"Obon Prayers to Ancestors"
I did special prayers for my ancestors yesterday. Actually, I can't go to Japan now so, I can't visit my ancestors' cemeteries. Although, I can pray anywhere in the world. "Obon" is a special Japanese Buddhist festival to honor the spirits of our ancestors. Usually, it starts from the 13th to the 16th of August. Also, we have the anniversary of the end of the war on the 15th of August. People are having quite busy but touching moments with family in Japan. Due to COVID-19, many people excuse to visit cemeteries to avoid their risk but people are still sending prayers to their own ancestors.
When I was in my garden the day before yesterday, I noticed that there were beautiful fluffy flowers. The small fluff looked like they are flying away soon. I was thinking about my family members who passed away. I hope my prayers are going to reach them like this fluff. I used to avoid having melancholy moments because I didn't want to show my sadness. However, I was also judging my emotions a lot. I decided to be honest and gentle with my feelings.
By the way, I went to the lake swimming the day before yesterday and today. It was very humid and was very refreshing. The lake is about 5 minutes from my house by car. To get to the lake, I walk around 200 m on foot from the parking lot. There was nobody. If I swim in the middle of the lake, it is deep but it's very easy to swim. I should tell you that Japanese people say "you shouldn't go swimming during Obon because the hell door is going to open under the ocean. The hands are going to catch your legs... " I guess there are a few reasons. One of the obvious reasons is we have to be careful with jellyfish. Around Obon season, there are many jellyfish in the ocean. People usually stop going swimming in the ocean after Obon season. I have no idea about lakes...
There are many superstitions or legends in Japan. Usually, they include our ancestor's deep knowledge about nature or human lives. I think we shouldn't be afraid of trying or doing something too much but we also have to listen to this old knowledge. Anyway, I hope that everybody is having nice summer moments!
”先祖へ、お盆の祈り”
昨日は先祖へお盆の祈りを捧げました。日本には行けないので残念ながらお墓参りができません。でも、世界中どこにいても祈ることはできます。お盆はたいてい八月の１３日から１６日の日程です。１５日は終戦記念日もあり、日本では家族や親戚と過ごす忙しくも意味のある時期です。コロナ禍でお墓参りを念の為にさける家庭も多いと思いますが、家や心の中で先祖に祈りを捧げる方が多いのではないでしょうか。
一昨日庭にいると、きれいな綿毛をみかけました。綿毛が今にも飛んでいく準備をしているように見えました。そんな綿毛を見ながら亡くなった家族のことを思い出していました。綿毛のようにわたしの祈りも家族の元に届くといいのですが。以前は悲しくなりたくないので、感傷的になるのを避けるようにしていました。でも、自分の感情を否定しているような気がして、今は自分の気持ちを素直に表現できるように少しずつなってきました。
ところで、とても蒸し暑いので一昨日と今日は近くの湖に行って泳いできました。自宅から車で５分くらいのところに湖があります。湖までは、駐車場から歩いて２００メートルくらいです。誰もいませんでした。真ん中に近づけばとても深くなりますが、湖は泳ぎやすいです。そういえば、日本では”お盆を過ぎてから海で泳ぐと海底の地獄の釜が開き手が出てきて、泳いでいると足を引っ張られる”という言い伝えがありますね。いろいろな理由があるのだと思いますが、ひとつはクラゲが出る時期だから気をつけなくてはならないということだと思います。湖はどうなんでしょう…。
日本には様々な言い伝えや迷信がありますね。大抵昔の人たちの自然や人間の生活に関する知識が組み込まれています。挑戦したり何かをすることを恐れてやめるのは良くないですが、昔の人の知識には耳を傾けるべきだと思います。みなさんが、楽しい夏を過ごしていることを願って！
Swimming in the Lake 湖で泳ぐ
About Obon お盆についてはコチラ:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bon_Festival
