Oxnard Buddhist Temple Welcomes Obon Celebrants

July 10, 2010

Author: Anne Kallas

Source: The Buddhist Channel/Ventura County Star

http://www.buddhistchannel.tv/index.php?id=65,9338,0,0,1,0

Smoke wafting from racks of beef teriyaki Saturday announced the 55th Obon Festival, sponsored by and held at Oxnard Buddhist Temple, well before visitors reached the site where music, martial arts demonstrations, bonsai, dance and an abundance of food awaited. Rance Kudo, co-treasurer and spokesman for the temple, said the Obon Festival celebrates traditional Japanese culture while providing a way to reach out.

“This is just a tradition we developed to gather the whole community to enjoy our culture,” Kudo said. “We do this while celebrating the temple and paying respects to those who have passed.”