Shelf Sutra (Obon Festival)

The Obon festival at Shokoji Temple is a ceremony to express gratitude to our ancestors who have passed away in the Pure Land for always watching over us. The ceremony is held for each family either in the main hall of the temple or at the tomb (ossuary).

Our ancestors respond to our feelings and come to visit us during the Obon period. We face our ancestors to reflect and recall their teachings and nagging. We get angry when they nag us. This is because what they are saying is obvious, it is correct, and the person being told is not able to do it. However, accepting such important nagging with gratitude and applying it to our actions from the next day will improve the quality of our lives thereafter. In other words, it will allow us to live a happier life.

Through memorial services, we can face our ancestors, reflect on ourselves, improve the quality of our lives, and reaffirm our determination to live a better life. We then chant the Nembutsu so that we can be welcomed into the same Pure Land at the end.

Please apply using the form below.