Shave to Reborn
Mt. Koya was snowy, suddenly, the shaved hair fell gently on snow… The one who has had his hair cut was stirred up with memories, let bygones be bygones, all troubles left with the hair…
“Shave to Reborn” is a unique documentary, it records how 41 students of Shingon Buddhism practiced unusual lives to become Acārya (Preceptor of Shingon Buddhism).
41 students came from different sectors of the community, someone couldn’t escape from the sorrow of family’s death, someone had been suffered from broken marriage, someone met his Waterloo in business… Life is like a box of chocolate, but they just wished to seek for peace and a corner to rest.
Driven by fate, they came to “Grand Master Kukai Memorial Hall”, following Master Edward Li, holy-monk named Yi Ran, to learn Esoteric Buddhism for years. Some of them chose to leave their big business behind, some of them were brave to face difficulties in lives… Embraced by Buddha, they prayed and sang, let the original sound of the universe wash their troubles and sorrows away, every cell of them were motivated, it made them feel like having a new life!
While learning how to practice “Fire Puja”, an offering ceremony by burning wood in fire, those 41 students could feel the fire removing their accumulated burdens and sadness, they were set free and shining again!
“Fire Offering Ritual”, daily practices, shave and reborn... Through these valuable records, Master Yi Ran would like to disclose and share the core knowledge of Esoteric Buddhism to the world.
Best Feature Documentary Film (Main Category)
Directed by: Ellen Pun