Byodo-In

Note from the Photographer

The Byodo-In Temple is a non-denominational Buddhist temple nestled in the Valley of the Temples Memorial Park on the island of Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi. Dedicated in August 1968, it was built to honor the centennial of Japanese immigration to Hawaiʻi. Modeled after a 900-year-old temple in Uji, Kyoto, Japan, the 11,000 sq ft structure houses an 18-foot gold-and-lacquer statue of the Lotus Buddha (Amitābha). Outside stands a three-ton brass peace bell, while two acres of koi ponds and lush Japanese gardens surround the grounds, all framed by the dramatic cliffs of the Koʻolau Range. The temple welcomes visitors of all faiths and is used for worship, meditation, weddings, and cultural events.