Why do the Japanese attach importance to the Bonihara Festival?

The Japanese attach importance to the Kasahara Festival because they believe in ghosts and gods.

Kasahara Festival is a traditional Buddhist festival. In Buddhist teachings, people believe in personal behavior and karma, and the soul will go to different worlds after death. The Kasahara Festival was set up to commemorate and pay homage to the souls of deceased relatives, with the aim of helping these souls get rid of and cross over. Japanese people attach importance to Kogasawara Festival, because they are convinced that sacrifice and prayer can help the dead get peace and redemption.

Bonihara Festival is also considered as an important family activity. Japanese usually go back to their hometown to reunite with their families and relatives during the Kasahara Festival. They will set up pots at home or near the cemetery to burn incense and provide food to show their respect and memory for their deceased relatives. It not only helps to strengthen family ties and friendship, but also helps to inherit and carry forward family and local cultural traditions.

Japan's Kasahara Festival custom

1, sweeping graves: Many people go to sweep graves. In fact, this means going to the cemetery to meet the ancestors. Therefore, on the first day of the Kasahara Festival, it is best to go in the morning of August 13. When sweeping graves, clean tombstones and cemeteries, and then burn incense, offer flowers and offer sacrifices to what ancestors like.

2. Welcome the flame: As a symbol of welcoming the ancestors' souls to this world, the activity of burning hemp stalks on pottery vessels is called "hemp stalks". In Buddhist shops, supermarkets, flower shops and other places, you can buy "hemp poles". In addition, you can often see people who encounter soul fire in front of your house, but this was originally an activity in front of the tomb. It is best to choose the incense in front of the tomb as a kindling.

3. Preparation of offerings: offering offerings to "Xianma" who regards eggplant and cucumber as cattle and horses, and making intensive cultivation, seasonal vegetables and fruits. There are many kinds. Surprisingly, the "son of water" is not known to everyone. Eggplant and cucumber are cut into small squares and placed on lotus leaves. It is said that this kind of offering can eliminate troubles for ancestors and improve public morality.

The above contents refer to Baidu Encyclopedia-Dream Orchid Festival in Japan.