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| The temple has hosted
numerous retreats with head and lineage lamas of all schools of
Tibetan Buddhism. Seminars and meditation programs cover a
wide range of subjects, from foundational philosophy to the
Highest Yoga Tantras and Dzogchen. His Holiness the Dalai
Lama dedicated Nechung Dorje Drayang Ling in October, 1980; and
visited once again in April, 1994, giving a public talk to a crowd
of several thousand people.
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Temple Guest House |
The
main temple at Drayang Ling was built at the turn of the century as a
Japanese Nichiren Mission. Once a populated plantation village,
today Wood Valley is in one of the most secluded areas in Hawai'i.
The Guest House is a two story building - the upper level, originally a
Shingon shrine in lower Pahala, was relocated to its present site in
1978. Two guest rooms on this floor overlook the main temple and
beautiful grounds. A carpeted meditation hall dedicated to Tara can be
used for various activities. Additional rooms, a screened kitchen
and dining area are on the ground floor.
Throughout the years, consistent efforts have been made to maintain
these historic structures; and to landscape the grounds into the
beautiful park it is today. Most of the land is covered with
towering eucalyptus, and many varieties of palms and bamboo.
Exotic fruit trees encircle the brightly painted temple and enclave of
buildings. The vivid colors of tropical flowers punctuate the rich
green foliage, and often, the scent of wild jasmine, ylang ylang and
ginger blossoms permeate the entire space. There is an
extraordinary peaceful ambience here - an intangible feeling of serenity
and refuge from the ordinary world.
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