Taiko drumming, Obon dancing

The Cleveland Buddhist Temple held its annual Obon Festival on July 24. In addition to Obon dancing, this year’s festival again presented the Mame Daiko, a regional Taiko drumming youth group. 

Craig Horton, senior leader of the Zen Shin Sangha mediation sessions, said he was pleased with this year’s attendance at the Obon Festival. Organizing the front garden with numerous traditional Japanese lanterns, the grill and food sales, the Japanese Obon dancing and the Taiko drumming was a major undertaking for the small congregation. “People come from all over to lend a hand to make this festival a success,” said Horton. 

Mary Gove, a Cleveland Heights resident associated with the Zen Shin Sangha group of the temple, explained the upcoming reprint of Zen Shin Talks. Gove compiled and edited the talks of Sensei Ogui into this book, first published in 1998. Gove expects the reprint will be complete by the end of the year and for sale in local bookshops.

Anyone interested in Dharma School or Zen Shin Sangha Mediation should visit www.ClevelandBuddhistTemple.com or the Facebook page created by volunteer Damon Ramsy. Become a fan to receive messages about upcoming events.

Anita Kazarian is a marketing professional and long-time resident of University Heights. She may be contacted at anitakazarian@gmail.com.