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About a year ago, I injured myself and was in crutches but still made it a point to visit this temple. Since my mobility was so limited, I didn't get to experience the temple grounds the same way my pre-injured self would have. I told myself that I would return when I could fully walk again, and that is exactly what I did today. This temple is absolutely gorgeous. I loved how serene it felt to walk each step through the staircases and throughout the temple -- there is a certain peace you can find here whether or not meditation is your goal. The fresh flowers, plants, and trees help you forget all of your worries and troubles. So easy to pause here -- and to soak in the amazing views of nature and to appreciate every angle of this property. There are beautiful Buddha statues that you can whisper a prayer to and the light winds make it feel like as if you're being heard. It's really magical. In the very back, there is a cemetery but not what one would envision with tombstones and alike. There are small Buddha statues that represent a loved one someone put to rest. This temple doesn't require a fee but does suggest to 'donate' $3 per per general admission. If possible, give more because this place offers more than tranquility -- one could find wonderful moments of reflection and gratefulness here. Locals and tourists: make a morning out of a visit here. It's too underrated, and way too epic to pass up. Enjoy.
Ok, Five Stars, but seriously, I don't get this restaurant at all. Although it's a little difficult to find, when you do finally find the place, the natural beauty of the location seems reward enough for the effort. It's separated from the adjacent neighborhood by lush tropical vegetation in every imaginable shade of green. The restaurant itself was in very colorfully painted, Asian-style building with a tall pointy roof like some old place. Really breathtakingly beautiful building. The grounds around the restaurant are filled with Asian artworks. Now you know I'm not one to complain, but... There was no one to greet us when we arrived. We didn't have reservations and we just wanted to know how long it would be for a table. We waited five minutes at the entrance and then my wife noticed a box that said to put in $3 each. I thought it was weird to have a cover charge for lunch, but whatever, I'm travelling, so OK. We each put in our three dollars and waited. Nothing happened. We figured the hostess was on break or something so we just walked to the next big building to see if we could find a waiter and get a table. We saw a guy outside the building, I couldn't tell if he was a waiter or not. He nodded when he saw me. So I walked over where he was. I asked if he worked there. He nodded. He said he was a monk. Evidently the waiters here are called monks. That's a new one to me. I told him we were two for lunch. He looked at me for a moment and then he just walked away. Ok. I'm not sure what I was supposed to do. We waited to see if someone was going to show us to a table but no one ever came. Weird, right? I wish I could tell you about the food, but we never got to try any. My guess is it's probably pretty good. It was kind of confusing, but I loved my visit to this beautiful place. If your belly is empty, I highly recommend a good meal at an actual restaurant before visiting. The nourishment they provide here is of a different kine. Mikey C says: Philosophy is too much responsibility for me.
A hidden adventure in Palolo Valley (Honolulu)... If you have time to explore and are interested in Asian culture, this Temple might be a great place for you to visit. I didn't know that there was a difference between Chinese, Japanese, and Korean Buddhists. It seems to me that the Korean architecture is more colorful. I did recognize Kwan Yin statue, a dragon-turtle figurine, incense holders, and Lotus buds. There was no one around to give us a tour or to ask for information. We just wandered and enjoyed the landscaping and architecture. We parked on the street even though there is Visitor Parking. It was our first time here and maybe we will return on a significant day or for a festival. Overall, it was a peaceful and beautiful experience!
I had NO idea this place existed...!!! I stumbled upon this place through Yelp while stalking...errr...browsing several of my fellow yelpers check - in's.. My fellow South Bay Elite: Ter L. pics and review caught my eye...Mahalo Ter! Sooo...weird. I never heard of this place! My ohana never heard of this place either...so we made it a point to check it out. Took a side trip and went with my cousin... One would really need to be looking for this temple or stumble upon it while looking for something else. Smack down in the middle of a neighborhood....very local. According to the website, the temple hosts a myriad amount of activities such as yoga, mediation, painting etc. Check it out: https://muryangsatemple.com/events/ The temple also has some interesting history... "The temple's name, Mu-Ryang-Sa, means "Broken Ridge Temple." You may have noticed on your drive up that the top ridge of the temple is broken. What appears as a flaw of the temple has both a story and a significant Buddhist teaching. The construction of the first temple building began in 1980, but during the temple's construction, it was discovered that the roof of the main hall exceeded City and County height limitations. As a result, the roof was lowered to its present height. In Buddha's teachings, he speaks of shattering our inner ridge-poles of ignorance, greed, and craving in our "house of illusion." The shattering of ignorance by wisdom results in the demolition of illusion and the attainment of liberation-or nirvana. As with the enlightenment of the Buddha, may the shattering of our own inner-roofs remind us of the structures of ignorance that can be let go to reach the true heights of our inner liberation." - Stolen from their website. Cool spot, definitely worth a visit, but I wouldn't go out of the way to come here...
Mu-Ryang-Sa is by far the most beautiful temple I had the pleasure of visiting while in Honolulu. My guy and I made the time to drive out and explore this place of worship primarily thanks to the amazing posts we found on Yelp. With that being said, believe me when I tell you that pictures do not do this place any justice. Parking wasn't an issue for us. We found plenty of available spots along the street - we left and returned to our rental without any issues. Granted, there was one gentleman who was giving us the stank eye but we ignored him and proceeded to the temple's entrance. Mu-Ryang-Sa is spacious, clean, and so so open!! You are surrounded by tropical plants, sky-high palm trees, and the warmth from the sun is absolutely invigorating. Beautiful statues leave you in awe while the peaceful environment releases you from life's stresses. 5/5 stars from my experience and visit. I enjoyed having the entire temple to ourselves. I was able to explore the grounds at my own pace and didn't have to wait around on other people in order to snag a good photo. I appreciated the donation requests weren't being forced upon visitors and the suggested rates are an absolute steal. This place deserves waaay more than the $3 general admission they are hoping for and we happily delivered. You won't be disappointed!!
Not an hour drive from the city of Waikiki, you'll find a hidden gem lie on the place called Halelaau. Seems like a lot of tourists never found it coz compare to other temples we've been to this one is the less visited place. The place isn't that big but doesn't mean its bad at all. Palm trees grown and some colorful flowers are available ready to be capture by your lens. Include the infrastructure and details of each temple and you'll appreciate how they really plan to build this one. I love how they design the statues on it. It is literally a hidden gem coz they don't have their own parking space for the visitors but you can park nearby the neighborhood, just make sure to drive slow coz on the 2nd block it might be narrow. Always remember to give your best respect because this temple is in the middle of neighborhood and please remember on Leave-No-Trace-Policy on any place. No food stalls or gift shops inside, so if you're a kind of person who eats every minute (just like me sometimes) bring your own food with you and make sure to put your trash on the proper bin. And also, since it is located on the foot of the mountain, expect that any time it will rain. The last time we went there the rain pour thoroughly and we were stuck on the place as a result, waiting the rain to slow down. Better be prepared and bring your umbrella or poncho with you. Tuck them on your pants! $3.00 for admission but it is optional. And if you have the heart to help maintain the place, please 3 dollars won't make you poor. Cash only, just don't complicate it. Hehehe. A must visit place. Will not offer you that much but the jaw dropping scenery of the mountain will make you fall in love the place.
A peaceful respite only minutes from the city, Mu Ryang Sa is a gem worth visiting for both tourists and Hawaii residents. Even the rain and wind could not detract from the beauty of the temple and its gardens. This temple is built in the style of most Buddhist temples you will find in South Korea. I really felt as if I had been transported back to South Korea when I entered this temple. The only difference are the tropical plants! This temple is highly recommended for anyone seeking some peace and serenity, or is interested in East Asian Buddhism as a philosophy, religion, or simply to admire its architecture. The temple is located in a residential neighborhood. You will need to park your car along the street and walk up to the temple entrance.
! Happy New Years! We wanted to give thanks for all the blessings we have received for New Years, I was in search of a temple to visit, and as a Korean American, I was shocked I had no idea about Mu-Ryang-Sa Korean Buddhist temple in Hawaii, which means "broken ridge"! This place is one of Hawaii's hidden gems and is not as touristy as other popular temples. Information is a bit lacking online when it comes to the temple, it's almost like a secret to come and visit, luckily it seems nothing has changed and hours are open daily from 9:00 a.m to 5:00 p.m, services are held Sunday morning starting at 10:00 a.m I believe, so please be courteous and quiet when you see a service happening. The designs and painting of the temple is so beautiful, it reminded me of the palace details I saw in Gyeongbokgung palace in Korea. You are also surrounded by beautiful, mountains which you can overlook as you walk up to one of the balcony's. Come and make a quiet visit and don't forget to light and incense and offer a donatIon, $3 is recommended.
Beautiful temple tucked away (I mean REALLY tucked away) in a mountainside. There's. $5 donation ask before you get in. Beautiful gardens and statues of the Buddha and the 4 heavenly kings. There were live turtles in the ponds. Peaceful. If you need a spot to ground and get away from your hustle and bustle of vacation or whatever this is your place. People were quiet but friendly.
Read about this and decided to visit today. WOW! Impressed with the history, beauty, and serenity of this special place. Clearly we were in a place of worship. If you have time, you will enjoy this magnificent destination.
Beautiful, calm temple. You don't have to pay a fee to enter but please make a donation to support. It looks like they also offer temple stays and sell their own doenjang (soybean paste) and soy sauce!
A fortuitous mistake. Or was it really? Date: Sunday, October 9, 2016 Time: Approximately 1030 Hours On this day, our original plan was to lounge around the hotel until check-out time before transferring to another hotel just a few steps away. Instead of waiting, we decided to check-out earlier than planned and further explore Oahu before attending my cousin's after-wedding BBQ in Kaneohe later that afternoon. Wifey remembered a Buddhist Temple she saw on one of the brochures, but we Yelped this one instead by accident...and we couldn't be more happier. The temple is located in Palolo Valley, about a 15 minute drive from our hotel up a narrow street that reminded the Wifey of her hometown of Baguio City, Philippines. The temple and compound sits on top of a ridge that offers a magnificent view of Waikiki below. It's in a quiet neighborhood that was very peaceful and friendly. The main gate is on Halelaau Place and we found street parking just a few yards away. As soon as you enter the main gate, there are 4 giant statues on both sides (2 on each side) to greet you that are magnificent, colorful, elaborate and impressive. Each statue represent the Heavenly Kings as they sit on four directions: North, South, East and West. The Heavenly Kings guard to protect us from greed, lust, violence and pride. As you pass the main gate, take the steps up leading to the main lawn where the World Peace Pagoda is located in the center; It's an exact replica of a historical pagoda in South Korea from 57 BC to 935 AD. Also in the main lawn is the Great Hero Hall, Dharma Hall, the Hall of Memorial to the Departed, the Bell Tower, the Statue of Miruk Boddhisatava and the Goddess Statue. Since it was a Sunday, there was a service in session and we didn't want to be too intrusive. However, we were welcome and free to roam around as long as we did it respectfully and quietly. The temple welcomes all types of religions and backgrounds, and they also have meditation classes. For activities, they also have Korean Dance & Drum, Korean Language (reading and writing), Yoga, Painting and Korean Tea Ceremony. We didn't originally plan on being here, but somehow and someway, it felt like we were meant to be here. I'm not a religious person, but I am a spiritual person. I also converted to Buddhism about 20 years ago, and this place felt right at that moment. It was very tranquil, peaceful and beautiful. One can pray or meditate on their own or with a group as it just calls for it. Mu-Ryang-Sa is translated to mean "Broken Ridge Temple." It just so happens that the top ridge of the temple is broken, but nothing is at seems to appear as it is significant in Buddhist teaching. When the temple was under construction, it was discovered that the roof of the main hall exceeded City and County height limitations. Hence, the roof was lowered to conform to the rules and regulations. "In Buddha's teachings, we must shatter our inner ridge-poles of ignorance, greed, and craving in our "house of illusion." Accomplishing this wisdom results in the demolition of illusion and the attainment of liberation-or nirvana. As with the enlightenment of the Buddha, may the shattering of our own inner-roofs remind us of the structures of ignorance that can be let go to reach the true heights of our inner liberation." Note: I borrowed the last paragraphs in quotation marks straight from their website and I have a long way to go in obtaining inner liberation. It's a work in progress, but one that I take one step and one journey at a time.
So it's New Year's Eve and my friend who is visiting from China wants to burn incense at a Buddhist temple. After a fast Yelp search, I find this treasure! Mu-Ryang-Sa Buddhist Temple is amazing. It's located way back on 10th Avenue and they have their own parking but there is ample street parking. We arrived around 1 p.m. and there was not a Seoul in sight. Get It? Soul ha ha! It was like a step into a tropical Korea. It was quiet, serene, and peaceful. You pass through the entry hall where there are two larger-than-life figure is on either side there is a suggested $3 donation box. And as you wander the grounds I couldn't get over just how beautiful everything was. Pictures were not permitted inside of the main hall but the grounds were meticulously kept. I can't believe I've never been here before but it's definitely a must repeat for anyone who is interested in seeing Asian temples. Really fantastic!
3 years ago
Cyndy's Bottom Line: Peace & tranquility *Visitor Hours: 9-5pm daily *Admission by Donation: General $3.00, Seniors(60+) $2.00, Children $1.00, groups of 5 or more reservation in advance *Visitor parking lot on the premise has approximately 12 stalls or street parking within the neighborhood. *Be careful and drive slowly upon exiting the parking lot because of the steep driveway which may hit or damage the front end of your car. *There are activities held at the temple for the community- Korean service every Sunday 10:00-12noon. Insight or Vipassana meditation, Korean Dance and Drum, Korean Language (Reading and Writing), Painting, Yoga and Korean Tea Ceremony. *Website for more info - muryangsatemple.com e-mail: muryangsatemple@gmail.com Mu-Ryang-Sa Buddhist Temple is nestled deep in the lush, tranquil Palolo Valley for over 40 years and is the largest Korean Temple outside of Korea. The name of the temple means "Broken Ridge Temple.". What appears to be a flaw in the construction the roof was lowered because it exceeded the height limitation of the City & County. The temple is magnificent despite the roof's lower height. The grounds are beautiful and abundant with plants especially the variety of mango trees and coconut trees throughout the property. There are statues such as the Statue of Miruk Boddhisatava. There are lotus buds and lovely lotus flowers in bloom and pots of water lilies too. Water is saved in plastic containers and drums. The most interesting sight is the pots of aged miso and shoyu on the roof top below the temple. Highly recommmend a visit to capture the tranquility and beauty of the temple and Palolo Valley. read more
This beautiful Korean temple is a hidden gem of Honolulu, Hawaii. Tucked away into the mountainside of Palolo, a residential neighborhood, this temple is one of the largest Korean temples outside of Korea. There is a suggested donation and no photos inside the temple. My sister recommended this place and the views are absolutely spectacular and tranquil. Parking can be a bit steep when driving up, but there's plenty of parking spots. Highly recommend! read more
About a year ago, I injured myself and was in crutches but still made it a point to visit this temple. Since my mobility was so limited, I didn't get to experience the temple grounds the same way my pre-injured self would have. I told myself that I would return when I could fully walk again, and that is exactly what I did today. This temple is absolutely gorgeous. I loved how serene it felt to walk each step through the staircases and throughout the temple -- there is a certain peace you can find here whether or not meditation is your goal. The fresh flowers, plants, and trees help you forget all of your worries and troubles. So easy to pause here -- and to soak in the amazing views of nature and to appreciate every angle of this property. There are beautiful Buddha statues that you can whisper a prayer to and the light winds make it feel like as if you're being heard. It's really magical. In the very back, there is a cemetery but not what one would envision with tombstones and alike. There are small Buddha statues that represent a loved one someone put to rest. This temple doesn't require a fee but does suggest to 'donate' $3 per per general admission. If possible, give more because this place offers more than tranquility -- one could find wonderful moments of reflection and gratefulness here. Locals and tourists: make a morning out of a visit here. It's too underrated, and way too epic to pass up. Enjoy. read more
Ok, Five Stars, but seriously, I don't get this restaurant at all. Although it's a little difficult to find, when you do finally find the place, the natural beauty of the location seems reward enough for the effort. It's separated from the adjacent neighborhood by lush tropical vegetation in every imaginable shade of green. The restaurant itself was in very colorfully painted, Asian-style building with a tall pointy roof like some old place. Really breathtakingly beautiful building. The grounds around the restaurant are filled with Asian artworks. Now you know I'm not one to complain, but... There was no one to greet us when we arrived. We didn't have reservations and we just wanted to know how long it would be for a table. We waited five minutes at the entrance and then my wife noticed a box that said to put in $3 each. I thought it was weird to have a cover charge for lunch, but whatever, I'm travelling, so OK. We each put in our three dollars and waited. Nothing happened. We figured the hostess was on break or something so we just walked to the next big building to see if we could find a waiter and get a table. We saw a guy outside the building, I couldn't tell if he was a waiter or not. He nodded when he saw me. So I walked over where he was. I asked if he worked there. He nodded. He said he was a monk. Evidently the waiters here are called monks. That's a new one to me. I told him we were two for lunch. He looked at me for a moment and then he just walked away. Ok. I'm not sure what I was supposed to do. We waited to see if someone was going to show us to a table but no one ever came. Weird, right? I wish I could tell you about the food, but we never got to try any. My guess is it's probably pretty good. It was kind of confusing, but I loved my visit to this beautiful place. If your belly is empty, I highly recommend a good meal at an actual restaurant before visiting. The nourishment they provide here is of a different kine. Mikey C says: Philosophy is too much responsibility for me. read more
A hidden adventure in Palolo Valley (Honolulu)... If you have time to explore and are interested in Asian culture, this Temple might be a great place for you to visit. I didn't know that there was a difference between Chinese, Japanese, and Korean Buddhists. It seems to me that the Korean architecture is more colorful. I did recognize Kwan Yin statue, a dragon-turtle figurine, incense holders, and Lotus buds. There was no one around to give us a tour or to ask for information. We just wandered and enjoyed the landscaping and architecture. We parked on the street even though there is Visitor Parking. It was our first time here and maybe we will return on a significant day or for a festival. Overall, it was a peaceful and beautiful experience! read more
6 years ago
I had NO idea this place existed...!!! I stumbled upon this place through Yelp while stalking...errr...browsing several of my fellow yelpers check - in's.. My fellow South Bay Elite: Ter L. pics and review caught my eye...Mahalo Ter! Sooo...weird. I never heard of this place! My ohana never heard of this place either...so we made it a point to check it out. Took a side trip and went with my cousin... One would really need to be looking for this temple or stumble upon it while looking for something else. Smack down in the middle of a neighborhood....very local. According to the website, the temple hosts a myriad amount of activities such as yoga, mediation, painting etc. Check it out: https://muryangsatemple.com/events/ The temple also has some interesting history... "The temple's name, Mu-Ryang-Sa, means "Broken Ridge Temple." You may have noticed on your drive up that the top ridge of the temple is broken. What appears as a flaw of the temple has both a story and a significant Buddhist teaching. The construction of the first temple building began in 1980, but during the temple's construction, it was discovered that the roof of the main hall exceeded City and County height limitations. As a result, the roof was lowered to its present height. In Buddha's teachings, he speaks of shattering our inner ridge-poles of ignorance, greed, and craving in our "house of illusion." The shattering of ignorance by wisdom results in the demolition of illusion and the attainment of liberation-or nirvana. As with the enlightenment of the Buddha, may the shattering of our own inner-roofs remind us of the structures of ignorance that can be let go to reach the true heights of our inner liberation." - Stolen from their website. Cool spot, definitely worth a visit, but I wouldn't go out of the way to come here... read more
Mu-Ryang-Sa is by far the most beautiful temple I had the pleasure of visiting while in Honolulu. My guy and I made the time to drive out and explore this place of worship primarily thanks to the amazing posts we found on Yelp. With that being said, believe me when I tell you that pictures do not do this place any justice. Parking wasn't an issue for us. We found plenty of available spots along the street - we left and returned to our rental without any issues. Granted, there was one gentleman who was giving us the stank eye but we ignored him and proceeded to the temple's entrance. Mu-Ryang-Sa is spacious, clean, and so so open!! You are surrounded by tropical plants, sky-high palm trees, and the warmth from the sun is absolutely invigorating. Beautiful statues leave you in awe while the peaceful environment releases you from life's stresses. 5/5 stars from my experience and visit. I enjoyed having the entire temple to ourselves. I was able to explore the grounds at my own pace and didn't have to wait around on other people in order to snag a good photo. I appreciated the donation requests weren't being forced upon visitors and the suggested rates are an absolute steal. This place deserves waaay more than the $3 general admission they are hoping for and we happily delivered. You won't be disappointed!! read more
Not an hour drive from the city of Waikiki, you'll find a hidden gem lie on the place called Halelaau. Seems like a lot of tourists never found it coz compare to other temples we've been to this one is the less visited place. The place isn't that big but doesn't mean its bad at all. Palm trees grown and some colorful flowers are available ready to be capture by your lens. Include the infrastructure and details of each temple and you'll appreciate how they really plan to build this one. I love how they design the statues on it. It is literally a hidden gem coz they don't have their own parking space for the visitors but you can park nearby the neighborhood, just make sure to drive slow coz on the 2nd block it might be narrow. Always remember to give your best respect because this temple is in the middle of neighborhood and please remember on Leave-No-Trace-Policy on any place. No food stalls or gift shops inside, so if you're a kind of person who eats every minute (just like me sometimes) bring your own food with you and make sure to put your trash on the proper bin. And also, since it is located on the foot of the mountain, expect that any time it will rain. The last time we went there the rain pour thoroughly and we were stuck on the place as a result, waiting the rain to slow down. Better be prepared and bring your umbrella or poncho with you. Tuck them on your pants! $3.00 for admission but it is optional. And if you have the heart to help maintain the place, please 3 dollars won't make you poor. Cash only, just don't complicate it. Hehehe. A must visit place. Will not offer you that much but the jaw dropping scenery of the mountain will make you fall in love the place. read more
2 years ago
9 years ago
A peaceful respite only minutes from the city, Mu Ryang Sa is a gem worth visiting for both tourists and Hawaii residents. Even the rain and wind could not detract from the beauty of the temple and its gardens. This temple is built in the style of most Buddhist temples you will find in South Korea. I really felt as if I had been transported back to South Korea when I entered this temple. The only difference are the tropical plants! This temple is highly recommended for anyone seeking some peace and serenity, or is interested in East Asian Buddhism as a philosophy, religion, or simply to admire its architecture. The temple is located in a residential neighborhood. You will need to park your car along the street and walk up to the temple entrance. read more
! Happy New Years! We wanted to give thanks for all the blessings we have received for New Years, I was in search of a temple to visit, and as a Korean American, I was shocked I had no idea about Mu-Ryang-Sa Korean Buddhist temple in Hawaii, which means "broken ridge"! This place is one of Hawaii's hidden gems and is not as touristy as other popular temples. Information is a bit lacking online when it comes to the temple, it's almost like a secret to come and visit, luckily it seems nothing has changed and hours are open daily from 9:00 a.m to 5:00 p.m, services are held Sunday morning starting at 10:00 a.m I believe, so please be courteous and quiet when you see a service happening. The designs and painting of the temple is so beautiful, it reminded me of the palace details I saw in Gyeongbokgung palace in Korea. You are also surrounded by beautiful, mountains which you can overlook as you walk up to one of the balcony's. Come and make a quiet visit and don't forget to light and incense and offer a donatIon, $3 is recommended. read more
4 years ago
Beautiful temple tucked away (I mean REALLY tucked away) in a mountainside. There's. $5 donation ask before you get in. Beautiful gardens and statues of the Buddha and the 4 heavenly kings. There were live turtles in the ponds. Peaceful. If you need a spot to ground and get away from your hustle and bustle of vacation or whatever this is your place. People were quiet but friendly. read more
4 years ago
Read about this and decided to visit today. WOW! Impressed with the history, beauty, and serenity of this special place. Clearly we were in a place of worship. If you have time, you will enjoy this magnificent destination. read more
5 years ago
Beautiful, calm temple. You don't have to pay a fee to enter but please make a donation to support. It looks like they also offer temple stays and sell their own doenjang (soybean paste) and soy sauce! read more
A fortuitous mistake. Or was it really? Date: Sunday, October 9, 2016 Time: Approximately 1030 Hours On this day, our original plan was to lounge around the hotel until check-out time before transferring to another hotel just a few steps away. Instead of waiting, we decided to check-out earlier than planned and further explore Oahu before attending my cousin's after-wedding BBQ in Kaneohe later that afternoon. Wifey remembered a Buddhist Temple she saw on one of the brochures, but we Yelped this one instead by accident...and we couldn't be more happier. The temple is located in Palolo Valley, about a 15 minute drive from our hotel up a narrow street that reminded the Wifey of her hometown of Baguio City, Philippines. The temple and compound sits on top of a ridge that offers a magnificent view of Waikiki below. It's in a quiet neighborhood that was very peaceful and friendly. The main gate is on Halelaau Place and we found street parking just a few yards away. As soon as you enter the main gate, there are 4 giant statues on both sides (2 on each side) to greet you that are magnificent, colorful, elaborate and impressive. Each statue represent the Heavenly Kings as they sit on four directions: North, South, East and West. The Heavenly Kings guard to protect us from greed, lust, violence and pride. As you pass the main gate, take the steps up leading to the main lawn where the World Peace Pagoda is located in the center; It's an exact replica of a historical pagoda in South Korea from 57 BC to 935 AD. Also in the main lawn is the Great Hero Hall, Dharma Hall, the Hall of Memorial to the Departed, the Bell Tower, the Statue of Miruk Boddhisatava and the Goddess Statue. Since it was a Sunday, there was a service in session and we didn't want to be too intrusive. However, we were welcome and free to roam around as long as we did it respectfully and quietly. The temple welcomes all types of religions and backgrounds, and they also have meditation classes. For activities, they also have Korean Dance & Drum, Korean Language (reading and writing), Yoga, Painting and Korean Tea Ceremony. We didn't originally plan on being here, but somehow and someway, it felt like we were meant to be here. I'm not a religious person, but I am a spiritual person. I also converted to Buddhism about 20 years ago, and this place felt right at that moment. It was very tranquil, peaceful and beautiful. One can pray or meditate on their own or with a group as it just calls for it. Mu-Ryang-Sa is translated to mean "Broken Ridge Temple." It just so happens that the top ridge of the temple is broken, but nothing is at seems to appear as it is significant in Buddhist teaching. When the temple was under construction, it was discovered that the roof of the main hall exceeded City and County height limitations. Hence, the roof was lowered to conform to the rules and regulations. "In Buddha's teachings, we must shatter our inner ridge-poles of ignorance, greed, and craving in our "house of illusion." Accomplishing this wisdom results in the demolition of illusion and the attainment of liberation-or nirvana. As with the enlightenment of the Buddha, may the shattering of our own inner-roofs remind us of the structures of ignorance that can be let go to reach the true heights of our inner liberation." Note: I borrowed the last paragraphs in quotation marks straight from their website and I have a long way to go in obtaining inner liberation. It's a work in progress, but one that I take one step and one journey at a time. read more
So it's New Year's Eve and my friend who is visiting from China wants to burn incense at a Buddhist temple. After a fast Yelp search, I find this treasure! Mu-Ryang-Sa Buddhist Temple is amazing. It's located way back on 10th Avenue and they have their own parking but there is ample street parking. We arrived around 1 p.m. and there was not a Seoul in sight. Get It? Soul ha ha! It was like a step into a tropical Korea. It was quiet, serene, and peaceful. You pass through the entry hall where there are two larger-than-life figure is on either side there is a suggested $3 donation box. And as you wander the grounds I couldn't get over just how beautiful everything was. Pictures were not permitted inside of the main hall but the grounds were meticulously kept. I can't believe I've never been here before but it's definitely a must repeat for anyone who is interested in seeing Asian temples. Really fantastic! read more
11 years ago
You'd never guess that on an island of palm trees, pineapples, beaches and spontaneous, rainbows there would sit this beautiful Buddhist Temple in the hills of Palolo Valley! This temple is probably not as popular as the other temple in temple valley but what it lacks in popularity it gains in the absolute zen-like, peace and tranquility. I was lulled into finding this place from all the beautiful pictures I've seen on Instagram and it was a journey trying to figure out what and where this place was. Mu-Ryang-Sa has been on my radar for quite some time and has been one of Hawaii's best kept secret for the longest time (I'm hopeful it remains a secret after this review but if not, it'll be ok because something this beautiful is meant to be shared). So given one free day to play I sought to find this place. GPS directions did not fail me and you'll wonder as you go through residential streets if you are indeed headed to the correct place. Trek on and keep listening to that voice. Once you get there, do not be afraid to turn "into the temple," believe it or not there are free parking spaces behind the entrance. There is a posted fee to roam the temple which you place in the donation box. Give from the heart and you'll take away more than you give. The temple is open everyday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. When we visited, the temple grounds was empty. It seemed almost sinful to be there without instructions or directions so we carefully and quietly explored the entire temple grounds. Time seems to stop here and all the while we were exploring there was such a sense of spirituality, peace and love. It was so quiet and beautiful that I had forgotten how much I love the sound of silence. This temple is not big at all and you'll find yourself sitting forever in one place just admiring the architecture, colors and placement of every meaningful statue and item. From the second floor you will see a panoramic view of town and all of the chaos below but from my viewpoint, that's all but a world away. I'm not Buddhist by any means but you don't have to be to enjoy this temple. Just be respectful of the practice and the journey other people take to reach nirvana and/or peace. I hadn't read much about this place prior to coming here and as we were leaving I noticed that the temple "top" was broken. It looks as if it was partially torn down or broken and it really made me sad. Once we got home I decided to read up on the temple itself and learned that the builders had to shave off the top of the temple to comply with the City and County ordinances for building heights - hence the shaved/broken temple top and temple name. The temple meaning of Mu-Ryang-Sa means "broken ridge temple," and has come to signify an ah-ha moment for many buddhist practitioners. This place is magical and pure blissful for those seeking a moment of respite and peace. Mu-Ryang-Sa has a few significant "pieces" that stand out to me at this: The Bodhisattva Garden which houses an impressive 1080 stone statues - I'm not quite sure what it all means but it's a sight to behold. There is also the Lotus Pond Pagoda which is accessed by a footbridge, The World Peace Pagoda which is central at this temple as well as the Bell Tower. Also of notable significance is the Burning Tower. It would be interesting to go back knowing the meaning of each of these structures the second time around. Like aforementioned, even if you weren't Buddhist you can still appreciate the symbolism and beauty of such a tranquil place. Mu-Ryang-Sa offers a meditation class every Saturday afternoon at 4:00 PM that is open to the public and free of charge. This is "must see" and "must go" place if you are seeking some peace and quiet in your life. read more
Continuing on my journey of enlightenment, I read about this temple in the Honolulu Magazine and wanted to visit. It is an interesting journey to the location. I mean, you drive along a residential area, pass by a school, pass by some local markets, and more houses, and then you find it...peaceful serenity! There is parking for visitors, and there's even martial arts classes offered. I walked around to look at the different statues, but I did not go into any of the small temples. Most of the doors were closed except one, but people were talking and I didn't want to interrupt. But the grounds are beautiful, and I would come back to meditate in the future. They do not allow pictures in the temples, but the grounds were ok. I did take one inside the first temple in front, and then I dropped a cash offering because there's a camera watching. There were also these large ceramic pots on top of a roof of one of the buildings. I asked a man that was coming out and he said they were jars of hot sauce fermenting in the sun. WOW! Part of me wanted to try some that moment. Mahalo! (I guess Yelp is not in Korea yet, as it didn't recognize the writing for "thank you") read more
This is a beautiful temple to visit. I used to meditate here every week when I lived in Hawaii but came here today and no one was in the meditation hall (wonder if they moved to another part of the temple). Beautiful place to walk around and relax. Parking is a bit limited. It is an average size for a Buddhist temple. There is no guide/map, you guide yourself. Suggested donation is $3. read more
Gorgeous, colorful and detailed artwork painted on the buildings. You only know it's there if you live around the area or you look up temples on the internet. It's out of the way and up a dirt road. Kind of out of no where, but it brings the sense of isolation in a not lonely way. Beautiful statues of many different Goddesses and deities (I'm not sure who they are). Cute little lily ponds with fish and turtles in the front. There's an area where there's lots of tiny Buddah statues that has names on it I believe. Kind of a small place. Will go there again. read more
Robert Frost wrote The Road Not Taken in the early 1900's. "Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,.. I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference." I say travel to Palolo Valley and you'll find yourself a hidden jewel, you'll find that difference. You'll also find a big wow coming out of your mouth. You may even scratch your head like a perturb child wondering how in the world is this place here! In Palolo Valley of all places?! Wow! I came across this little treasure like most treasures are found when I wasn't looking for it. I'm training for the Honolulu marathon and was bored of my route and wanted more uphill runs. I went up 10th Ave. and reach a fork on the road. I've gone to the left and found Palolo Chinese Homecare just a few months back. This time I went right on Waiomao Road and kept going until I looked up and found this amazing temple popping out of the dense valley surround by houses and narrow streets. Mu-Ryang-Sa formerly known as Dae Won Sa Temple and erected in 1980. After 10+ years of legal battles and appeals with the City for building their temple over the legal limitation, the roof was lowered to the proper height 2001. The temple was renamed to Mu-Ryang-Sa, which translate to Broken Ridge Buddhist Temple to reflect what went down. The temple was finally completed in 2005. As I exited my vehicle, my mouth dropped. I was so excited to run around this enormous playground as a teenager would during Black Friday at the mall. As I walked in I'm still stunned of the architecture and this temple being here. Be sure to check out two of my favorite parts of temple. On the far right hand corner are hundreds of miniature monk statues and on the far lower left corner are these 4 feet tall ceramic container filled with kimchee. This is a must see site if you're into temples, old churches and historic buildings as much as I am. Cheers! read more
We were the only ones visiting this temple. We were blown away by all of the vibrant colors and the details on the buildings. There is parking on the premises but it's on a hill and steep. If you have time, I highly recommend stopping by here. It felt very serene. read more
7 years ago
Find your inner peace and meditate at the beautiful hidden gem in Palolo Valley. Parking is really limited which is out on the streets so you may have to walk a bit up hill. The temple asks for a $3 donation for admission which isn't bad at all! It's mostly self guided if you ask me but it isn't complicated to find your way around. Overall I found this to be such a wonderful experience. The architecture & paintings definitely blew me away! read more
Only come here if you have a car. As it is in the middle of nowhere and uber will cost you a lot of money to come pick you up. Also, most of the picture here show very scenic temple but in reality, it's pretty run down. It's not as vibrant as you would expect and it is very small. There's nothing inside any of the temple; just walk around on the outside only. Rarely anyone goes here. If you want to go to a real temple, then travel to the northeast of the island. read more
5 years ago
Wow, just wow. Hidden gem. Beautiful and peaceful. Spent a good amount of time here praying, and cleansing. Felt cleansed and good spiritually afterwards. I'm buddhist, and I feel like Korean temples are becoming more and more scarce these days. You should never have to pay your way to enter a temple. Make donations yes, but a admissions fee? no. I didnt care too much for Byodo-in temple that everyone visits while in Hawaii. Felt over-rated. Visit both and you'll see what I mean. The architecture is beautiful and elegant here at mu ryang sa. Well built and the adjhussi takes care of temple, and maintains it. Highly recommend visiting, just please remember to be respectful read more
18 years ago
Along with Byodo-In Temple (in Kaneohe), this is my favorite place to take visitors when they come stay with me. It is absolutely stunning. The temple is located somewhat far within the Palolo Valley area and can be difficult to find. I would recommend making sure you are familiar with the location before heading out or having a GPS system, because the back roads in the area are long and winding with many small side streets. Once you get on the right road, you can almost take it straight to the top of the mountain. You will see the tops of the temple when you are close. The colors are so vibrant you can't miss it! When you get there, the drive way is pretty steep, but if you turn left there is ample parking on the side. I would park outside as a visitor (though there is covered parking). I have never seen a sign, but assumed indoor parking was for the monks that lived there, and those who worked at the temple. Directly in front of the outdoor parking you can see huge pots of kimchi on the roof of the building, and it's just a beautiful view of the Valley, all the way out to the ocean. Still, if you want the best view, find the small stone Buddha figurines (far back on the grounds, past the pond, over the bridge and up the side stairs). The landscape and flowers are amazing. I spent hours at the temple just taking pictures outdoors. You can explore in the buildings, but be mindful and respectful to those who are there to worship and the monks who live there. The whole area is so peaceful, it's wonderfully relaxing. I have been there several times and had been taking lots of pictures, but on one visit, a woman asked me not to photograph the insides of the temple. She said it was against their belief, so be aware you should only take photographs outside. If you get the chance, check the fountain for small tadpoles or tiny black frogs that live throughout the grounds. I would also make sure you don't miss the small building at the entrance. It's easy to miss if you park, so walk back to the drive way after parking and enter the first building from the front. Some research I did said you are supposed to pray or acknowledge the statues that represent negative things you would want to leave at the door and not bring in the temple. They also have some donate boxes throughout and, considering it is free to park and visit, I would strongly suggest you donate. I once encountered monks gathering mangos from the trees and others worship there and everyone is very open and friendly, as long as you are willing to learn and be respectful. With every building hand painted inside and out, and all the intricate details that went into designing every room of every building, it is by far one of the most beautiful places on the island. read more
What an interesting and amazing find in the back of Palolo valley! The calm, quietness, and tranquility of the valley made it ideal to have this Korean Buddhist temple here. Never knew this existed when I stumbled upon it a couple of times during my running up here in the valley. I usually don't run this far back in Palolo valley but once I discovered this temple, I was a little amazed that this was actually here. The temple was actually finished back in 2005, when they relocated the temple from South King Street due to a fire. The relocation to Palolo Valley location started in 1986, but didn't finish construction till 2005 due to legal challenges relating to structural height. The Mu Ryang Sa Buddhist temple is a colorful structure that pays homage to Buddhism and it's many various incarnations. I was there on a nice quiet Sunday morning before 8am. There were people driving up the road to get to Ka'au Crater, but I was busy checking this hidden gem out. You could feel the quiet tranquility here, although it was interesting to be in a temple again. I haven't been in one in years and it was nostalgic to be here again. There is a suggested donation of $3 to support the temple. Too bad they don't accept credit cards, although maybe they do online. Gotta check on that. The overall experience here was pretty amazing. Just being here alone with your thoughts and meditating is very much soul releasing. Nurturing the spirit and makes me happy inside and out as a person. The Mu Ryang Sa Korean Buddhist temple is definitely hidden within the tranquility of the Palolo Valley. It's located at the foot of the Ka'au Crater trails, about 1/2 mile at 2420 Halelaau Place. The entrance itself is up the steep incline of Halelaau Place and the Bronze statue of the Buddha greets you. There are 3 main buildings in the temple complex, but the main office is the same place where you can park. As aforementioned before, suggested donation is $3, so it's nice to donate to a worthwhile cause, if you can. Parking can be limited within the temple ground itself, so best bet would be to find street parking in the neighboring streets. Shouldn't be a problem, depending on the time of day you do go. The spiritual essence of this temple is strong and I could feel it. I've been to the Maliki Buddhist temple that's similar to this one and it was empowering and very much spiritual in nature. Much like Catholic Churches, Buddhist temples are revered within their orders and sects within their communities which they serve and around the greater good of humanity. Spending at least an hour here makes it worthwhile. Much like hiking, taking the time to read actual books and not be on your mobile device 24/7 like most of the world is these days, including me. The meditation and soul releasing is great to rejuvenate your life and all parts of what needs to be synced up with your life to be balanced again. The notion of being centered and one with the universe can be found here, although enlightenment and being self aware takes decades to achieve. For me, I take mediation and self awareness in my own personal practice to be mindful of what I do everyday, to stay one with nature, and just have good in your heart for everyone. Come here and turn off your cell phone. Give yourself about an hour to give yourself time meditate in this space. Learn how your body and mind can reconnect in this space. With the hectic world that we live in these days, it's nice to take some time and reflect to discover what we can to just simulate Our minds and souls. Definitely one to check out if you are into the spiritual side of things. Well worth the trip and there are people there who can help you find the path to inner peace and tranquility. It costs just $3 and it just may change your life! Or at least your outlook on life. 5 stars. Must do this more often. Or latest once a month for proper maintenance. Support local! A++ read more
15 years ago
On the road less traveled there are always places to discover here in Hawaii. Places many tourists and vacationers continue to blindly walk by. This again is one of those places few visitors ever see. If you follow me you know it's the Mana (spirit of the islands) that I have always seek out, where money has little or no value when it comes to ones soul. This is one of Oahu's hidden gems where if you are looking for a spiritually awakening while in Hawaii this place me just awaken something in you. The MU-RYANG-SA KOREAN BUDDHIST TEMPLE is an ACTIVE temple with caregivers and dedicated people from the community that come here and meditate at all times of the day. There are many places to Meditate on the grounds of the temple and MANY, MANY points of interest. If you don't fully venture throughout the entire temple grounds you will miss something. When it comes to respecting the grounds and the people who meditate here: I only filmed inside one of the temples because no meditation was being performed in group. NEVER film or photograph INSIDE a Temple performing Group Meditation. PLEASE always remember if you choose to meditate inside one of the temples you are WELCOME to do so, either in a room alone you may meditate or with group in meditation. PLEASE always remove your shoes before you enter one of the temples. Last, please bring some dollar bills and donate to the monks and Priests. There are Donation Boxes throughout the Temple grounds. I have known about this Buddhist temple for many years at the back of Palolo Valley. Being only 15 mins from my home in Hawaii Kai you would think I went here every day or at least once a week. Following the Buddhist way of life myself I so badly wanted to go and meditate here, yet for some reason I chose to stay away. I waited for some reason that would bring me there. Today was that day...I needed this day at the temple more then most could ever understand for personal reasons and it was well worth the wait to finally come here. Does Buddhism interest you? Buddhism for me has never been about religion...Only about a way one lives their life. My self expression of Buddhism is my interpretation, no one else's. I have never been concerned about what others choose to see my interpretation of Buddhism as. Buddhism to me is what Buddhism is to me. No one can tell me if there is a higher consciousness or not, If there is a God or not, nor can one tell me how to get to God. No one can give me a step plan or tell me that's not how it's done or that's not the way it is. My path consists of a higher self consciousness, a God like path to self awareness. For everyone Buddhism is what it is and what it is...is exactly what it should be...for you. I am well aware of the stricter paths Buddhism takes with no personal God, there is nothing wrong with that if it's your chosen path. I choose my own path through Buddhism. To live in the moment, the now, to live as one with God in bliss, in Zen, to the point where I walk in meditation where actual meditation is no longer necessary. I know what nirvana is, I walked it once. Finding it again has been an on going challenge in today's society for me, for others. Spending 5 hours at the Temple, filming and photographing these tranquil grounds allowed me to reach for a new plain of spirituality and rejuvenation. At the heart of Buddhism for me it's always been about NON-JUDGMENT. I entered this spiritual field and was able to see things more clearly again. Once you remove judgment, you remove pressure, you remove stress from ones life which is feed by ones ego, ones perceptions. Buddhism allows you to live in the moment that God has only truly given you, the present moment. In that moment if you find God, you find yourself. If you find yourself you find which has been lost. I did today. read more
7 years ago
Hidden gem at the top of the mountains. 3$ donation fee. You can come here to pray, meditate, or simply soak in all the energy this place releases. I highly recommend a trip here. Will be back read more
7 years ago
Yes, I found this gem thought yelp too!!! My partners in crime (my best friend and her cousin) went with me with our rental jeep, we went there and there was no one in the temple except us. We went in and looked around, took some pictures and enjoyed our walk around the temple. The temple located in a residence area and we were glad we found this beautiful temple. read more
Surly Temple Mu-Ryang-Sa -"Broken Ridge "Temple We visited this temple on our way back from another temple up the road. The bright colors as you pass it are eye catching. It's hard to miss it. Finding the parking area was awkward. Steep incline. The place felt spiritual, paranoid, and slightly dumpy at the same time . . . They had cameras posted throughout the temple. Maybe they've had a problem with unruly visitors in the past, but it felt big-brotherish. The Great Hero Hall (Main Hall) is open daily for meditation and was quite beautiful. It wasn't the serene environment I was looking for, as there were children talking and carrying on. I've been to many temples, and this one was the least inviting so far. read more
6 years ago
12 years ago
Truly a hidden gem in the crosshairs of Palolo Valley. I'm an explorer and of course every weekend I'm looking through the nooks and crannies of our beautiful Hawaii, until I find something to adventure through. This weekend happened to be the temple and man, it was absolutely gorgeous! The architecture is nothing shy of the tempes in Korea. The temple also houses halls where you can go in and meditate or pray to buddha. You can choose to make a small donation but it's not mandatory. Also, free to visit and take pictures, just don't snap any photos in the halls. It's extremely quiet and peaceful; the perfect place to escape the crazy and reflect over the week! If you're open minded and down for something new, go! read more
Love this place. It has some breath-taking scenery and some very fascinating decorations. We were the only visitors there (we visited on a Tuesday around noon time). Definitely a good recommendation for anyone who's interested in visiting a peaceful temple in Oahu. read more
11 years ago
This place is amazing and hidden gem! It's in Paololo valley and you can get here by taking 10th Ave all the way in. When you get here there is suggested $3 donation for adults and they have donation boxes around the premises. The colors are so vibrant here and I've never seen a temple quite like this. There's also a Kuan Yin Goddess of Mercy and Compassion here on the premises. It's so peaceful here too and I love the smell of incense! If you're lucky you will even hear the Buddhist monks chant. This is such a beautiful place to escape to and I will definitely be back! read more
8 years ago
12 years ago
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What time do they open?
9-5p daily. Parking lot inside or you can park on street too.
Review Highlights - Mu-Ryang-Sa Buddhist Temple
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9 years ago
