We are in the midst of the Obon holidays in Japan.
Obon is a series of Buddhist memorial services for family ancestors which generally takes place on August 14 and on 15. To put it more precisely, when the event takes place depends on the sect you belong to or the local area you live in. My family belongs to the Soto sect and the services of Obon actually start earlier in August.
Every year, this is the time when many Japanese visit family graves in
temples together along with family members who usually live apart such
as children with families of their own. It’s a big family reunion.
However, this year, due to the coronavirus pandemic, things are quite different.
In order to avoid close contact, our temple has decided to minimize Obon
memorial services. They have also limited the number of visitors from
one family. The other day, at the beginning of the Obon, two people from
one family were allowed to attend the service with a mask on in
accordance with the service time schedule. The temple main hall used to
be full of families coming in and out the whole day, exchanging
greetings with one another—but not this year. There was no opportunity
for us to talk with the principle monk and his family in person, and no
tea service to relax with after the prayers either. We just gave a
simple bow in greeting and farewell from a distance.
On August 15th, the last day of the Obon, the memorial service for our
ancestors won't be an exception. This time, four members from one family
will be allowed to participate in the memorial service in the main
hall.
Surprisingly enough, many other temples have also suspended the Obon
memorial services in their halls and have decided to provide memorial
services via the Zoom meeting instead. We had never expected that IT
technology would prevail in our traditional practices at temples and at
home.
I know the temples took a drastic measure to prevent us from infection.
Yet, it's sad that we are forced to change our tradition. No one can
tell what Obon will look like next year.
No matter what, it’s time for us to remember our ancestors, including
our parents who left us not so long ago, and to pray to them for
protection at our family altar.
