About this video
- Video Title: 盆行事①（到達目標、概念規定、歴史）
- Channel: 橋本章彦
- Speakers: 橋本章彦
- Duration: 00:14:33
Overview
This video, presented by Akihiko Hashimoto, explores the Japanese Obon festival as a means to understand the fundamental aspects of Japanese views on religion and the soul. It aims to clarify the concepts of "tama" (soul) and "dama" (a term related to Buddhist concepts of rebirth and suffering) by examining the Obon rituals. The video discusses the origins and historical development of the Obon festival in Japan, from its introduction from China as a temple ritual to its eventual integration into folk customs.
Key takeaways
- Reaching the Goal: The video's objective is to understand the Japanese concept of the soul and the "dama" idea through the lens of the Obon festival.
- Concept Definition: "Dama" is presented in katakana to emphasize it represents an internal image or concept within the Japanese psyche, rather than an external cultural form.
- Obon Festival Basics: Obon is an ancestral memorial service held in July or August, often performed as "Segaki-e" or "Sechi-e" in temples, or as a time when ancestral spirits are believed to return home to spend time with family.
- Traditional Origin Story: The traditional origin of Obon is linked to the Buddhist scripture "Urabonkyo," which recounts the story of Maudgalyayana (Mokuren) saving his mother from the realm of hungry ghosts.
- Historical Development of Obon:
- Introduced to Japan around the 7th century as a temple ritual.
- Became a court event during the Nara and Heian periods.
- Spread to the general populace around the 10th century.
- Underwent significant changes in the Muromachi period, leading to the formation of the modern Obon practices.
- Post-Meiji Restoration, the timing shifted from July to August due to the adoption of the solar calendar.
- Debate on Origins: There's skepticism about the direct Buddhist origin of the Obon scripture, as original Sanskrit or Tibetan versions are not found, and the content shows strong Chinese influences (Confucianism, etc.). It is considered more likely to be a text compiled in China.
- Alternative Theory of Origin: A prominent theory suggests "Obon" derives from the Sogdian word "urvan," meaning "spirit of the dead." This practice, originating from the Samarkand region, was introduced to China and merged with harvest festivals, later combining with Buddhist beliefs to form the prototype of today's Obon.
- Early Records in Japan: The earliest written records in Japan mentioning events related to Obon date back to the 7th century, with "Nihon Shoki" referencing rituals on July 15th. The term "Obon" appears in records from 657 AD.
- Evolution and Folk Integration: By the 14th century, Obon rituals were practiced by both officials and commoners. The "Konjaku Monogatari-shu" (Tales of the Past and Present) from the 12th century describes a poor woman preparing an offering for Obon, highlighting the necessity of food as an offering and the symbolic meaning of the containers used. The location mentioned in the story, "Rokudo-no-tsuji," is significant as it was considered a boundary between the living and the dead.
