Welcome to BCO’s 2026 Obon Festival!

We, at the Buddhist Church of Oakland (BCO), wish to extend our warmest welcome to you.  Try our Japanese delicacies at the food bazaar, enjoy the traditional Japanese cultural demonstrations and Ikebana Floral Exhibit.  Complete the exciting evening by joining in and celebrating with us in the Obon dancing.

 

OBON FESTIVAL

One of the most colorful and festive events expressing the meaning of life on the Buddhist calendar is the Obon Festival.  It is a time to set aside for joyous festivity, to express gratitude for shared lives, and to deepen the understanding between all humankind.

According to the Ulambana Sutra, this is the origin of Obon:

When a high disciple of Buddha attained insight into the depths of existence, he saw his mother suffering in Hungry Hell. She was in great pain, emaciated to bones and clothed in rags.  In front of her was a tempting spread of delicacies and rich food.  When she picked up something to eat, the food burst into flames.  This was her punishment for greediness and selfishness in her lifetime.  In deep grief, the disciple sought the help of Buddha, whose heart was moved with compassion.  The Buddha told the disciple to do a great deed of selfless giving.  This, the disciple did.  The woman was released from hell and delivered to a comfortable place.  When the disciple saw this, he was overjoyed, and he and his friends celebrated with music, dancing, and an offering of gratitude to Buddha.

The story is significant in that as we reflect upon our lives, we are able to visualize the re-enactment of this story, even in our present lives.  For example, for the welfare of their child, parents may choose an undesirable path, the child often unaware.  To open our eyes to this

fact, to see ourselves in the true light, and to extend our gratitude for such sacrifices is the meaning of Obon.

*2026 Obon Program

 

Version 4.0 – 7/25/2025 11am

*subject to change without notice.

BCO Obon Weekend Schedule

Saturday/Sunday, August 1 & 2, 2026

  • Food & Activities – Sat Aug 1st – 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm

  • Odori Dance & Spectator – Sat Aug 1st – 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm 

  • Hatsubon Service – Sun Aug 2nd – 9:30 am (Hatsubon Explanation) – (Hatsubon Families only)

  • Obon Service – Sun Aug 2nd – 10:30 am

  • Obon Donations (Link)

Sangha & Friends – Help Needed !

Volunteers requested for Friday, July 31st and Saturday, August 1st to assist with food preparation, construction, and other support activities. If you are able to help, please contact Jon Takagaki by email (jtaka1014@gmail.com)

Obon Practice Schedule

All practice sessions held at

Buddhist Church of Oakland – 825 Jackson St., Oakland

Limited parking available

 

 Obon Memorial Lantern Tags

 

*New and Renew Tags

Information and Ordering

REGISTRATION AND REQUESTS
FOR New & Existing TAGS

 

Please mail Checks to Church if you ordered before the deadline: July 27th.

Sorry, No new orders/renewals are being accepted after July 27th.
Tag orders and renewals are CLOSED.

Payment Only
This Button is for PAYMENT ONLY for Orders
Placed before July 27th. If you did not renew your tag or
order a new tag before July 27th., Payment will not
guarantee a tag will be hung. Call the Office.

*We are request that all past Obon Lantern Tags be renewed each year BEFORE JULY 27th.  Orders for NEW Tags must be made before JULY 27th.

Please click on the BUTTON above to renew a past lantern tag and/or request  a new tag. Contact the Church Office if you have any questions (CONTACT).

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2026 OBON DINING MENU

Saturday August 1, 2026 – 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm

Note: Obon Menu Change

This is to let you know that the Obon Planning Committee has approved a slight adjustment to the Obon menu.

We will be replacing full Chicken and Short Rib Dinners with Chicken and Short Rib Teriyaki Bowls

The thighs and short ribs will continue to be marinated in our delicious teriyaki sauce.   All our other traditional menu items will be offered, including inari sushi, spam musubi, udon, curry rice, burgers, hot dogs, pastries/cookies/ohagi, and furikake chex mix.  Pickled cucumbers on a stick and flavored musubis also will be added.

We believe this slight adjustment to our menu will enhance our menu options and appeal to our Obon attendees.  We appreciate your support and look forward to seeing you all at Obon on August 2!

*Menu Items

Chicken Teriyaki Bowls
Short Rib Teriyaki Bowls
Hamburgers & Hot Dogs
Udon & Curry Rice
Inari Sushi
Spam Musubi & Flavored Musubi
Kuri Asazuke (Cucumber on a Stick)
Kurimanju & Ohagi (2 Kinds)
Assorted Fresh Baked Desserts and Snack Items

Assorted Drinks (Soda, Water, & Tea)
Japanese Beer & Premium Sake
Hot Tea (free – available in main hall)

* Please come early for best selection of food items.
All items will be available in limited quantities. No Pre-Sales.

 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Saturday August 1, 2026

(Subject to Change)

1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
FOOD BAZAAR

Location: Outdoor Plaza and Social Hall

 

1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
IKEBANA FLORAL EXHIBIT

Ohara School
Madam Suiyo Fujimoto & Students
Location: Main Building, 2nd Floor (Elevator available)

 

1:30 pm
TEMPLE TOUR

Rev. Harry Gyokyo Bridge
Location: Main Building, 2nd Floor, Hondo-Chapel – Elevator available

 

1:45 pm – 2:30 pm
TEA CEREMONY

Urasenke School of Tea
Madam Soga Fujimoto, Sojin Hagawara, & Students
Location: Issei Kaikan Annex Building

 

  3:00 pm – 3:45 pm
KOTO TRIO PERFORMANCE

Shirley Kazuyo Muramoto
Brian Mitsuhiro Wong, Nate Ong
Location: Jackson St. Stage @ Front of Church

 

4:30 pm
DRESSING AREA OPEN

Women & Men’s Dressing Rooms Available for Dancers
Location: Issei Kaikan Building

 

4:15 pm – 5:15 pm
MUSIC BY SAN JOSE CHIDORI BAND

Location: Jackson St. – Front of Church

 

5:30 pm – 6:30 pm
 OBON ODORI DANCE

Location: Jackson St. – Front of Church

 

 

OBON ODORI DANCE PROGRAM

Musical accompaniment: San Jose Chidori Band
Master of Ceremonies: Gary Tominaga

Public invited to join in the dancing!

***


Dance Program

 

Please join us for our

Obon Service

Sunday, August 2, 2026 at 10:30am

Notice: *All Food and Beverage Items are available in “very” limited quantities. We anticipate that many items will sell out “early”. We apologize if the items you choose are not available. This Menu subject to change without notice. Prices subject to change without notice.

The Buddhist Church of Oakland reserves the right to deny service and/or admission to anyone, for any reason, and at any time.  All rights are reserved.

Obon Donations

Please make an Obon donation to BCO.


Online Donation

  • CHECKS: Mail checks to: Buddhist Church of Oakland, 825 Jackson St, Oakland CA 94607. Please list the “In Memory of…”  name if applicable.

Sangha & Friends – Help Needed !

Volunteers requested for Friday, July 31 and Saturday, August 1 to assist with food preparation, construction, and other support activities.

We especially need help Saturday Evening from 5:00 to 8:00 pm to cleanup the food selling areas, dining areas and to clear the street dancing area.

If you are able to help, please contact Jon Takagaki (Coordinator) at jtaka1014@gmail.com

Email: OfficeBCO@gmail.com

Call: the Church Office – 510-832-5988

 

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