Berkeley Temples to Hold Joint Bon Odori on Saturday

Obon dancers at Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple in 2014.

BERKELEY — Berkeley’s annual Bon Odori will take place Saturday, July 9, at 6:30 p.m. at Berkeley Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple, 1524 Oregon St. in Berkeley.

Berkeley Higashi and Berkeley Buddhist Temple jointly hold the event and take turns hosting it.

The last dance practice will be held at Berkeley Higashi on Thursday, July 7, from 7:30 to 9 p.m., led by the Hanayagi Dance School. Everyone is invited to participate.

Obon is an annual event to commemorate our ancestors. It is a time of gratitude, giving and joy. Traditionally, lanterns are hung in front of houses, Obon dances are performed, and food offerings are made at house altars and temples.

Berkeley Higashi’s Obon service will be held on Sunday, July 10, at 2 p.m. following morning visits to Sunset View Cemetery and Chapel of the Chimes.

Berkeley Buddhist will hold ohakamairi services on Saturday at Sunset View at 9:30 a.m. and Chapel of the Chimes at 12:30 p.m. and Hatsubon/Obon services on Sunday at 9:30 a.m. at the temple, located at 2121 Channing Way.

Berkeley Higashi will hold its Summer Bazaar, a 60-year tradition, on Saturday, July 23, from 4 to 8 p.m. and Sunday, July 24, from 12 to 5 p.m. Eat home-style Japanese foods such as oden (country stew), the temple’s signature kushi-katsu (tempura-style beef skewers), sushi, udon noodles with original broth, chicken teriyaki, chili dogs, grilled hamburgers and more. Plus children’s games, crafts, and items for sale. Visit old friends and make new ones.

For more information on these and other events, contact:

Berkeley Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple, (510) 843-6933, www.bombu.org

Berkeley Buddhist Temple, (510) 841-1356, www.berkeleysangha.org