Japan's "Ohigan" ceremony special this year

Universals like renewal and rebirth unite many spiritual traditions (deseretnews)

(USA Today/AP) Friday begins a special annual period in Buddhism called Ohigan -- "the other shore gathering," or enlightenment -- when Buddhists in Japan go to their family's graveyards to [pay respects] on behalf of their ancestors and relatives. Most temples throughout Japan also hold Ohigan ceremonies during spring and autumnal equinoxes to express gratitude for being awakened to wisdom and compassion. This spring, of course, Ohigan holds additional meaning. Japan is reeling from death and destruction wrought by an 9.0-magnitude earthquake and subsequent tsunami [and ongoing nuclear fallout as of] last Friday. The official death toll is more than 5,000. Another 8,000 people are reported missing. Much of the northeast corner of the country is a graveyard. More>>

Ohigan Explained

Japanlifeandreligion.com (Wisdom Quarterly edit)

The basic Buddhist holidays in Japan include Ohigan, which means crossing over to the Further Shore (nirvana). One is therefore liberated from the troubles of This Shore -- impermanence, emptiness, and disappointment. The holiday is traditionally observed during the spring and fall equinoxes when the weather is more pleasant and people are better able to rest and reflect. The historical Buddha reached the Further Shore and showed humankind the means of crossing over (o-) from this ocean of darkness to that state of light (enlightenment). The route to that shore (-higan) has six pathways (Japanese, haramitsu; Sanskrit, paramitas, "perfections"). They are forms of merit and self-development:

1. generosity (danna)
2. right conduct (shira)
3. endurance (sendai)
4. endeavor (biriya)
5. meditation (zenna)
6. wisdom (hannya)