Wednesday, June 1, 2016

Lantern floating ceremony Hawaii

Lantern  floating 
Lantern floating Hawaii is held annually on Memorial day on South shore of Island of O’ahu to honor loved ones and generate hope toward the future. The ceremony brings together 50,000 people on the beach, joined by millions more around the world via live broadcast.

people gathered at Ala Moana for lantern floating ceremony

The ceremony is held by Shinnyo-en, the international Buddhist community and is an example of Shinnyo-en’s fire and water ceremonies, which aim to awaken wisdom and compassion. 

On this day, people from different ethnicity and culture, all come together for collective as well as personal moment of remembrance, deliberation and acknowledgement to those who have gone before us. It is a moment in time to surround ourselves with love, kindness, peace and supporting others, even total strangers who are on the same journey as we are. 






This ceremony rejuvenate all of us  as a community  as we reach out to support others on the path of peace and healing, at the same  time  recognizing the common value we share.

Memorial day in America is a day when people remember and honor the fallen heroes, who have sacrificed their lives in line of duty. Hawai’I has largest ethnically diverse population and have  adopted the tradition of memorial day into its  culture as a day to honor and remember our loved ones.  It’s a norm in Hawaii to remember the fallen heroes, others family members and friends by placing flowers  on grave.

The first lantern floating in Hawaii  was held at Ke'ehi Lagoon on the south shore of O'ahu in 1999, but was moved to Ala Moana Beach in 2002, where it is observed every year since. The first ceremony was officiated and inaugurated  by Her Holiness Shinso Ito, Head Priest of Shinnyo-en.
Over 6000 lanterns were  given out  starting  at  10 AM and they ran out of supply two hours earlier than before. It gave people ample time to write the messages and prepare the lanterns.











According to  the Lantern Floating.com, Hawaii ,the elements of the ceremony are: 

Pū - The sounding of the pū, or Hawaiian conch shell, sanctifies the area and marks the commencement of the ceremony.

Shinnyo Taiko – The sound of the taiko calls people together. It is offered as a prayer for peace, with hope that people reach out in the spirit of creating harmony to support one another.
Oli - This Hawaiian chant calls the attention of all who are present to prepare their hearts to receive the importance of what will follow.


Hula - A visual portrayal of mele (song) or oli (chant) through dance. "Ka Lei Moana".


Entrance of Main Lanterns - Six large Main Lanterns carry prayers for all spirits on behalf of all people. Prayers are offered for victims of war, water-related accidents, natural and manmade disasters, famine and disease. Gratitude is offered for all - even endemic, endangered and extinct plant and animal life. These lanterns are floated with the hope of encouraging harmony and peace.


Main lantern 

Six main lanterns 

Light of Harmony - In the spirit of friendship, community leaders from various sectors symbolically demonstrate their unified commitment to creating harmony amid diversity.


Blessing and transformation – Her Holiness Shinso Ito offers a blessing of the ceremonial area, the lanterns, all who are being remembered, and all in attendance prior to the floating of lanterns.

Offering of food and water - This ritual symbolizes the offering of spiritual nourishment to the souls of those being remembered.

Strewing of flower petals – Since ancient times, flowers have adorned the path of honored ones. The scattering of flowers on the path symbolizes the love and respect that we offer to our loved ones.



Shomyo – A fusion of traditional Buddhist chant and Western choral harmony.



Ringing of the Bell - The crystal clear sound of Her Holiness Shinso Ito's bell focuses everyone's thoughts and prayers and signifies that it is time to float the lanterns.

Floating of Lanterns - Lanterns are placed onto the water with wishes for the peace and happiness of loved ones past while unveiling courage and hope in the hearts of those in the present.






Under the theme “Many Rivers, One Ocean,” participants set afloat the lanterns as the sun set slowly over the pacific.

All the lanterns are collected by volunteers, refurbished and stored again for next year ceremony. 

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