Obon Segaki Service

Mid July

     Obon has been considered a memorial day for Buddhists.  The word "obon" means to uproot suffering and pain.  On this day we recall the warm memories of our departed loved ones and foster a relation between the living and deceased.  The Japanese believe that the spirits of the departed return to earth on Obon Day.  
    The ritual of Obon originated at the time of Buddha in India.  From the legend of Moggallana, food and water are offered to the deceased.  The religious act of sprinkling water over wooden tablets (kyogi) with the written names of the deceased is called Segaki.  Candlelight is offered by families and friends who have lost a loved one since the previous year's Obon.