Fierce Light continues the quest for a fusion between spirituality and activism previously explored in Velcrow Ripper’s award-winning feature documentary ScaredSacred (Special Jury Prize, Toronto International FIlm Festival). It was executive produced by Mark Achbar, (The Corporation -Audience Award, Sundance).

379 young Vietnamese monks and nuns of Bat Nha Monastery, practicing in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh, are facing religious persecution from the Vietnamese government. Previously welcomed, it seems the state now feels threatened by the rising popularity of Thich Nhat Hanh’s form of engaged Buddhism in the country, and has cracked down. Having been evicted from their monastery they took refuge in a small temple in Bao Loc city.

Police are trying to disband them and December has been given as the date when they must leave the temple. Other temples around the country, while willing, have been barred from accepting them. The state in effect wants to prevent these young monks and nuns from staying together as a community and further, it seems, aim to eradicate the Thich Nhat Hanh tradition within Vietnam. To learn more, visit: http://www.helpbatnha.org.