Healing States · Episode 05

Buddhist Firewalkers and African Orishas

The Japanese Buddhists and the African slaves brought their mystical practices with them to Brazil. Four times per year the Buddhist monks walk over a 20 foot long bed of red-hot coals to demonstrate that we have powers and abilities of which we do not suspect. In north Brazil, the African Candomble is practiced today as it was 300 years ago when the first slaves arrived in the new world. In the temple of Yemenja, a young man is initiated as a disciple of the god Ogun, and enters into mystical communion with the Orishas.

Directed by Angelika Lizius / Alberto Villoldo