Utah Buddhists Observe Festival for Deceased

July 11, 2009

Author: Pamela Manson

Source: The Buddhist Channel/The Salt Lake Tribune

http://www.buddhistchannel.tv/index.php?id=65,8352,0,0,1,0

Named plaques of the members of the Buddhist temple who died since the last Obon are displayed in a place of reverence near the "Onaijin" inside the Buddhist Temple.

For almost 100 years, Buddhism has been a part of Utah life. And on Saturday, the Salt Lake Buddhist Temple commemorated followers who have gone before with its annual Oban festival.

The temple, a Jodo Shinshu sect that is affiliated with the Buddhist Churches of America, displayed a small plaque for each member who had died in the past year. Flowers decorated the altar and incense was burned as an offering.

The festival also included a Taiko drum performance, dancing and food.