Bon Odori at Nishi Hongwanji’s 2019 Obon Festival.
Los Angeles Hompa Hongwanji Temple (Nishi Hongwanji) has announced that this year’s Obon will be on Sunday, July 13, only.
Although Nishi was not affected by the recent activities in Downtown Los Angeles, it is out of an abundance of caution that the Temple Board decided to limit this event to one day.
“Extra precautions are in place to assure the safety of attendees to this much anticipated annual community event and major fundraiser for the temple.” said Ken Kawasaki, temple president.
Founded in 1905, Nishi Hongwanji, located at 815 E. First St. in Little Tokyo, has celebrated Obon, a Buddhist tradition, since then. Rimban William Briones, head temple minister, welcomes all to this year’s Obon.
In the Jodo Shinshu Buddhist tradition, Obon is more than a time to remember our ancestorst— it is known as The Gathering of Joy. It is a season of reflection, gratitude, and spiritual return.
“Obon is gratitude awakened by awareness,” said Rev. Hibiki Murakami, a minister of the temple. “It’s a time to reflect with appreciation on the lives of those who came before us. In the rush of daily life, we rarely pause to recognize the countless moments and connections that sustain us. Through friendship, solidarity, and spiritual awareness, we ‘return’ to this moment—reminding ourselves of the deep ties we share with all beings.”
Obon will be held on July 13 from 12 noon to 6 p.m. Food sales will begin at noon serving teriyaki chicken, beef and salmon, chirashi, Spam musubi, boba tea and chili rice, just to name a few. Nishi Center will be selling snow cones. There will be a Used Book Sale table and “History of Nishi” and “Buddhists in WWII Camps” exhibits.
Performances by Taiko Ichiza, ABAsonics and students from the Nishi Child Development Center will be in the Kaikan. Obon Odori will start at 3:30 p.m. in the Wwest parking lot. The last odori practice will be on Sunday, July 6, at 11:30 a.m. in the Kaikan.
Limited parking will be available in the temple lots, and also in the surrounding area.
For further information: www.nishihongwanji-la.org, Instagram – la_nishihongwanji, Facebook — Los Angeles Hompa Hongwanji Temple, email — info@nishihongwanji-la.org