Gallery of the Shrines

Gallery of the Larger Garden Shrines at Paleaku

Galaxy Garden

Our Galaxy Garden was built in 2007, and is the world’s first accurate walk-through model of the Milky Way. It is mapped in flowering plants and based on current astrophysical data. The Galaxy Garden was designed by Jon Lomberg, and funded by New Moon Foundation and Change Happens Foundation. Read more: https://keolamagazine.com/art/jon-lomberg/

The Labyrinth

The local community was invited on Mother’s Day, 1996, to create this classical 50 foot red and black lava rock labyrinth. It is named the Mother of Creativity. Long used for transformational practices, walking the labyrinth affects the energy meridians, including the neural pathways of the brain.

Kalachakra Stupa

This Kalachakra Stupa is a Spiritual Monument of Tibetan Buddhism. In 1988 a dream of Desiree Gaspar’s inspired her to ask His Eminence Tai Situpa Rimpoche for his support in building this Stupa. Under his direction and with the help of the Venerable Lama Sonam Tenzin the Stupa was constructed. In a ground- breaking ceremony in 1989, His Eminence Jamgon Kongtrul Rimpoche buried the Treasure Vase Offering at the site. Upon completion in 1991, Venerable Bokar Rimpoche dedicated the Stupa to the Very Venerable Kalu Rimpoche, who inspired the founding of Paleaku Peace Gardens. Kalachakra means Time-Wheel and a Stupa symbolizes enlightened mind. A Stupa is like a generator sending blessings of harmony and peace in all directions. The shape of the Stupa represents the Buddha, crowned and sitting in meditation posture on a lion throne. His crown is the top of the spire; his head is the square at the spire’s base; his body is the Dome shape; his legs are the steps of the lower terrace; and the base is his throne. The Stupa also symbolizes the five elements and their relationship to enlightened mind. The base of the Stupa signifies earth and equanimity; the dome, water and indestructibility; the spire, fire and compassion; above the spire, wind and all-accomplishing action; and at the very top, the jewel represents space and all-pervading awareness. The Stupa is a mandala, or sacred arrangement, containing all of these enlightened qualities. “The visual impact of the Stupa on the observer brings a direct experience of inherent wakefulness and dignity. Stupas continue to be built because of their ability to liberate one simply upon seeing their structure” Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche

Padmasambhava Shrine

GURU RINPOCHE -THE LOTUS BORN In the 8th century the historic figure Guru Padmasambhava, an emanation of Buddha Amitabha lived in India and traveled to Tibet where he established Sutra and Tantra Buddhism. He is especially renowned for transmitting the Dzogchen practice of Vajrayana Buddhism. He taught the path of liberation to all levels of understanding and he notably left many hidden “treasure teachings” to be shared centuries later. His enlightened activity was supported by his two principle companions Princess Mandarava and the Lady Yeshe Tsogyal. His Heart Mantra is: OM AH HUM VAJRA GURU PEMA SIDDHI HUM In 1990 this statue of Padmasambhava, Guru Rinpoche was sculpted by the Tibetan Master H.H. Thinley Norbu Rinpoche and his heart son Repkong Tsedrup Tarchin Rinpoche, a great Tibetan Teacher, Yogi and Friend. This form of Guru Padmasambhava is known as, Guru Nangsi Zilnon, The Master Who Prevails over the Phenomenal World through Splendor of Realization and was crafted to establish an association with stability and world peace. It is with great honor that we care for this artistic representation built by such visionaries and to have received their Wisdom Teachings at the gardens. The presence of this statue points one to the path of “Great Liberation”. Rising from a lotus flower, the mystery of life spontaneously gives birth to Padmasambava, the lotus born and exemplifies the basic law of creativity “form is emptiness, and emptiness is form”. As one gazes at this image you will notice that on his head he wears a five-petal lotus hat, which represents the five Buddha families. His expression is smiling and serious showing that loving kindness and discernment are intrinsic to the path. His eyes are wide open, as constant awareness is important on the journey. He cradles in his left arm a staff (Khatvanga) symbolizing the union of great bliss and emptiness needed for non-dual awareness to arise. In his hands he holds the ritual objects necessary to progress on the journey. His robes symbolize the perfection of all the Buddhist vehicles to enlightenment. As he sits upon a Lotus seat all of his adornments hold the Essence Teachings of Buddhism and are designed to benefit all beings. Dedicated by his students to the Living Memory of Lama Tarchin Rinpoche (1936 to 2013)

The Bodhi Tree

The Bodhi Tree, planted at Paleaku in 1988, came from an air layer of the decendant of the tree that is now growing in Bodhgaya, India. This small sappling was prepared and donated by Doctor Daniel Susott. The historic Buddha Shakymuni sat under the Bodhgaya Bodhi Tree until He attained Enlightenment.

Peace Poles

Peace Poles are handcrafted obelisks erected the world over as an international symbol of peace. Their purpose is to spread the message, MAY PEACE PREVAIL ON EARTH, in different languages. In 1998, a group of Japanese visitors arrived from a Japanese island named Oshima, meaning BIG ISLAND. They were accompanied by a Hawaiian Kuhuna (priest), who chanted prayers and set the pole they had brought. A vistor sent the second pole six months later.

Hindu Shrine

Swami Shankarananda, while living at the gardens in the 1994 was inspired to honor his Guru and Hindu dharma. He had brought the Lingam (the egg shaped stone that sits upon the round rock wall) from India. This stone had auspiciously appeared to at the Jalasamadhi of his teacher, Swami Vishnu Devananda. Jalasamadhi is a ceremony honoring “the merging of the abandoned body with the water.” Swami Vishnudevananda was a disciple of the great modern saint H.H. Swami Sivananda Saraswati of Rishikesh, India, and was the founder of the International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centers and Ashrams, with branches throughout the world. Swami Vishnudevananda was a tireless peace activist. The lingam represents the male creative energy of Shiva, one of the main Deities of Hinduism. Shiva is most often worshiped in the iconic form of a Lingam. The Lingam always rests in the Yoni, the female creative energy. Shiva is considered the Deity of Transformation. The stone carving depicting Shiva’s head was added in 2001 and is from Bali. Over the years visitors have placed small statues of Ganesh, the Hindu Deity who removes obstacles, upon the rock wall. On the left of the shrine you can see the rock formation of a serpent winding around the tree, an image also associated with Shiva. In the front is a small square rock arrangement used for fire pujas or ceremonial offerings. The Angel Trumpet plants that surround the tree are also associated with Shiva and are toxic if ingested. Traditionally water is poured onto the top of lingam stone. A vase of water and a ladle are provided. While pouring water onto the Lingam one can chant: Om Namah Sivaya (Salutations to Lord Shiva)..

Rosicrucian Shrine

This Rosicrucian Shrine, envisioned by Catherine Rathbun was dedicated on Palm Sunday,1994. She used geometry and symbols to trace the history of Christianity. The Cross of black marble holds at its center a red vase. Here a Crown of Thorns grows representing Jesus of Nazareth. This is positioned within the 6-pointed white Star, which exemplifies the Judaic foundations of Christianity. Each point of the star is pinned by a Cedar Nail representing the Ethical Tenants of Faith, Hope, Charity, Humility, Integrity, and Work. The whole is enshrined within a square using a rock wall to illustrate the principle of stability and to honor the sacred Hawaiian tradition of the Heiau. An octagonal ring of white coral surrounds the square. This represents the ancient Temple courtyards that served as gateways into the inner sanctum. Blessed are those who sow the seeds of peace each day, for they shall become the channels and reservoirs of the Great Work.

Medicine Wheel

The medicine wheel at Paleaku was inspired by Domine Cappadonna and constructed in 1997 by a group of women engaged in a year long process. It was created from Pele’s (Hawaiian Volcanic Goddess) cinder quarry of many colors and sea-sculpted coral sand. The Center axis pole representing the connection of Heaven and Earth is a sandlewood tree from the upland Forest. As a symbol of wholeness, it is found in worldwide cultures, and is especially utilized by almost all the Native people of North and South America. As an Earth mandala or circle, it is used to display and inspire the wisdom of our inner and outer teachers. The heaven above, the Earth below and the four compass points bring the winds of different qualities and elements into our lives. A Medicine Wheel is both a map of the mind and a path of life.

Fire Circle

Created in the mid 1990’s this One Heart Fire Circle was inspired by Roy Little Son who carried the medicine of the native American Hopi Indian Tribe.It was thru his understanding of their traditions that a ceremony was done to honor women and their role as Fire Starter. The medicine of the fire was carried from the Volcano to the center rock in the middle of the circle named the Ascension Stone.

Islamic Shrine

The Islamic Shrine was designed by Faisal Muqaddam. Traditional and mystical symbols of Islam are used to honor the teachings of Allah.

Green Tara

Inspired by the Princess Dagmola Sakya, a Tibetan Buddhist teacher, we located this Balinese representation of Tara in 2000 and by the generosity of Mariah Dodd the Tara statue arrived. The Green Tara is the patron saint of Tibet. She represents the entire range of virtuous and enlightened activity and is said to be the Mother of the Buddhas.

Our Lady of Guadalupe

This representation of Mary, the Mother of Jesus was installed in 2012. The artist and visionary Jane Hendrickson was instrumental in actualizing this installation. Doreen Virtue was inspired by Our Lady and provided the funds for this statue. This statue is filled with rare crystals and surrounded with hand-made ceramic roses. Each rose represents friends in need of special prayers and their placement was provided by benefactors of this installation. The Lady of Guadalupe is of particular importance to the Americas because she appeared to Juan Diego at Tepeyac, Mexico. There is reason to believe Mary came in her glorified body, and her actual physical hands rearranged the roses in Juan Diego’s tilma, which makes this apparition very special. An incredible list of miracles, cures and interventions are attributed to her. She gave us her message of love and compassion and her promise to protect all people. She is particularly prayed to for the loving protection of unborn children.

Ikaika Wahine Shrine

In old Hawai’i water was collected from the drips in certain caves and shared to sustain life. Paleaku has a honeycomb of sacred caves beneath its surface and its name given by the Kahunas means protective covering. This statue represents the ancient Spirit of Strength as she pours the life giving water of peace into the world. Her request is to: Remember the Strength of the Feminine. E’ho’o mana’o a na no Ikaika Wahine Ikaika.

Baha’i 9-Pointed Star

Baha’i 9-Pointed Star. There are many reasons the number nine has significance in the Bahá’í Tradition. In 19th century Persia the forerunner prophet, Báb, “The Gate” predicted the coming of the “Great One.” Nine years later, Bahá’u’lláh the Prophet, received the realization of His mission and began forming the Teachings and founding the Bahá’í Religion. This numerical symbol is also used in nine-sided Bahá’í temples reflecting a sense of fulfillment. Nine, as the highest single-digit number, symbolizes completeness. The nine points of the star represent specific tenets intrinsic to Bahá’í: Courtesy * Truthfulness * Justice * Generosity * Forgiveness * Unity * Knowledge * Love *Steadfastness

Hawai’ian Petroglyphs

Ancient societies all over the world have left carvings on rocks. Worldwide, the oldest known Petroglyphs are in European caves and are thought to be more than 10,000 ears old. Petroglyph sites in the Hawaiian Islands continue to provide clues to the Island’s ancient past. The Lave flow at this site is 3,300 years old and these Petroglyphs are about 800 years old. The Hawaiian Islands have hundreds of known lava tubes and many show evidence of use in ancient Hawaii (e.g., as burial sites, shelters, and places of refuge), though very few are known to have Petroglyphs. These rare Petroglyphs can be seen from this point by looking ¾ of the way down to the flat shelf on the far wall. You will see the triangle people that depict the lineage of the medicine people who may have lived here. Petroglyphs in the Hawaiian Islands are divided into three categories: descriptive, symbolic, and cryptic. Descriptive Petroglyphs may be recognizable subjects, such as canoes, paddles, sails, and fishhooks, as well as circles and dots. Symbolic Petroglyphs are less recognizable, often consisting of forms carved in an unnatural manner, yet obviously purposefully created, and thus meaningful to the carver. Cryptic Petroglyphs are mysterious images that are very different than descriptive and symbolic Petroglyphs. Cryptic Petroglyphs are by definition of uncertain meaning and many theories and interpretations have been offered over the years to explain these Petroglyphs, yet much uncertainty remains. Some have suggested that certain cryptic or symbolic Petroglyphs may be created in such a way as to have secret or double meanings, similar to the kaona (hidden meanings) often used in Hawaiian chants. The most common types of Petroglyphs are human figures (including well-distinguished male and female figures) as well as dots and circles. Also fairly commonly seen at Petroglyph sites are canoes with sails, and sometimes just the sails. Women were often represented by an open triangle, and men by a closed triangle. Some researchers think that Petroglyphs are the first efforts of ancient people to construct a written language.