Fujii was greatly inspired by his meeting with Mahatma Gandhi in 1931 and decided to devote his life to promoting non-violence. In 1947, he began constructing Peace Pagodas as shrines to World peace (1947 is also India's year of independence). The Peace Pagoda promotes world peace.
This impressive structure is about 28.5 meters tall and 23 meters in diameter. We were told that from 4 to 5 am in the morning, the monks here play "Theravada" - a drum music that sounds beautiful.
The Peace Pagoda stands as the symbol of spirituality and peace. There are four gorgeous statues of the Buddha glistening with gold polish and eight sandstone carvings depicting the different stages of Buddha's life adorn the walls. There is a Buddhist temple and monastery designed in traditional Japanese style located close to the pagoda. Just adjacent to this Pagoda is the monastery. The monks recite the mystic peace mantra ‘NA MU MYO REN GE KYO’ from the monastery.
Oh, I have such beautiful memories of the trip! Makes me want to go dancing with the Universe.
Here are photos of the Pagoda, the Buddha statues and the Japanese Temple. (Please click the photos to see the original size)
Newborn Buddha
Meditating Buddha
Teaching Buddha
Buddha Parinirvana
Beautiful view from the Pagoda
Next week I will share the sandstone sculptures at the Japanese Peace Pagoda in Darjeeling
Now let's step over to Unknown Mami's blog and see what the others are doing - let's travel this world together!
"Be the change you want to see in this world!" Mahatma Gandhi