Tibetan lamas visit Kaua‘i for blessing in Moloa‘a

On February 19 the first Tibetan stupa on Kaua‘i was consecrated with a gathering of Tibetan lamas from the four main Hawaiian islands. A stupa is a Buddhist monument representing the enlightened mind of wisdom and compassion. It is said that walking around a stupa while wishing for the welfare of others is an act of great merit. The event came on the 5th day of a ceremony traditionally held prior to Losar, the Tibetan new year, occurring this year on February 25. It is a spiritual practice to purify the negativity of the prior year and to pray for the positive outcome of the female earth ox year to come. Members of the Kaua‘i Dharma Center and other residents of the island joined the lamas in this most auspicious event.

The recently finished 17-foot high marble stupa located in a peace park at 6780 Koolau Road in Moloa‘a is care-taken by the Hawaiian non-profit group, The Dharma Sanctuary. The stupa is dedicated to the Tibetan teacher, Kalu Rinpoche, who is most responsible for the spread of Tibetan Buddha Dharma in the Hawaiian Islands beginning in the 1970s. His lama disciples leading the ceremonies were Lama Karma Rinchen and Lama Tempa of Kagyu Thegchen Ling in O‘ahu, Lama Gyaltsen of Karma Rimay Osal Ling in Maui, and western Lama Tashi of the Kaua‘i Dharma Center in Kapa‘a.  Lama Debela of the Dalai Lama’s Gelupa lineage, represented the Wood Valley temple in the Big Island.

What follows are directions from Kapa‘a to the lotus stupa at the Dharma Sanctuary. Off the highway turn right on Koolau Road. Follow Koolau Rd for 1.6 miles until you reach the concrete driveway on your right with the number sign: 6780 Koolau Rd. For more information on the lotus stupa visit dharmasanctuary.org or call, 651-3402. For more information on Kaua‘i Dharma Center visit kauaidharma.org or call Lama Tashi, 652-0551.