Obon Festival at Vista Buddhist Temple

VISTA — Vista Buddhist Temple, 150 Cedar Rd. in Vista, will hold its Obon Festival on Saturday and Sunday, July 26-27, from 12 noon to 8 p.m., with Bon Odori on both days.

The schedule is as follows:

Saturday, July 26

1 p.m.: Taiko performance by Jodaiko (“passionate drumming”), a collegiate taiko group based on the main campus of UC Irvine.

1:45 p.m.: Sumie-e demonstration by Kazue Kawamata.

2:30 p.m.: Introduction to Bon Odori by Elaine Marume. Learn and practice some of the popular Japanese folk dances in preparation for the evening of dancing.

3:15 p.m.: Aikido demonstration by Sensei Janine Williams of Encinitas Aikido.

4 p.m.: Introduction to Buddhism by Rev. Jon Turner from Orange County Buddhist Church.

5:15 p.m.: Drumming by Junior Taiko Group and Shokenji Taiko (adult group) of Vista Buddhist Temple.

6:30 to 7:45 p.m.: Bon Odori. Everyone is invited to join in the dance circle. No special attire or experience is required. The dances consist of simple, repetitive movements that tell stories about coal miners, farmers, country life, and more, all accompanied by the rhythmic beat of a taiko drum.

Sunday, July 27

1 p.m.: Drumming by Naruwan Taiko. Naruwan means “welcome” in the indigenous Taiwanese Ami language.

1:45 p.m.: Yukata and summer kimono fashion show by San Diego Kimono Club; kimono dressing and rental by Yuko Niwa. A colorful fashion show featuring the yukata (informal, cotton kimono); ro or sha (semi-formal summer kimono made of sheer or silk gauze material); and different styles of obi (sash) musubi knots.

2:30 p.m.: Introduction to Bon Odori by Elaine Marume.

3:15 p.m.: Performance by Yuki Easter and the Southern California Koto Ensemble.

4:15 p.m.: Introduction to Buddhism Rev. Bill Dearth from Orange County Buddhist Church.

5:15 p.m.: Drumming by Junior Taiko Group and Shokenji Taiko.

6:30 to 7:45 p.m.: Bon Odori.

The festival will also feature:

• Exhibit: “Ken Shin: Seer of Truth,” images from Nishi Hongwanji, Jodo Shinshu’s mother temple in Kyoto. These photographs, captured by Felix Bonomo, a member of Vista Buddhist Temple, were taken during the 841st anniversary of the birth Jodo Shinshu’s founder, Shinran Shonin. They are visual expressions of Shinran’s vision of the truth, as revealed in the everyday life of the temple and its members. This exhibit will be displayed in the temple main hall on Saturday from 12 to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 12 to 2:20 p.m.

• Silent auction of Asian items.

• Crafts: Mieko Tanaka and her students from the Rainbow Bead Flower School will display intricate flower arrangements made from beads and also sell a variety of beaded craft items.

• Japanese brush painting: Display of artwork as well as sale of sumi-e notecards and T-shirts by the Vista Sum-ie Class, Sumi-e Art Club, and Kazue Kawamata.

• Buddhist Bookstore.

• Fresh produce and cut flowers and plants for sale.

• Tupperware for sale.

• Food for sale until 6 p.m. or until sold out. Main dishes: beef teriyaki, chicken teriyaki, hot dogs, Japanese curry (vegetarian), Okinawan soba noodle soup, somen noodle salad, Spam musubi, sushi, udon noodle soup, won ton, yakisoba noodles (vegetarian). Sweet treats: fruit salad, manju, mochi ice cream, snow cones and kintoki snow cones, taiyaki.

• Goldfish game and other carnival games and prizes for children.

• Raffle ($2 per ticket). First prize: $1,000; second prize: $500; third prize: $100 in gift certificates; plus many additional prizes.

Festival parking is free. You can park in the temple parking lot, on the street, or on the second and third floors of the Scripps Medical Center parking structure next door (first floor is for patient parking only).

For more information, call (760) 941-8800 or visit www.vbtemple.org.