Summary: Our second "sashimi" style show from Hawaii. Coming to you from the magnificent "Byodo In" Temple in the Valley of the Temples on Oahu. This show's also coming to you raw and unedited (sorry for the wind noise) - from the island of Oahu in the state of Hawaii. Today we visit the Byodo In Temple which is located at the foot of the 2,000 foot Ko'olau Mountains in the Valley of the Temples.The Temple was built in the 1960's to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the arrival of the first Japanese immigrant workers to Hawaii. It's a recreation of the 950-year-old Byodoin Templ in Uji, Japan. The jewel of the temple is the golden "Lotus Buddha" (because he sits upon a lotus flower). This is the largest wooden Buddha carved in the last 900 years. It is decorated with gold leaf. Like its sister in Japan, the main building is called the "Hoodo" or "Hall of the Chinese Phoenix." The floor plan models that of the Phoenix bird. Next to the Hoodo is a smaller bell-house which holds the 5-foot, 3-ton brass "peace bell." Ring it three times before entering the temple (and be sure to remove your shoes. Once you're inside, light a stick of incense (provided in front of the buddha), find a private corner then sit and meditate. The Byodo-In Temple was used as a location in the first season of "Lost," (it was as the estate of Sun's father). Address: 47-200 Kahekili Highway in the Valley of the Temples. From Honolulu and Waikiki take the H1 West from downtown Honolulu. Exit onto the Likelike Highway and go north through the mountains and tunnel. Exit onto the Kahekili Highway (83) and continue north for about three miles. Turn left into the Valley of the Temples. The Byodo-In Temple is located in the back of the Valley of the Temples.--------------------------------------------------------------------© 2006 Greg Roach. All Rights Reserved
