The month July is the month of Obon. We gather to celebrate, remember and express gratitude to all family who have died.  Each person we remember represents a light that burns brightly in our hearts and minds.  In Buddhism we describe those who continue to influence our lives as their continuing life and light. 

            Light is extremely important to us in our lives.  There are two aspects of light. First there is the light that allows us to see.  A bulb lights a room, the sun lights the day, the moon shines it light on us. The second aspect of light is that it gives us evidence of existence.  As we drive our car at night the headlight help us see what is ahead of us.  This is what we in Buddhism call the light of Dharma or the Light of Truth. 

The difference is that the Light of the Dharma or the Light of Truth is a light that reveals to us our true nature.  That is it helps us see things clearly It is a light that reveals to us truths about life.  That is it reveals the true existence of change. 

Each of the people who have come into our lives and have died  are a light in our life that reveal to us our true nature.  At a time like Obon  more now than ever, we are made to reflect on all that they did for us and all that we are is a result of their lives.  And their light shows us the reality of the frailty of life and the changes that are always surrounding us.

Unlike the light bulb or the headlights on our car, we cannot see these lights with our eyes.  The most important things in our lives we cannot see with these eyes.  We cannot see love, friendship, caring, trust and compassion.  But to live without these would be impossible.  We can only see what is most important in your life with the eyes of your mind and heart. 

Kaneko Daiei said:

A clear cloudless night with a bright shining moon.  If I look at the moon it is beautiful and bright, but my vision is narrow and limited.  I stand here on this earth and the moon is thousands of miles away in the sky. 

If I reverse the thinking, reverse the direction of looking and say. “The moon looks at me’ “The moon sees me” 

Then I the so called seer of the moon, become illuminated by the light of the moon, and all that exists around me becomes illuminated.  I am able to sense even the tiny dewdrop that reflects the moons light. 

Our loved ones who have died, are what the Buddha called the incomprehensible, joyous, majestically flaming, boundless light that illuminates us.    All we need to do is open our eyes of the heart and mind and see the truth they reveal to us at Obon.

Schedule of Events:

12:00 Noon – Opening Ceremony with Shinsho Mugen Daiko, Monterey (Taiko)

12:30 pm – Monterey Bonsai Group

1:00 pm – Shorinji Kempo

1:30 pm – Ohara School Ikebana

2:00 pm – Aikido of Monterey

2:00 pm – Brief Introduction to Buddhism, Rev. Jay Shinseki

2:30 pm – Michael Hattori – Koto

3:00 pm – Seibukan Jujitsu

3:30 pm – Bando-Mitsuhiro Kai (Buyo Japanese Dance)

4:00 pm – Salinas Kendo Dojo

4:30 pm – Royal Court 2010 – Story of the Pacific Grove Feast of Lanterns

5:00 pm – Shinsho Mugen Daiko (Taiko)

5:30 pm – Obon Service

6:00 pm – Bon Odori - Dance

6:30 pm – Raffle Drawing

Food choices include tempura prepared by chefs from local Japanese restaurants, sushi, spam musubi, beef and chicken teriyaki, udon, yakisoba(fried noodles), kushi katsu (fried pork), gyoza, and shaved ice.  Day-long entertainment features martial arts demonstrations, Japanese dancers, koto music and Taiko drumming.  In the evening, the colorful Obon Odori, or community Japanese folk dancing, will begin. Dancers often wear kimono or happi coats.   The day wraps up with a raffle drawing (attendance not mandatory) – numerous prizes donated by local businesses will be awarded along with the grand prize of $1,000.