Remembering the Ancestors

Japanese Women Perform Bon Odori Dance at Obon Festival (Seattle, WA)

Japanese women performing Bon Odori dance at Obon Festival in Seattle, Washington Bon Odori 0938#13 (Photo: Courtesy of Seattle Betsuin Buddhist Church)

Vietnamese Women Prepare a Community Meal (Olympia, WA)

Vietnamese women preparing community meal for Vu Lan in Olympia, Washington

Floating Lantern Ceremony at Ala Moana Park (Honolulu, HI)

"Floating Lanterns," Dwight K. Morita. 2010 Pluralism Project Photography Contest Grand Prize Winner. Floating lantern ceremony at Ala Moana Park in Honolulu, Hawaii to honor ancestors. As the sun sets in the background, small boats with Buddhist monks and church volunteers launch and shepherd the small armada of lantern ships, each inscribed with sentiments from family and friends. This traditional Buddhist practice began as a small ritual, but has since grown to become a major event attracting thousands of people of all faiths from around the world (Photo by: Dwight K. Morita)