mother and the help of Shakyamuni Buddha. At his realization, Mogallana's joy was so great that he began to dance. To commemorate this legend one of the highlights of the Obon festival is the dancing by the Sangha and others from the community.