Prayers In The Emergency Room

Shoen Matsumoto is both a trained paramedic and Buddhist monk attached to a hospital. While providing emergency care straight from the mortuary while still in monk clothes unnerves some patients, Shoen nevertheless proves fully devoted to saving lives, and if that’s not possible, performing rites of spiritual passage for those that die. Dedicated to both roles, he finds himself often at odds with other doctors and colleagues over the best care for patients while bringing solace that only he can to bereaved families. As a doctor, his mission is to save lives. As a monk, it’s saving souls. Growing through this existential struggle, Shoen gives us a life-size drama in which to reflect on the true meaning of life and death.