Hearst Plaza | Lincoln Center
Sunday, September 21, 2014

 

Be inspired.
Be a light for peace.
A beautiful event for the entire family.

 

WATCH THE INSTANT REPLAY FROM 2013

 

Join us at the 2014 Shinnyo Lantern Floating for Peace

On Sunday, Sept. 21, Shinnyo-en will welcome local New York City families and residents, community groups, international NGOs, interfaith organizations, and visitors from around the world, to set thousands of lit paper lanterns afloat during the second annual "Shinnyo Lantern Floating for Peace." The event will take place at Hearst Plaza, Lincoln Center. Coinciding with the International Day of Peace and the opening of the U.N. General Assembly, this unique occasion will bring together prominent civic, interfaith and community leaders, along with New Yorkers of all ages, to inspire a collective quest for peace with lantern floating, live music and cultural performances at one of the most iconic settings in New York City.

During the free day-long, family-friendly event, that is open to the public, participants will have the opportunity to construct a paper lantern and inscribe it with a personal message of peace. Participants can then set the lanterns afloat in the Paul Milstein Reflecting Pool. The Shinnyo Lantern Floating for Peace is meant to inspire a spirit of harmony and compassion that transcends all boundaries of age, gender, nationality, ethnicity, and religious tradition - and empower people to create a stronger force for peace in our families, our communities, and globally. Lanterns will be provided throughout the day on a first-come, first-serve basis.

At sunset, Her Holiness Shinso Ito, the head priest of Shinnyo-en and one of the highest-ranking woman Buddhist leaders in the world, will preside over a special closing Lantern Floating ceremony, also open to the public. Hundreds of the LED candle-lighted paper lanterns will be floated on the water, illuminating Hearst Plaza in a uniquely captivating visual experience in New York City.

*Lanterns provided first come, first served.

Shinnyo-en is pleased to be filming this event for documentary and archival purposes and streaming portions of it on the Times Square SuperSign and on the internet for people everywhere to share in the Shinnyo Lantern Floating for Peace experience. Your images, voices and creations (e.g., lanterns) may appear in photographs and audiovisual recordings, which we may broadcast live or later distribute on websites, in a book, documentary film or use in any other manner and media. By attending the event, you grant us the right to include your image, voice and creations in and in connection with these recordings.