PASADENA — Pasadena Buddhist Temple, 1993 Glen Ave., Pasadena, hosts its annual Obon Festival on July 14-15.
Obon is the Japanese name for a Buddhist festival that honors the memory of relatives and friends who have passed away. Pasadena Buddhist Temple welcomes all to attend this “Celebration of Joy” in gratitude to all of our predecessors who have enabled us to enjoy the life we live today.
The Obon Festival centers around the Bon Odori (Obon dances). Everyone is invited to join in, “just dance,” and be accepted as we are. Dancing starts at 6:30 p.m.
In addition, there will be food booths, martial arts demonstrations, exhibits of bonsai and ikebana, an exhibit on “The Buddhist Experience in the Internment Camps,” craft vendors, a silent auction featuring some Japanese antiques, bingo, tea ceremony and taiko performances. The temple sanctuary will be open for viewing and tours from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Visit the temple website for more information: www.PasadenaBuddhistTemple.org.
Saturday Demonstrations
5:00 p.m. — Qigong
5:30 p.m. — Judo
6:00 p.m. — Aikido
6:30 p.m. — Bon Odori
7:00 p.m. — L.A. Matsuri Taiko
Sunday Demonstrations
4:15 p.m. — Tea ceremony
5:15 p.m. — Kendo
5:45 p.m. — Naginata
6:30 p.m. — Bon Odori
7:00 p.m. — Taiko Center of L.A.
Vendors:
Heritage Source (books)
Happy Shirts
Pat on the Back
Spicy Brown
KisaNoreen (jewelry)
KofyKovers
Information Tables:
Nikkei Gardens (Saturday)
Pacific Asia Museum (Sunday)
Food Booths:
Chicken teriyaki
Beef chow mein
Cold soba
Maki sushi and inari sushi (Saturday only)
Chirashi rice (Sunday only)
Snow cones, including kintoki
Chili rice, hot dogs, chili dogs
Grilled corn
Kettle corn