Honoring Our Ancestors: Obon Dharma Talk, Singing, and Dancing Ceremony

Date: 2026/07/12. Speakers: Rev. Sōsan Theresa Flynn, Rev. Shozoku Nomura, and Prof. Jake Nagasawa. At Clouds in Water Zen Center.The ceremony included singing and dancing. Link to song: Sanbo Gowasan. Link to videos of the dances: Tankō Bushi (Mining Song/ Obon Dance) and Tokyo Ondo. Sōsan has studied and practiced Sōto Zen Buddhism since 1992, receiving Dharma transmission (full teaching authority) from Joen Snyder O’Neal in 2012. Sōsan's areas of teaching include body awareness in Zen, loving-kindness practices, and the intersection of Buddhist practice and racial justice.Shozoku came to the US to study at a college and is now a proud Minnesotan. In 2008, she started learning mindfulness from Thich Nhat Hanh’s books, and coming to Clouds in Water. Challenges like chronic illness, being a parent, working as a civil engineer, and facing racism help her to continue to practice. Shozoku received Jukai in 2020 and was ordained as a priest in 2022 by Teacher Sosan Flynn. Seeing the truth, including seeing oneself as a bodhisattva in action, is a practice she is currently focused on, as a way to truly be kind and love oneself and all beings.Jake was born and raised on Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi, and is Visiting Assistant Professor of American Studies at Macalester College. He received his PhD and MA in Religious Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and his BA in Theology & Religious Studies and Asian Studies from the University of San Francisco. He is interested in ancient and medieval Tibetan Buddhism, and Asian American religions in the contemporary U.S.