February 22, 2008

One of the 88 Buddhist shrines that dot the hills of Lawa'i.

What began as a humble celebration became an annual pilgrimage.

“The first public opening of the site was going to be an open house," said Lynn Muramoto of the Lawa‘i International Center

“But when 9-11 happened,” she said, “we changed it to a pilgrimage for compassion.”

Tucked behind a bevy of houses just off the highway in Lawa‘i, is a strip of property, home to 88 child-sized Shingon Buddhist shrines. These stone structures house palm-sized statues of various Buddhas and line a winding trail that traverses the steep hillside.

This outdoor temple was designed over 100 years ago by Japanese immigrants who sought to replicate an ancient 900 mile pilgrimage in Shikoku, Japan. It’s rumored that a handful of dirt from each of the 88 Shikoku shrines lay in the foundation of each miniature structure.

On Sunday, the center will hold its eighth pilgrimage for compassion. “Every year since Sept. 11 we hold this pilgrimage for compassion,” said Muramoto.

And each year world-renowned shakuhachi (Japanese flute) Grand Master Riley Lee accompanies walkers on their journey.

Grand Master Lee’s presence is a fortuitous one.

“We knew we wanted a shakuhachi player at our first opening,” said Muramoto. “One of our board members heard a shakuhachi flute playing on the property,” she said. The two women looked around for the source to no avail — yet the notes of a flute came floating on the Lawa‘i breeze.

Later Muramoto received an e-mail saying there was a shakuhachi player planning a trip to Kaua‘i the week of the pilgrimage.

Muramoto called him immediately to ask, “Will you play your flute to call the people to come walk in peace?” Since then, Lee’s melodies have accompanied walkers on their pilgrimage to the shrines.

Lee has performed at the Sydney Opera House, Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., and throughout Europe and Asia.

“And now he has played on the hillside of Lawa‘i,” Muramoto added laughing.

Over 50 of Lee’s recordings have been released on international labels.

The center is a non-profit community project that is run entirely by volunteers. Care and restoration of the property began in 1991. The next phase of restoration will include building a Pavilion of Compassion.

The mission statement says that the center “will be the gathering place for all people to hear what is not said, to see what cannot be seen, to feel what cannot be touched, to know peace and to receive the true spirit of aloha ... the Lawa‘i International Center will be a place of rest and recuperation for all mankind and a place of healing.”

Outside of Japan, the Lawa‘i International Center is the only one of its kind. The shrines that rise along the path traversing the hillside are Buddhist in nature but the center is non-denominational.

Muramoto said, “This is a place to uplift people — it’s a place where people can come together as one.”

Joining Grand Master Lee on Sunday will be more than 20 of Kaua‘i’s finest bakers selling their goods to raise funds for the center. There will be hula by Ke Kula Ni‘hau O Kekaha and drumming by Taiko Kaua‘i.

Grand Master Riley Lee's music will accompany pilgrims as they ascend the winding path of the 88 shrines of at the Lawai International Center Sunday.

Join Boy Scouts Troop number 83 as they lead the walk of compassion among the shrines, Troop did the initial clearing of the land when renovations began.

Wear comfortable shoes for the walk and bring an umbrella. Due to limited parking please carpool if possible. For more information call 639-4300 or e-mail lm@hawaii.rr.com.

Take a walk

What: A pilgrimage of compassion

When: 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday

Where: Lawa‘i International Center