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HOLLINGSWORTHS’ INC. ARGUS OBSERVER, THURSDAY, JUNE 28, 2012 / INDEPENDENT ENTERPRISE, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 27, 2012
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“I would love to do that.” Instead, the Buddhist temple has a special Obon service in June during which people who have lost a family member in the past year are invited to attend and light a lantern placed at the altar with that person’s name, date of birth and date of death on it. The most important aspect of Obon, however, which is done at all Obon celebrations, regardless of their location is the Obon Odori dance, Fujimoto said. “What’s nice about that is everybody is welcome,” Fujimoto said. “Everyone in the community is urged to participate.” He said the point of the dance is
not whether people are good dancers, know the moves or are familiar with the dance at all let alone do it perfectly. He said the point of the dance is a way for people to join together as a community, break down the ego-centric shells they usually hide behind — never mind if they are good or lousy or if they have to look good or be perfect any other time — to drop all that and “just be.” “And that is a spiritual moment,” he said. “That’s the most important thing. That’s what makes it significant to the Buddhist teaching. The colors, the costumes, the food all add flavor, but the dancing is the most important part of Obon.”
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Taiko drums are a popular part of the Obon Festival, and taiko drum rhythms may be a signature for a different area, but the Obon celebration does not change.
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