noun
Bon Festival; festival of the dead
A Buddhist event to honor the spirits of ancestors, typically held in summer. The spelling 精霊会 is especially associated with this meaning.
See also: 盂蘭盆
精霊会は、先祖の霊を供養するための仏教行事です。
The Bon Festival is a Buddhist event to honor the spirits of ancestors.
noun
Only when written 聖霊会
A specific Buddhist service held on the anniversary of Prince Shōtoku's death, originally on the 22nd day of the second lunar month. The spelling 聖霊会 is used for this sense.
聖霊会は、聖徳太子の命日に行われる法要です。
The Shōryō-e is a Buddhist service held on the anniversary of Prince Shōtoku's death.
盂蘭盆 (Urabon) is another term for the Bon Festival, often used in more formal or scriptural contexts, while 精霊会 is a broader term for spirit festivals.
From 精霊 (shōryō, 'spirit of the dead') + 会 (e, 'gathering, service'). The alternate kanji 聖霊会 uses 聖 (shō, 'holy, sage') referring to Prince Shōtoku.