The Japanese love their fireworks. In the good ol' USA, we get 'em just once a year at the Fourth of July. But during my month in Japan, I've been to no less than three spectacular fireworks shows.
But this fireworks show was different, even by Japanese standards. It was held in the town of Eihei-ji, home to the Eihei-ji temple, one of the "most influential" centers of Zen Buddhism in the world. As our crew arrived at the festival grounds, we were greeted by the low murmur of these Zen Buddhist monks chanting and bells ringing. Dozens of robed monks marched in a procession on the stage.
For a mere 1000 yen (10 bucks), families could purchase paper lanterns, blessed by the monks, write blessings for ancestors on the lanterns, and then release them into a river that flows through town. Hundreds of glittering lanterns floated by us as Eihei-ji hosted an impressive fireworks show on the banks on the other side.
A couple of JETs purchased a lantern and wrote their wishes for the world: happiness, good health, love and, of course, WORLD PEACE!
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