Nechung Dorje Drayang Ling
Nechung Dorje Drayang Ling is a non-sectarian Buddhist temple and retreat center in Wood Valley, Ka’u on the island of Hawai’i. It is a center for the dissemination of Buddhist teachings, a place for great masters to teach and for students to receive and actualize these instructions through contemplation and meditation. Equal in importance is to provide facilities for other religious, secular and community groups to hold programs in pursuit of their respective philosophies and practices. Individual visitors may also stay here for quiet introspection and rest.
Mission
Throughout the years, consistent efforts have been made to renovate these historic structures; and to landscape the grounds into the beautiful park it is today. Towering eucalyptus, palms, and bamboo encircle the brightly painted temple and its enclave of buildings. The vivid colors of tropical flowers punctuate the rich green foliage, and often, the scent of wild jasmine and ginger blossoms permeates the entire space. There is an extraordinary peaceful ambience here – an intangible feeling of serenity and refuge from the ordinary world.
The future is a vision in support of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s message of individuals’ responsibility in the global community through personal clarity, insight and altruistic actions. Nechung Dorje Drayang Ling will continue to develop programs to address the spiritual and environmental concerns of the local and international community; build the necessary facilities to hold such events; and offer a conducive environment to give human beings the inspiration and favorable circumstances for the cultivation of compassion and wisdom, to accomplish happiness and world peace.
History
Established in 1973 by Nechung Rinpoche, the grand lama of Nechung Monastery in Lhasa, Tibet and Dharamsala, India; the temple hosts many programs with head and lineage lamas of all the schools of Tibetan Buddhism. Seminars and retreats 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.
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 one of the most secluded areas in the Hawaiian Islands. The present retreat center is a two story building; the upper level, originally a Shingon shrine in lower Pahala, was relocated to its present site in 1978. It has a large carpeted room that can be used for multiple activities; with a screened kitchen, dining hall, private and dormitory quarters.
The Early Pioneers
He told them of the temple in Wood Valley which had been abandoned when Ka’u Sugar closed down an adjacent camp for cane workers. Since the Nichiren Mission had not been active for some years, a sublease was given to the Vajra Sangha, a non-profit organization set up for the purpose of sponsoring Nechung Rinpoche and channeling the funds for the temple restoration. Restoration on the temple buildings began in November of 1973 and the initial phase was completed a year later. Fundraising efforts to support the project were organized in Honolulu for the cause. These included the Diamond Head Crater Festival and the Manoa Valley Pops Festival, with local musicians and groups. Vajra Sangha later dissolved, and in 1976, Nechung Dorje Drayang Ling, a non-profit 501(c)3 religious organization was formed.
The Nichiren Mission in Kapapala, Ka'u
