Message from GATE Organizers in Japan

Feel something touching your heart from GATE

               - by Michiko Shigeoka, 'GATE screening in Osaka'

I was born in Osaka and had lived without awareness of atomic bombs. 

I watched “Gate” when I was questioning myself on what I would do and what I should do as Japan was wrapped in sorrow while Fukushima was suffering from radiation exposure after the earthquake struck Japan on March 11, 2011. 

Watching Buddhist monks devote themselves in walking with “Atomic Flame” while praying, but not showing anger or sorrow, made me feel that only our prayers will go one step further than the situation right now. 

[Japanese monks] could overcome hard situations and unreasonable tasks, not by blaming someone, but by everyone’s wish to reset [the past]. 

It is very hard to explain with words, but I think that there is something that can touch each person’s heart just by seeing [those Japanese monks] walk.

Hidden Power we all have

                     - by Taka, 'GATE screening in Okinawa'

I can still feel something warm inside me when I think about this documentary. A friend of mine watched it in Tokyo and she wanted to screen it in Okinawa. I asked one of my friends, who owns a Coffee shop, to help us make it happen and we instantly received the OK. Many friends came over to watch and I think everyone was impressed and noticed something. As for myself, I felt this movie “GATE” was the source to end the circle of conflict, controversy and arrogance. This film closed the circle of fear. 

 In addition, I was not sure if the Monks will get to where they want to or not, but they believe themselves and are committed to their significant cause. There is a huge hidden power and every one of us has that power. I hope everyone receives some important Gift by watching this film.

All despair and negativity into Faith, Hope and True Joy     

                 - by Tomomi, 'GATE screening in Okinawa'

I deeply moved upon watching the documentary movie “GATE” and thought that I would love to screen this film in Okinawa, a beautiful island southwest in Japan.

It is widely known that Okinawa has lots of U.S military bases enclosed by many gates. This land is very important to the Okinawa people and some of it is even considered very sacred.

Although Okinawa did not experience the atrocious atomic bomb, many people lost their lives by the sever battle between the Japanese Army and U.S Army in World War 2. My desire is to have a sacred historical site in Okinawa be a place of remembrance and prayer which peace is favored, despite   history and the presence of the U.S military base.

 I asked my friend who own a coffee shop in Okinawa to collaborate with me to screen this documentary and held three showings. Numerous people came to watch. Many people shed tears, kept deep silence and witnessed the sincerity and dedication of the Buddhist Monks who walked so many miles to return the atomic flame to the Trinity site.

Throughout my life, living in different countries of Asia, I have bitterly experienced both the pain and grief of the Japanese victims of nuclear bomb and the war, and, the joy of other countries of Asia, which were liberated at the defeat of Japan. However, I come to realize to remove the flame who is the victim and who is the aggressor. I learned about the dignity and sanctity of human life and Mother Earth from the walking Monks who ended the circle of flame, and took my struggle away.

In Japan now, we have various problems such as the accident at a nuclear power generation plant. It has brought about a struggle of mental conflict, confusion and feeling defeated, but at the same time, it call us to remember the Walking Monks, the American people who supported them and the people who continue to pray for peace on the other side of the world, that makes me feel calm encouragement without anger.

I sincerely pray that many people watch this documentary, experience their own healing, and transform all despair and negativity to faith, hope and true joy.

I hope we will be on friendly terms and create a future to live happily for all living things. 

* Thank you Michiko, Taka, and Tomomi for sending us these message. I am grateful for the voluntary work in translation by Miki Hendrics, Mikari Irei Le Blanc, and Eriko Tanaka.