Can the practices of Buddhism change your life?
Our Monthly Nichiren Shu service, which includes reciting portions of Chapters 2 and 16 of the Lotus Sutra and chanting Namu-Myoho-Renge-Kyo. This will also include purification service offered by our Minister and education on the meaning of Obon!
If you are interested in Buddhism and wish to learn more about our practices, this is a great opportunity to meet our community and beginners who are just starting their journey! All are welcome.
-----
This month we will be celebrating Obon.
Obon is an abbreviation of Urabon-e, which is a transliteration of the Indian word “ullambana,” a word that denotes the suffering that comes from being hung upside-down.
Among the Buddha’s disciples, there was one named Maudgalyayana who possessed exceptional divine powers. In Japan he is known as Mokuren. By means of his divine powers he sought to see what was happening to his mother after her death, only to find she had fallen into and was suffering in the hell of hungry spirits. Whatever she tried to eat turned into fire and could not be eaten. Mokuren was shocked at seeing his mother suffering as much as if she had been hung upside down and he sought the counsel of the Buddha. The Buddha then taught his disciples to donate food and pray for their mothers’ happiness on July 15, the day that their rainy season practices came to an end. From this event, “ullambana,” which venerates one’s ancestors, came to be carried out on July 15. In Japan this merged with the folk custom of ancestor worship, which had its origin in the most ancient times and became a unique custom. The first Obon was said to have been observed on July 15 in the year 606 during the time of the Empress Suiko.
Join us on July 20 to celebrate Obon and honor your ancestors.
Also check out other Nonprofit events in Lincolnwood.
