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While Obon in Japan is known as a Buddhist festival marking the return of the dead, the idea that the dead return is quite rare worldwide. Buddhist countries have a ritual called "Uan-go-aki" (End of Rainy Days). However, this ritual does not refer to the day the dead return. Theravada Buddhist doctrine also does not include stories of ancestral spirits returning. Japan's Obon festival was influenced by China's Qingming Festival and is a blend of ancestor worship rituals that existed before the introduction of Buddhism and Buddhist rites.

World religions such as Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, and Hinduism reject the superstition that there is a day when the dead return. Customs like Japan's, which welcome the visits of the dead, are rare worldwide. Some ethnic minorities in Yunnan Province have a religious belief in the return of the dead, but Buddhism does not inherently teach ancestor worship; this belief is unique to parts of China and Japan.

Obon is essentially a fusion of Japan's ancient ancestral beliefs and Buddhist rituals introduced from China. The name "Obon" originally comes from an event called "Ullambana" held in Chinese Buddhism. Ullambana is a spirit-worshiping event that originated when Mokuren, one of Buddha's disciples, held a memorial service for his deceased mother upon learning that she had gone to hell. In Japan, it is said to have first been held on July 15, 606, under the auspices of Empress Suiko.

Today, the Japanese equinox refers to the period during which people pay tribute to their ancestors and Buddhas through memorial services and grave visits. However, originally, the word "Obon" had a different meaning. "Ohigan" means "to reach the other shore," and refers to the ascetic training required for people living in the world of earthly desires and delusions known as "shigan" to reach the other shore, the world of enlightenment, or the training required to reach that shore. The modern-day equinox was formed when the Tohigan tradition, which was introduced from abroad, was combined with Japan's unique religious views and customs of offering prayers for ancestors. Therefore, no such period exists in Buddhist countries other than Japan. Events such as Obon and equinox are not Buddhist events, but rather are part of Japan's ancient ethnic culture.

For inquiries or questions about natural burial scattering at Scattered Bone Mountain, please contact us by phone, email, or visit us for a free in-person consultation. We will provide detailed explanations about scattering ashes, which is still uncommon. We welcome any questions or concerns you may have until you are satisfied. Please feel free to discuss any details, such as closing the grave or making pre-planning reservations. If you feel you can avoid the hassle of visiting our office, please feel free to ask us questions via email. If you are in a hurry, please submit your scattering request directly. The data you submit through the application form will not be used for any other purpose, so please feel free to provide your information. Please note that submitting the application form is a provisional request; your formal request will be finalized once payment has been confirmed. We will also ask for the name of the deceased, so please submit your request using the dedicated scattering request email form.