An elementary school from Lannon Wisconsin apparently had sent at least a thousand peace cranes to Seattle in May and someone placed them on the statue of Sadako. Many had fallen and folded up their wings in the elements so we opened them up and set them in a flying figure eight formation on the ground surrounding Sadako.
I lit a candle I received from Jun-san (aka Easter Bunny-san) and placed on the memorial. Several walkers lit incense and we also placed a piece of coal from the Hiroshima Flame final Fire Ceremony at Grafton Peace Pagoda on the candle. I had some loose sage left and walkers placed pieces to burn in the Hiroshima coal flame. Well, we added a bit to much and first one, then another, then about 10 peace cranes caught fire.
Somehow the thought of burning down ALL the peace cranes during prayer was more than we wanted!!!! We turned a metal bowl on top of the flames and someone handed a water bottle. thankfully...not much damange done.
Then we walked to the Hiroshima Lantern Lighting Ceremony on Greenlake. There were several hundred people there. I sought out the organizers and explained about the Hiroshima Walk and that it may be a good addition to the ceremonies if a coal bundle from the final Flame Ceremony was set adrift on the first Lantern released onto the waters.
They agreed and Madison was happy to do the honors. Rev Tamura, a Nichiren Buddhist presided at the end of the program. They requested my lantern, with the word - compassion (written in japanese characters) as they had forgotten to get one for the Monk. He lit the lantern, chanted a sutra and then Madison placed the coal bundle in and he and the Monk led the procession to the waters. A local Japanese newspaper did an interview and I hope to send it to the Japanese walkers when it is done.
Waving Wildly
Treeza
08/07/2002