|
        |
|
 Lantern FloatingGround Zero The 1st OBON Mourning Ceremony
While our volunteer, Kazumi Terada has tried to hold the first lantern river floating event in New York, she coincidentally found the news article about the lantern event and memorial mess for the mourning of the victims of 9/11 by The New York Buddhist Church. Therefore, immediately she carried out this volunteer plan with the Church. Initially, it was difficult to get the permission of the unknown cultural event for the U.S., like floating the lit lantern on the river. But some connection of a member of NY de Volunteer helped and she received the permission 4 days before the event. The permission set the condition that organizer had to collect the floated lanterns at the end of the event and keep the fire in safe. In order to reduce on-site work, Latern Making Groupwas formed.Donated plastic foams were painted, and sticks and candles were mouted on it. 50 pieces were made. Without precedents, and in limited time frame, this volunteer work became ad-lib job. The participants gathered in front of the St. Paul Church, where was the base camp of this event.On the jammed street, buddhist monks, their benefactors, the victims of 9/11 and volunteer formed a line and marched to Ground Zero. Ground Zero was popular by tourists. The past WTC site was surrounded by fences and several crators appeared beside construction works. Then, the volunteers separated into for the ceremony working group and the park working group. The ceremony group participated the ceremony at the Viewing Platform. The park group went to the Battery Park and prepared for lanterns. The music band, Super Groove played and the their songs flowed along the wind. And then, the park group merged into the ceremony group and helped write messages on the lanterns. Beside, the ceremony was going on in the meantime. About 20 buddhist monks chanted and drums and Shakuhachi flutes were played. The supportive fund was passed to the representative of the victims and the messages from the mayor and the Japanese consul were read. Despite the preparation, it was difficult to make lantern on-site.We finally made up laterns and lit them. Then we marched with them to the boat house. Kayaks volunteers were already set up, on the other hand, the music band started playing as attraction. The lanterns were brought and gathered, and then the chanting started. Everybody including buddhists, Japanese and Americans holded palms. In order to resist the Hudson River's current and secure the collection after the event, every 5 lanterns were hooked to a kayak and floated on the river. This idea was hinted by Elic of this boat house.Connecting lanterns by fishing thread. When we began, the thread was tangled, but later, the work went smooth. 5 chained lanterns were carried by 5 volunteers. About 10 kayaks were waiting for the lanterns. Everybody looked serious. The 5 lanterns floated at the kayak's tail and left the ground, and then the silence and mourning feel prevailed the scene. As kayaks went far, their shapes dissolved and the lantern light blurred while floating. Some passengers stopped by and looked at the lanterns. The scene proved that the meaning of the lantern floating is sharable regardless of ethnicity. Most participants seemed to want doing some contribution
since 9/11.We wished the ceremony and lantern floating would console
the sadness of New Yorkers. As Japanese with the heritage of the
Japanese spiritual culture, we believe this event eased the New
Yorkers' soul, which was not visible in daily life or media coverage.
The volunteer group, NY de Volunteer, the staff of the boat house, and etc., are young and their self-motivated actions were really great.And also, many Americans participated. Regardless of the age and the race, we accomplised one event and now I feel this is marvelous.£  asahi.com MYTOWN USA> News Article NYJJ>Final
Episode: After the lantern floating event(extract)
 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
"I could hardly imagine the lantern floating scene
while making the laterns.However, on that day, when I saw the messages
on Japanese paper faces of lantern written by local participating
children, and they carried the latenrs to the river, I thought,
despite they might not undrestand the meaning of this event, this
hands-on experiences were somehow very important to them. And also,
as curtural exchanging purpose, this event should continue as annual
event. " (by Mr. Shiji Murabe)
"Since
9.11, I wanted to do something. I believe I did something meaningful
to the victims of 9.11. I wish I live with the wishes for peace
without letting the 9.11 as one of historical event." (by Yukari)
Episode 2: Lantern Making at The Buddhist
Church of New York
Final Episode: After the lantern floating
event