THE AWAKENING FIRE: A Buddhist Prayer for Peace
A Film By Barry Berona & Greg Daniels
Produced By Pia Clemente
Editor Geoffrey O'Brien

Synopsis

Every year something truly beautiful takes place in Hawaii on Memorial Day. As the sun sets, thousands of paper lanterns are released to the sea in memory of loved ones that have passed. “Where the Ocean Meets the Sky” is a documentary that explores the annual ritual of Lantern Floating both as an instrument in helping people deal with death, and as a unique experience that draws a diverse crowd of people together in the name of Peace.

Directors’ Statement

Imagine a diverse crowd of 40,000 people uniting at sunset - everyone with the same intention of honoring the memory of a loved one that has passed. Imagine this peaceful gathering is in such a beautiful location it is often called Paradise. Every year a memorial ceremony called “Toro Nagashi” or “Lantern Floating” actually takes place on the shores of Hawaii - and when thousands of people simultaneously release lanterns into the sea, there is an emotion, a spiritual feeling in the air that is palpable.

Our challenge was how to capture these intense personal feelings of connection as well as the remarkable communal impact this ceremony had on the participants. Whether used as a tool to help in the grieving process, as a unique way to memorialize a loved one, or just to be part of a peaceful ceremony, thousands of people from around the world take part in the ceremony.

Shot in high definition, this short documentary explores the annual ritual of Lantern Floating and the amazing transformations of some of its guests. Interviews were conducted in a unique way so that the subjects are directly addressing the camera. This technique engages the viewer as participants describe their personal experience and the reasons why some were so compelled to attend this stunning ceremony.

Synopsis

How do we create hope? "The Awakening Fire: A Buddhist Prayer for Peace" offers a fascinating glimpse into Shinnyo-en and the ways into which this sect of Buddhism exists to answer this difficult question. Documenting the “Shinnyo-en Prayer Ceremony for World Peace” in the spring of 2007, this 22-minute film sheds light on Shinnyo-en’s evolution along with its humanitarian emphasis and efforts around the world. Combining footage of captivating rituals with insightful interviews, the documentary distills key aspects of this uniquely positive approach to living.

Directors’ Statement

This was our 2nd project about Shinnyo-en Buddhism. The first project completed in June 2006 was a mixed media project celebrating the centennial birthday of the founder of Shinnyo-en. Symbolic imagery shot on 35mm film was projected on a 40’ screen as a troop of professional dancers acted out a buddhist’s path to Nirvana. Titled Festival of Joy, the combination of projected imagery, live dance and original music all moving simultaneously on an arc from chaos to clarity/enlightenment was an extremely powerful presentation.

Getting to know the Shinnyo-en people - their beliefs and their way of life - was the inspiration to learn more about the history and growth of this form of Buddhism. Philanthropic in nature, with the unselfish lifestyles shed of excess, these people get to the core of the human existence. In this 2nd project we wanted to delve into the roots of Shinnyo-en. Using the “Saito Homa” ceremony for peace as a backdrop, we discovered this relatively new form of Budhhism has touched a major chord of interest with the general public. The theme of World Peace was an appropriate subject matter with the unsettled state of our world today. Shinnyo-en’s open invitation to the ceremony and the huge response it generated reveals the general public’s interest for a more peaceful world.

An optimistic conclusion asks the viewer a provocative question of what path they will take in their role for a more peaceful world.