Today marks the beginning of the three-day Obon Festival (13 August - 15 August)!
Obon is a festival which revolves around the reverence and honouring of one's ancestors. During these three days, the spirits of our ancestors return to the world and visit their families. To me, Obon is also a time for us to reflect on the many generations which have come before us, and the many more which will follow us. It is also a time to appreciate the family we have living with us currently.
It is customary, for someone celebrating Obon, to leave out food offerings to their ancestors at either a temple, shrine, or home altar. Here's my altar, and my offering of salt, tea, water and rice. :=):
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So, do you practice any form of ancestral veneration? Will you be doing anything to honour your ancestors this Obon, or just in general? How do you think that we can best act in our daily lives to bring honour to our ancestors? I would love to hear your opinions and views on theses topics, and discussion is welcome outside of these topics of course. :^^:
"Walking, I am listening to a deeper way. Suddenly all my ancestors are behind me. Be still, they say. Watch and listen. You are the result of the love of thousands." - Linda Hogan
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