Source: San Jose Mercury News
http://www.mercurynews.com/centralcoast/ci_12873931?nclick_check=1
The Obon Festival at the Watsonville Buddhist Temple is an annual celebration of spiritual ancestry and heritage.
Festivalgoers spent the day honoring the memory of their descendents on Sunday.
"Obon is to extend our appreciation to our ancestors," said the Rev. Shousei Hanayama, the resident minister. Hanayama said the temple had lost 21 members since last year's festival.
"The festival is here to observe the people that had passed away, not just this year but in the past," said festival organizer Terry Hirahara.
He said many people in their busy lives don't have the time to show their gratitude, so the daylong festival presents an opportunity for them to do so.