Category: Minister’s Messages
“Why We come to Temple” by Rinban Kusunoki
Rev. Katsu on the Importance of Living in the Moment
The Origin of Obon
Obon season has come. “Obon (お盆)” is an abbreviation of “Urabon”. There are three theories about the origin of “Urabon”.
• ullambana or avalambana (Sanskrit) which means “hanging upside down”
• urvan (ancient Iranian, Avestan) which means “spirit”.
• “Ura” came from odana or olaha (Sanskrit) rice / food. “bon” means tray. “Urabon” originally means “a tray to serve food/rice to monks”.