Spokane Buddhist Temple

Why do we dance at Obon? Originally it was a folk dance to welcome the spirits of the dead back for a short time. We dance at the Obon Festival to honor our ancestors and dance for joy, remembering them and being grateful for their lives. The style of Bon Odori dancing varies from region to region. Come see Spokane Buddhist Temple's style of dancing, including traditional and modern dances, led by Izumi, our Bon Odori instructor.

We have invited our neighbors Wishing Tree Books to Obon. Come see their children's and adult's books displayed between 2 and 4 pm on 8/18/24.

At Obon, we invite artists and craftspeople to display their art. One of our returning artists is Keiko Von Holt. Come see her Sumi-e art between 2 and 4 pm on 8/18/24.

Thank you FaVS News for promoting our Obon Festival. FaVS News, a digital journalism site, is a gathering place for nonsectarian coverage of faith and values news in the Spokane area.

Spokane Buddhist Temple To Host Annual Obon Festival Join the Spokane Buddhist Temple's Annual Obon Festival on Aug. 18. Celebrate Japanese culture with traditional dancing, taiko drumming, art and a Buddhist service. Honor ancestors and experience community in Grant Park.

At Obon, we invite artists and craftspeople to display their art. One of our returning artists is Harumi N. Come see and buy some of her artwork between 2 and 4 pm on 8/18/24.

At Obon, we invite artists and craftspeople to display their art. One of our new artists is Kiara Lime. Come see and buy some of her artwork between 2 and 4 pm on 8/18/24.

Here are some Memories from past Obon Festivals. Join us on Sunday 8/18 for the 2024 Obon Festival at the Spokane Buddhist Temple and in Grant Park.

Spokane Taiko will be at the 8/18/24 Obon Festival, performing in Grant Park at 4:30 pm, across the street from the Temple. Following their performance, the Bon Odori Dancing will begin.

Another busy Sunday is happening on 8/11 at your Spokane Buddhist Temple:
10:30 am Shotsukihoyo Sangha Service
(where we honor those who have passed in August of any year)
12:00 pm Bon Odori Dance Practice
If you missed the first dance practice, you are still invited to the second one.

Mark your calendars for our annual Obon Festival on Sunday 8/18.
Artists~Buddhist Service~Taiko Drumming~Bon Odori Dancing

Do you know our Bon Odori dance instructor? Here's a link to the article about her in the Buddhist Churches of America's Wheel of Dharma newsletter, written by Sensei Paul Vielle.

Spokane Sangha Member Becomes Obon Dance Teacher The Spokane Buddhist Temple is indeed fortunate to have Jacqui Izumi Pierce, a qualified Obon dance instructor, in our Sangha. Jacqui’s new name, Izumi, means “Water Fountain.” Izumi grew up in Los Angeles and has been interested in dancing since childhood. During her school years, she studied...

Please join Reverend Kiyonobu Kuwahara, Reverend Dr. Takashi Miyaji and Reverend John Paraskevopoulos for the Summer Pacific Seminar in person or online at the Jodo Shinshu Center on Saturday, August 3, 2024! 🙏
https://tinyurl.com/sumpac

Why do we dance at Obon?
Buddhist communities in Japan and America come together in summer for a festival called Obon. Obon is a time for us to remember all those who have passed before us. At Obon, we dance a mixture of traditional and modern Japanese dances to welcome back all of those who have gone before us. We welcome your participation in these dances that honor your ancestors. Join Izumi on Sunday 8/4 & 8/11 at Noon to learn the simple dances of joy.

Busy Sunday (8/4) at SBT:
9:30-10 am Meditation with Karen Vielle
10:30 am Sangha Service
12:00 pm Bon Odori Dance Lessons with Izumi

Are you a dues paying member of the Spokane Buddhist Temple? A very important email was just sent to Temple Members concerning upcoming construction at the Temple. Please open it and vote.

***Monthly Meditation Starting this Sunday 8/4/24
9:30-10 am Spokane Buddhist Temple before Service

Join us for basic mindfulness meditation with Karen Vielle on the first Sunday of every month, prior to service. Karen is a yoga instructor and certified mindfulness coach as well as a long-time temple member. Sessions will include guidance and instruction. No prior experience with mediation is necessary.

August 2024 Spokane Buddhist Temple Newsletter link:

August 2024 SBT Newsletter – Spokane Buddhist Temple

Message from Izumi, our Bon Odori dance instructor: Hi Everyone we will be having Bon Dance practice at Spokane Buddhist Temple Sunday August 4th & 11th at 12noon . Please join us to refresh your dance and learn some new dances too. Obon Festival at Spokane BT will be held on August 18th. Dance time is at 5pm.

Our Bon Odori dancers with Izumi will be performing at this event today. Thank you for representing the Spokane Buddhist Temple.

Disability celebration returns to Spokane with multi-culture performances, vendors SPOKANE, Wash. - Aerius Franklin may move around differently than others, but his cerebral palsy won't stop him from making his way to Riverfront Park this weekend for what he's

This Sunday (7/28), we are having a Potluck Lunch after service. Bring your favorite Summer food to share. The membership committee is planning bingo.

We will be dancing to this song at Spokane’s Obon on 8/18/24.

Lantern Song Dance Tutorial Instructional dance video for the bon odori song "Lantern Song." Commissioned by the Buddhist Churches of America Music Committee, the Bonbu Stories Asian Am...

If you are going to the NW District Convention in September from the Spokane Buddhist Temple, and wish to receive your Buddhist name, applications must be filled out by Sunday 7/21/24. Go to
https://www.nwdconvention.org/
click "Programming" at the top, then look under "Kieshiki Application". We have paper forms at the Temple that must be turned in on Sunday.

Here is your link to registeration for the 2024 NW District Convention on 9/13-9/15/2024 hosted by White River Buddhist Temple. All the northwest Shin Buddhist Temples will be there with workshops, services, a banquet and more! We hope to rent a van from Spokane to the convention.

Buy tickets – 2024 Northwest District Convention – Muckleshoot Casino Resort The Annual Northwest District Buddhist Convention is an annual event dedicated toward bringing together hundreds of members an...

Sensei Vielle is taking a road trip.

Did you know that Rev. Paul Vielle has published a couple of books? Yup, you can buy them online too. He will be hosting a Dharma Discussion at the temple this Saturday July 20th at 5:30 PM PST. This will be LIVE in person with the option of connecting via zoom.

Then he'll be hosting our Sunday Service the following day July 21st at 10:00 AM PST. Of course we will follow service with an amazing potluck too 😉

We look forward to seeing you all at these events this weekend!!

Our Bon Odori dancers are part of the Opening Ceremony on Friday at noon.

KuroNekoCon 2024 Fri 19 Jul, 12:00 PM - Sun 21, 4:00 PM [PDT]: KuroNekoCon is coming to the Spokane Convention Center, July 19-21. The three and half day anime convention will be celebrating Japanese pop culture, individuality, diversity, and artistic expression.

A fundraiser for the Teen & Kid Closet is tomorrow at the Rocket Bakery at 726 E 43rd in Spokane.