Our Obon Festival will be held on August 2 this year at the Denver Buddhist Temple (1947 Lawrence St.). The Japanese Obon Festival, is also known as the Festival of the Dead or the Lantern Festival. It combines the Japanese belief in ancestral spirits with Buddhist practices of honoring those who have gone before us, with and through whom we are all connected. Our festival consists of two parts, a service and Obon Odori (festival dancing).
Join us for our Hatsubon Memorial Service, a memorial service held during the first Obon season after a loved one has died, at 3pm. If you would like to request a candle to light during the service for a loved one who has passed away in the last year, please contact us at with their name.
Obon dancing will begin at 6pm in the parking lot between the Temple and Pacific Mercantile. Everyone is invited to participate. We will have practices to learn and practice the dances on July 29, 30, and 31 from 7-9pm in the temple gym. You may attend any of those!
Please note that there is time between the service and dancing for people to get something to eat. Sangha Members will provide a meal of pulled pork sandwiches and salad in the Auditorium after the Hatsubon Service and before Obon Odori (Dancing) begins on Saturday, August 2. There is no charge for the meal; donations are gratefully accepted.
Also, there is an afternoon Rockies game that day, which may affect parking availability; please plan accordingly.
There will be no service on Sunday, August 3.
