The bell’s sound springs off of the mountainside and bathes the temple in peace just seconds after it is thumped by the hammer sending the echoing ring across the island.
The smell of incense, continuously burned for years, saturates the wooden walls of the open-sided halls that blend the outside with the in.
A cubby full of shoes just outside the temple reminds even the non-religious that they have found a sacred place. And a quiet that blankets the grounds makes evident the respect shown by all.
Nestled in the mountainside, the Byodo-In Temple exemplifies the spirituality of this beautiful Hawaiian island. It’s location (centered between Waikiki and the North Shore) is metaphorical to how the island of Oahu is able to manage a balance between viscous tourism and deep-rooted tradition.
KJAC Travel 