I always enjoy my visits here. A quiet and peaceful oasis in the valley with warm and welcoming…read morecommunity. The people here are always very nice and helpful with the practices. They have 2 resident lamas, Lama Rinchen who I've met a few times is a very nice man who was born in Tibet (very surprising considering Tibet's history). He was kind enough to share some stories of his life and motivation for becoming a monk (which was very much appreciated as it was late). I've only met Lama Tempa Gyeltshen once though my impressions are him being very nice as well with a very beautiful voice. I'm not an expert or well practiced in chanting by any means, however, if you join them, I recommend listening to his voice. The tone, melody and subtleties of the sounds are really enjoyable and make changing along easier! If you are able to donate, I recommend doing so! They are such a gem. While covid is happening they are conducting their programs online. I look forward to practicing in person with them when it is safe again!

We visited this temple and was fortunately invited in and had a chance to talk to the Lama. I…read moreforgot his name, but he is here visiting from France. He was very friendly, kind and welcoming us like special guests. We were offered a delicious tea by a young lady who was very sweet. This temple is very nice, peaceful. We will definitely visit here again the next time we are on the island.

THIS TEMPLE IS NOT HANDICAP FRIENDLY!!…read more Friday. I purchased my food at the food booth and placed it all in a soda box and then placed it on top of my walker and headed back to the elevator to go down to the social hall to meet up with my wife. As soon i get to the elevator the bonsan (Buddhist monk) is placing an out of order sign on the elevator and tells me in english that it's not working. I ask him if he can please help me carry the soda box of food down to the social hall, he looks at me and then walks away. Luckily another person (who is also disabled) who was helping tape out of order signs was able to help me take it down the steps.

Five stars. The Winter Bazaar was held today, on 10-06-13. It was really fun, not crowded at all,…read morehowever it rained a bit. A lot of snack foods in the parking lot and a white elephant and craft sale in the Hall. All in all, it was fun!

The food that they serve at their Bon dance is some of the best I've had! I come to their Bon dance…read moreon both days to dance, but a lot of people came just to pick up food and leave - they know ball I guess. The venue is definitely a smaller, more private vibe which I truly appreciate. They usually hold their Bon dance at the same time as others so you need to make a very important choice as to which one to go to. I always opt for this one. It's my favorite one! I go every year and planning to make this one the only bon dance I go to from now on.

I've never thought of myself as a believer, but I found myself more enlightened when I come to…read morethese kinds of places. They're like life insurance: they're there when you need them. Same like temples, parks, zoos, etc. You get the idea. I found this gem pretty close to my work place, so on a whim on a random work day, I stopped here for about 1/2 hour on an "extended" lunch break to check things out. First things I did notice was the parking, it can be quit tight here, so you may just need to find parking on the side street. Being that it's location in Kalihi, it's kind of gets weird at night especially when Kuhio Park Terrace and Kalihi Valley Homes nearby. With that said, these Buddhist shrines installs a sense of calm in one's life. While we do pass them in our daily lives without much thought to them, when you start to just make time to stop by and check things out, you'd be amazed on what goes on here on a day to day life. I was raised a Chinese Buddhist, so coming here was just second nature. Although I went to a Catholic school for a few years, I didn't buy into the whole Christian thing, but that's another story to tell. The temple is somewhat small, but adequate for everyone to do their respects, worship, and whatever else they do here. Now more than ever, spiritual prayers and just being aware of yourself, spiritually and emotionally, can re-energize yourself within this place. Donations are always appreciative and it stimulates good relations with the temple and the spiritual energy that surrounds this place. You could call it karma, but it's just the right thing to do. While I don't come here every day, since I have my regular place at the Kuan Yin Temple on Vineyard Blvd, this place is always nice to visit and do your thing. A++

Shinnyo-En is responsible for the very popular Lantern Floating that takes place at Ala Moana Beach…read morePark. Shinnyo-En and its members, are dedicated in making this event a success. Preparation starts months prior to, they are so organized and insist on handling each step with the utmost care and order. For the volunteers, it is mandatory to watch an orientation video, which will even include instructions on how to wash your hands before helping. It's so amazing that they manage to assemble thousands of lanterns, while working in a small space. Lanterns are neatly packed away and prayer requests are handled with so much respect and manner. Your religious belief is not a concern, they welcome everyone to participate and come together for the remembrance of a special someone. A truly touching time of the year... Lantern Floating Hawaii, is where thousands gather (50,000 in 2017) for the same reason on Memorial Day, all possible thanks to Shinnyo-En, and it's members.

I have been a member of Shinnyo-en for over 15 years. I wasn't religious before becoming connected…read more(besides attending Buddhist funeral services and going to obon dances for surface level reasons). I enjoy this temple because they are very accepting of everyone, no matter what, due to the belief that everyone has Buddha-nature and the potential to grow inside of them. I never ever feel judged or worried. Everyone is so welcoming, whether you're a regular or a new face. I also appreciate that they are completely fine with me exploring other religions and freely accept people following (previously or currently) other religions. In fact, the head of our temple also attends services and blesses sites of other religions around the world. If I want to attend my friend's Christian services, I never feel like I am doing something wrong or should be ashamed. Some things to note if you are a new-comer: -There are numerous parking lots and street parking for you to use for free (see photo). There are usually attendants outside of the lots to welcome/guide you and if the lots are full, they usually have a sign out marking that. We usually try to park at one of the farther lots so that the elderly, those with young children, and those that are running late can have an easier time getting to temple. -We take off our shoes and wear socks inside the main building. There are lockers and shoe racks for you to use. If you forget socks, you can borrow a pair from the front desk. The front desk can also lend you a chanting book (English or Japanese), an okesa (you wear it around your neck), and if you let them know you are new, they can have someone guide you/explain things to you if you'd like. -There are usually rooms that play videos of the service in Japanese and rooms that play the videos in English. There are headsets to borrow too (they have dubs in the opposite language of the video and also in the same language if you just want to hear it louder). -There is a room that younger children and their parents usually go to (though it's not required) and there's also a separate building for babies and their parents (again, not required). -If you are in a wheelchair or prefer being in an open air room, you can view the service from a room next to the patio area. -There are refreshments for donation in the patio area (cup noodles, juices, sodas, etc.) It's common for people to hang out and socialize in the patio area and under the mango tree after service (: -There's also a training center in Pearl City if you don't want to drive all the way to town. Be sure to check the schedule though, as I think there are different services from the main temple. -If you are a new comer, any service is great but I highly recommend setsubun (good luck bean throwing) service in February--it's so much fun!

While this review may mainly focus on the bon dance event to me how a temple runs their event is a…read moredirect reflection of themselves. [HANDICAP] There is handicap parking available on a first come, first serve basis. So do come early or be prepared to be dropped off. [PARKING] Other lots available nearby, suggest calling the temple the week leading up to the Bon Dance to ask where parking is available.

I am a member of the community this temple is at. I used to feel more welcomed here, but recently…read morethey made it clear the neighbors aren't welcome.

My sister used to attend when she lived near here, this is a cousin to the Midwest Buddhist Temple…read morein Chicago. They were friendly, welcoming, and the temple has a simple Japanese-Hawai'ian charm. During COVID they have had combination in person and virtual services. Easy to get here from the hotels by The Bus.

I have been attending Moiliili Hongwanji since I was a baby (over 30 years)…read more The temple has been through many renovations since I've first attended. They added an elevator and a lift for those who are handicapped, the temple naijin has been refurbished, the old pews have been replaced with nice blue chairs, and the temple and the annex hall is air-conditioned. There is temple services every Sunday. During the week, they have Zumba, Ikebana, and other classes that they offer. The temple members are very welcoming. Since I've been attending Moiliili Hongwanji, every resident minister that was there, have been wonderful too! I have attended other temples around the state and I feel like Moiliili Hongwanji makes me feel more at home. If you're ever in the area, please come check them out and attend a Sunday Service at 9 a.m. They welcome everyone. You don't have to Buddhist or Japanese to attend!

This temple is really excellent, beautiful and peaceful, completely awesome. This temple have nice…read moredeity beautiful Panch tattva also Jagannath, Baldev and Subhadra maharani. Actually this temple is good for Yuga also Krishna consciousness meditation for kids to teenagers also old ones, there are beautiful environment nice flowers fragrance oxygen, yes good everything is fine.

It's an awesome place to stay . Very clean, pleasant, peaceful and divine. Their buffet was amazing…read more. I stayed there for a week and all my stress, anxiety and negativity disappeared. Highly recommended!!!!

COVID-19 UPDATE It…read moreis important for people to have access to places of worship in times of crisis. When things are bleak, people need religion to have hope. It is only natural for them to ask God or the Buddha for strength and protection. The COVID-19 pandemic is a once is a century crisis. This is not the time for a temple to temporarily close. My aunty passed away and her journey to the Pure Land began with her passing. In Pure Land Buddhism, there are services on the 3rd, 7th, 49th and 100th day after death. Each service is a transition from death, the physical world and the spiritual world of the Pure Land. My aunt's 100th day service was scheduled for April 20th but was cancelled by the temple because of the COVID-19 pandemic. My cousin was devastated. There is no greater love than the love my cousin had for her mother. The minister at Jodo Mission proposed a service with no one in attendance. My cousin would drop off her mother's urn and ihai at the temple entrance; and she would wait in her car until the service was over. For Buddhist, the 100th day service is important because it is the last chance for love ones to say goodbye by reciting the Nembutsu while a priest chants sutras of farewell. After this ceremony, a spirit leaves the physical world and eternally lives in the spiritual. My cousin called, saying that she could not let me sit in my car for the service and therefore asked me not to come. I thought the temples decision lacked consideration of how important the 100th day service is for those that believed in the teaching of Saint Honen's, Pure Land Buddhism. It lacked compassion; a pillar in Buddhism and I didn't understand. April 18, 2020 I called and spoke with the minister that was to officiate of my aunt's service and proposed a service limited to 5 people. Attendees would follow all government COVID-19 guidelines, He said no. I told him that I understood his fear but believed Saint Honen would allow this ceremony because of the significance of the 100th day service. He still said no. I asked if he would be willing to perform the service at my cousin's house and he said no. I asked if I could talk to another minister to see if that minister would be willing to perform the service at my cousin's home. He said he would have another minister call me. Two hours later, another minister calls and said he was NOT willing to perform a service at my cousin's house. In a final attempt, I asked if he would be willing to perform a graveside service with only my cousin in attendance but apologized and said no. I was frustrated. I went to the Jodo Mission website and read the directive regarding services at Jodo Shu during this COVID-19 age. I read a letter by Bishop Kosen Ishikawa, the head of all Jodo Mission's in Hawaii. In my reading, there was no ban on off-site services and in my interpretation, services at the temple may be allowed as long as they followed government COVID-19 guidelines. I called Bishop Ishikawa at his Koloa, Kauai Jodo Mission for clarification and discussed my cousin's predicament, regarding her mother's 100th day service. I summarized my discussion with the ministers at Jodo Mission Makiki. I stated how Buddhism was important to a person in times of crisis. I pointed out how Buddhism was a religion of love and compassion. I said in Pure Land Buddhism the 100th day service was second in importance only to the 49th day service. I said I believed a 100th day service could safely be held if no more than 8 people, wearing mask and gloves and performing social distancing were allowed attendance. I explain how a home 100th day service was safe for a minister if only my cousin and I were in attendance and if that wasn't possible, a graveside service at my aunt's parents grave with only my cousin in attendance was surely very safe. Bishop Ishikawa was very understanding. He agreed that the 100th day service was extremely important. He agreed that there was a way to have a safe service that conformed to CDC guidelines "IN" the temple. He would talk to the ministers so that my aunty's 100th day service could be held in the temple. 30 minutes later, my cousin called saying that Jodo Mission would allow her mother's 100th day service "IN" the temple with she, a minister, me and another cousin in attendance. We would be required to wear mask, execute social distancing and wear gloves. She was extremely happy. The 100th day ceremony was beautiful and my aunty safely completed her journey to the Pure Land. My cousin is eternally grateful to Bishop Ishikawa for coming to the aid of her family in this time of crisis. It was extremely important for her to physically be there to express her love and say goodbye to her mother through the chants and music of the 100th day service. She was both sad and happy with it's completion. Bishop Kosen Ishikawa, you are truly compassionate, wise and great. You restored my faith in Buddhism. Domo arigato gozaimashita!