Many people visit the grave every year, but don't know what it really means.

This time we will talk about Obon.

Originally, "Higan" is a Buddhist term.

This world, "Shigan," is a world of earthly desires and delusions. Those who have attained enlightenment will reach the afterlife . The period during which training is carried out in order to reach the other shore is called Ohigan.

Also, on the vernal and autumnal equinoxes, when the length of day and night is equal, A special day when the afterlife and this world are closest to each other.

The seven days between the vernal and autumnal equinoxes, three days before and three days after, are known as Obon.

The place where this world and the other world come together is the grave.

By offering prayers to the Buddha during this period, It is believed that the wish to one day go to paradise for oneself is the root of the current tradition of visiting graves during the equinox.

Generally, people visit the grave and hold memorial services, but this varies depending on the region.

During Obon, Buddha It is said that they come to this world , but during the equinox, they approach us on the day when we are close to the afterlife, which is different.

During the equinox, let us join our hands in prayer to the Buddha who is always watching over us, and express our gratitude to him.

Author: Mizuguchi Edited by: Yui and Sekido