SHINNYO-EN LANTERN FESTIVAL

Making a lantern

As a funeral and wedding celebrant I am always open to experiencing and learning

about ways in which other cultures and religions celebrate marriage and honour their dead – from funeral customs and beyond. Though I am not a religious person

myself I can appreciate that – for those who practice their beliefs with love and

kindness – these belief systems can provide great comfort and offer a very palpable sense of community.

As Summer turns to Autumn and leaves and daylight fall away, I often find this time

of year to be one of reflection. There’s something about the impending year’s ending that lends itself to a bit of introspection and contemplation. After a busy, though glorious, summer I wanted to pause a while and take stock.

And so it was that on a gloriously bright Saturday afternoon I found myself visiting a

local Shinnyo-En Buddhist temple to observe and partake in their Lantern Floating Festival. The temple is housed in a wonderful, large old house on an area of land with a long and distinguished history (I’ll leave that for another blog).

The house is set in beautiful grounds; a lush green lawn sloping gently down towards a large lake encircled with well-established trees (I absolutely LOVE trees).

As we entered the grounds we were welcomed with incredible warmth and huge

smiles by the volunteers who had come to help on the day. They seemed genuinely

happy that we had come to share in this day with them; even though we were not

known to them as Buddhists.

As we stepped into the grounds we felt calm immediately. Even though there were plenty of other people there, sat at tables either alone or in agroup, carefully writing notes, messages or drawing pictures on their lanterns, it was extremely peaceful.

We were given some pens, a small battery operated candle (it would not do to set off a huge fire at a festival of remembrance) and a wooden structure upon which we would position the casing of the lantern – which was made of a sort of translucent paper. We found a table on the lawn and settled our thoughts to think of those we had come to remember. Initially I found it hard to conjure something up almost immediately – the memories of a loved one are so huge, panoramic and epic. How do you commemorate all of that on a small floating lantern? So I sat back and took in the scene.

It was one of those really stunning autumnal days when the sky is bright blue and the sun dazzling. The water in the lake looked cool and peaceful and the surrounding trees still largely holding onto their green leaves with the exception of some about to turn into autumnal golds and reds.

Lanterns floating on the lake

Children were playing and families were enjoying the time together. Some had even

brought a picnic (something I will do next time so as to delight in a longer visit)

My thoughts drifted to my much-missed mum and dad and to other close relatives

and I started to draw. It’s hard to convey how safe a space the Buddhist temple felt

like that day. We’re often all so busy rushing around working, tending to families,

friends even pets. I think perhaps we ALL find it extremely difficult to stop, really

stop, and think about people no longer walking side by side with us.

Taking part in the Lantern Floating festival felt like being given permission, a safe

space, in which to stop and do just that. And though it’s sad of course to

contemplate once again such profound loss it was also reassuring to be with so

many other people doing the same thing – coming to gather in this beautiful place to stop awhile and remember, to pause, reflect and appreciate.

Earlier in our visit, before we collected our lanterns on the lawn, we had walked

around the house and learnt that the Shinnyo Lantern Floating began over 80 years

ago as a ceremony of remembrance, held by the founders of the Shinnyo-en

community. We also learnt that Shinnyo is a Buddhist term referring to reality, or the

true nature of things. At the core of every living being exists a ‘true nature’ of

goodness, wisdom and compassion - shinnyo is the light that exists in and connects

us all.

I love the idea of a light existing in and connecting us all- there’s something so

encouraging about that. I also love these words from Her Holiness Shinso Ito, head

priest of Shinnyo-en;

​“Like many rivers that flow into the vast ocean, each participant has travelled a

distinctive path and is indispensable in creating this unique event to bring collective

hope and courage toward the future.”

We had finished decorating our lanterns and walked down across the lawn to the

pontoon on the lakeside where volunteers were helping participants gently lower

them onto the water. Everyone waited patiently and peacefully for their turn to watch as their lanterns floated softly on the water. It was both enchanting and deeply moving.

For us - our visit to the temple gave us the opportunity to pause and appreciate. A

beautiful day, in beautiful surroundings and a chance to connect with nature and one another in a quiet act of remembrance. We are indeed all travelling on our own

distinctive paths, some with religion, some of us not. The experience of coming

together at a festival of remembrance in nature and in light is one I will definitely

repeat again

About to launch my lantern

Author:

Nic Preston - Celebrant. I am an independent funeral and wedding celebrant based

in SW London and covering Surrey and surrounds. Contact me here to find out

more