DBZ: O-Bon

Join us for this beautiful and moving ceremony where we honor our ancestors, family members, and other loved ones who have passed away, as well as the hungry ghosts within and outside us. O-Bon begins on Friday evening as we welcome the spirits of our ancestors and deceased loved ones with a welcoming fire. On Saturday we paint their names on paper lanterns and gather for the O-Bon dinner offering. Afterward, we hold the traditional chanting service that includes calling the names of the deceased, followed by a teisho from Chigan Roshi. We then light our lanterns and make a silent, candle-lit procession to the bank of Beecher Lake, where, chanting Namu Dai Bosa, we float the glowing lanterns across the dark waters. A bonfire and festive refreshments complete the evening. On Sunday morning, we gather in the zendo for a short morning service and zazen, followed by an informal breakfast.  

 The fee for in person attendance is $250 for Supporting Members and $275 for nonmembers. Please consider becoming a Supporting Member. The fee for online participation is $50 for members and $75 for nonmembers.  ZSS Health Protocols apply.

If you are not attending and would like the names of your deceased family or friends to be read aloud during the ceremony, please click here to make an optional contribution, and email the names to the the office by August 7.

Watch O-Bon 2022 Video