Peace Pagodas & Stupas Around the World

Click here for Wikipedia article about peace pagodas.

See special section below about peace pagodas of the Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Order

Right click image to enlarge.

15th Century - Bao'ensi / Temple of Gratitude, Buddhist Pagoda known as The Porcelain Tower, South Bank of Yangtze River, Nanjing Territory (China). No longer exists, but is being reconstructed. Was 260 feet high, octagonal (with eight corners) & 97 feet in diameter. Was largest building in China. Radiated sunrays & functioned as a center of pilgrimage. Destroyed about 1860 during the Taiping Rebellion.

1908 - "The Pagoda," Summit Drive, Mt. Penn, Reading, Pennsylvania (USA). Built by William Abbott Witman [1860-1936] as a hotel. Contains huge Japanese temple bell (qv).

May 5, 1907 - Choshoji Temple Bell, "The Pagoda," Summit Drive, Mt. Penn, Reading, Pennsylvania (USA). "Cast in Obata in 1739 by a man named Mikawaya and presented by him and 47 friends to the Buddhist Temple, Shozenji, at Yakuosan, now part of downtown Tokyo near Hibiya Park." Click here for more information.

About 1913 - "Japanese Pagoda," Sunset Park, Ohio River, Evansville, Indiana (USA). Built for picnics and concerts "when America was fascinated by all things Eastern." Design came from a model displayed at the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893. Survived the flood of 1937 but eventually fell into neglect and became a museum storage shed. In 1995, at a cost of more than $1.5 million, the building was restored, retaining its original Japanese design. Now serves as city visitors center. Visited by EWL.

1954 - Kabar Aye Pagoda (World Peace Pagoda), Yangôn/Rangoon (Myanmar/Burma). Located about 20 minutes drive to the north of downtown. Built by U Nu [1907-1995], one of the earlier prime ministers of Myanmar not long after her independence from the British, in dedication to the Sixth Buddhist Council (1954-56). This 111-feet-high pagoda measures 34 meters around the base.

1968 - Peace Pagoda, Nihonmachi/Japantown, San Francisco, California (USA). Designed by Japanese architect Yoshiro Taniguchi [1900-1955] and presented to San Francisco by the people of Osaka (Japan).

1969 - Peace Pagoda, Mount Kijosumi (Japan).

Date? - Hakone Peace Park?, Hakone, Kanagawa Prefecture (Japan).

1980 - Elightenment Stupa, "Northwest Tibetan Temple of America, Odiyan Buddhist Retreat Center, Cazadero (California). Odiyan is "a Tibetan Buddhist monastery built by and for American Buddhists from the Nyingma Center, dedicated to saving Tibetan Buddhism.. The structures of Odiyan are being built as the first large-scale 3-dimensional mandala... The Odiyan Stupa radiates positive energy that fosters harmony in nature, peace on earth, and happiness for all beings."

1986 - “Light Of Truth Universal Shrine” (LOTUS), Satch Ashram, Integral Yoga Institute, Yogaville,Virginia (USA). Founded by Indian Swami Satchidananda [1914-2002]. "A monument to the Swamidananda’s interfaith vision of world harmony... Dedicated to the Light of all faiths and to world peace."

1987 - Jangchub Stupa, Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center, 3655 South Snoddy Road, Bloomington, Indiana (USA). Entry #295 in the "Peace Movement Directory" by James Richard Bennett (2001).

Date? - Stupa of Enlightenment, Gampo Abbey, Nova Scotia (Canada). Houses some relics of Chögyam Trungpa.

1988 - Brisbane Nepal Peace Pagoda, South Bank Parklands, Brisbane, Queensland (Australia). Created by the Kingdom of Nepal for Brisbane's World Expo '88. Relocated for the opening of the Parklands in 1992. Includes a peace bell & a peace post in the pagoda garden.

Date? - Killing Fields Memorial, Choeung Ek, near Phnom Penh (Cambodia). About 17,000 people were killed at Choeung Ek (af former orchard) during the Cambodian genocide (1975-1979). The memorial pagoda contains more thatn 8,000 skulls. "Apart from the stupa, the visitor can see the pits from which the bodies of the 8,000 victims were exhumed. Human bones still litter the site (right image). There is also a souvenir shop which strikes some visitors as being in poor taste."

Early 1990's - Nyingma Tibetan Buddhist Temple & Stupa Peace Park, Kunzang Palyul Choling (KPC) of Maryland, 18400 River Road, Poolesville, Maryland (USA). 65-acre peace park. Entry #401 in the "Peace Movement Directory" by James Richard Bennett (2001). See similar stupa & peace park in Sedona, Arizona (USA).

Before 1999 - Amitabha Stupa and Peace Park, Kunzang Palyul Choling (KPC) of Sedona, 2650 Pueblo Drive, Sedona, Arizona (USA). See similar stupa & peace park in Poolesville, Maryland (USA). See duplicate entry for 2004.

1994 - Enlightenment Stupa of Benalmádena, Karma Guen, Benalmádena (Spain). Built by Buddhist master Lopon Tsechu Rinpoche. Largest stupa in the western word at time of its construction.

June 26, 1998 - Dhamma-Talaka Peace Pagoda, Buddhist Centre, Edgbaston, Ladywood district, Birmingham (England). "The pagoda is provided so that western people are able to learn about Buddhism. The main financial support however comes from generous donations by the Myanmar community around the country." The Venerable Dr. Rewata Dhamma is a senior Burmese Buddhist Monk who is the prime mover behind the building of the pagoda.

Date? - Peace Pagoda, Kuchary (Poland).

Date? - Peace Stupa, St. Norbert Arts Centre, St. Norbert, Winnipeg, Manitoba (Canada).

December 7, 2000 - South African Peace Pagoda, The Manger, Barrydale, Western Cape Province (South Africa). Only peace pagoda in Africa. Consecrated by Sayadaw U Thila Wunta, eminent 90-year-old Burmese monk. "A gift he had long wanted to bestow on Africa, thus completing his dream and mission to promote peace and harmony in every continent of the world.... The building of this seven-meter tall gold structure, crowned with a spherical crystal and copper umbrella, was achieved in three weeks by Sayadaw, three Burmese Monks, 20 Canadians, and several local people."

2000 - Great Stupa for World Peace, __________ (Tibet). Ningmapa tradition. Really big - 70 meters along the sides, 50 meters high.

Date? - Peace Memorial Pagoda, Tokushima, Tokushima Prefecture (Japan).

2004 - Amitabha Stupa & Peace Park, Sedona, Arizona (USA). "About halfway between Phoenix & the Grand Canyon, is a must-visit place for spiritual seekers the world over. Since 2004, such visitors have been flocking to Sedona’s Amitabha Stupa. (Some call it Sedona’s newest vortex.) Sitting majestically among the pinion & juniper pines, and surrounded by a landscape of stunning crimson spires, it is a jewel to behold. On any given day, dozens of visitors trek up the short winding trails to the 36 foot Amitabha Stupa & the smaller Tara Stupa for prayer, meditation, healing & the experience of peace in a sacred place." /// "Regrettably the future of the Peace Park as a Sedona destination is uncertain. A loan totaling $698,000 must be paid off by June 15, 2012, in order to secure the sacred land the Stupa & Peace Park rests upon." /// See duplicate entry for Before 1999."

January 17, 2010 - Global Vipassana Peace Pagoda, Gorai Creek, Mumbai (India). "Built to promote peace and harmony in the world... In construction for 11 years, is expected to stand as a beacon of Purity which will stand tall for the next 1000 years. Will strengthen India’s image. Towering 325 feet with a 280-feet diameter, one of the largest stone monuments in Asia. Contains the world’s largest stone dome built without any supporting pillars and seats 8000 meditators. More than three times the size of the previously largest masonry structure – the Gol Gumbaz [1659] in Bijapur... Vipassana, an ancient meditation technique of India, was rediscovered by Buddha 2500 years ago but lost its true form since last 2000 years. It was brought back to India and the world by Pujya Shri Goenkaji. This new inning of Vipassana is completing its 40 years this year."

October 8, 2011 - Victory Stupa, Earth Sanctuary, 5536 Emil Road, Langley, Whidbey Island, Washington (USA). "A blessing ceremony for a new Buddhist stupa monument and Tibetan prayer wheels is planned today in Langley. A stupa is the most important Buddhist monument designed to bring peace & harmony to a community. The blessing will be led by His Holiness Jigdal Dagchen Sakya, the Head Lama of Sakya Monastery of Tibetan Buddhism in Seattle. Earth Sanctuary features megalithic monuments & sacred spaces designed for meditation & prayer. It's open to visitors during daylight hours year around. Admission is $7."

Future - La Gran Estupa para la Paz Mundial / Great Stupa for World Peace, Los Alamos, Valle de Bravo (Mexico).

Pagodas of the Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Order:

Click here for website about Nipponzan Myohoji pagodas "around the web."
Click here for information about The Most Venerable Nichidatsu Fujii [1885-1985], founder of Nipponzan Myohoji and whom Gandhi called "Fujii Guruji."

Right click image to enlarge.

1924 - Tagonoura Monestery (Peace Pagoda?), near Mount Fuji (Japan). Created by Nichidatsu Fujii [1885-1985]. Apparently no longer exists.

1954 - Peace Pagoda, Hanaokayama (Japan). Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Order.

1959 - Peace Pagoda, Fukui (Japan). Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Order.

1959 - Peace Pagoda, Kushiro (Japan). Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Order.

1959 - Peace Pagoda, Sapporo (Japan). Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Order.

1960 - Peace Pagoda, Himeji (Japan). Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Order.

1961 - Peace Pagoda, Atami (Japan). Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Order.

1961 - Peace Pagoda, Hidasakagami (Japan). Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Order.

1962 - Peace Pagoda, Wakamatsu (Japan). Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Order.

1963 - Peace Pagoda, Osaka (Japan). Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Order.

1964 - Peace Pagoda, Gotemba, Shizuoka (Japan). Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Order.

1964 - Peace Pagoda, Fushiki (Japan). Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Order.

1964 - Peace Pagoda, Aomori (Japan). Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Order.

1964 - Peace Pagoda, Utsunomiya (Japan). Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Order.

1966 - Peace Pagoda, Hiroshima (Japan). Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Order. Commemorates lives lost in the A-bomb blast, and contains gifts of Buddha's ashes from the then Prime Minister of India and from Mongolian Buddhists. Visited by RH.

1967 - Peace Pagoda, Nitsu (Japan). Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Order.

1967 - Peace Pagoda, Komoro (Japan). Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Order.

1967 - Peace Pagoda, Sensuikyo (Japan). Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Order.

1967 - Peace Pagoda, Akita (Japan). Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Order.

1969 - Peace Pagoda, Kiyosumi (Japan). Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Order.

1969 - Peace Pagoda, Wakasa (Japan). Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Order.

1969 - Peace Pagoda, Omuta (Japan). Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Order.

1969 - Vishwa Shanti Stupa / World Peace Pagoda, Rajgir, Bihar (India). Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Order. "Pandit Jawaharlala Nehru [1889-1964] laid the foundation stone of first Shanti Stupa in Bihar state at Rajgiri [sic]." Built in marble on a 400 meter hill reached by an aerial ropeway. The four shining statues of Buddha are on the four sides of the stupa. Rajgir also has a so-called "Japanese temple.

1970 - Peace Pagoda, Nakasaki (Japan). Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Order. Visited by RH.

1970 - Peace Pagoda, Hyuga (Japan). Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Order.

1970 - Peace Pagoda, Tatsunokuchi (Japan). Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Order.

1972 - Peace Pagoda, Hondo (Japan). Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Order.

1972 - Peace Pagoda, Yamaga (Japan). Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Order.

1972 - Peace Pagoda, Buzen (Japan). Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Order.

1972 - Peace Pagoda, Miyazaki (Japan). Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Order.

1972 - Peace Pagoda, Koufu (Japan). Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Order.

1972 - Peace Pagoda, Kominato (Japan). Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Order.

November 8, 1972 - Dhauligiri Shanti Stupa / Monument of Peace, near Bhubaneswar, Orissa (India). Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Order. "Sri Nitya Nanda Kanungo, Governor of Bihar, decided to establish second Shanti Stupa at Dhauligiri in Orissa State. He formed Kalinga Nippon Buddha Sangh and became the chairman. Fujii Gurujii along with his young disciples helped in building the Stupa. Nipponzan Myohoji happily beard [sic] the entire cost considering it as a offering to Lord Buddha."

1974 - Peace Pagoda, Usuki (Japan). Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Order.

1974 - Peace Pagoda, Sendai (Japan). Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Order.

1974 - Peace Pagoda, Sadoichinosawa (Japan). Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Order.

1974 - Peace Pagoda, Okutama (Japan). Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Order.

1974 - Peace Pagoda, Kanazawa (Japan). Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Order.

1976 - Peace Pagoda, Yui (Japan). Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Order.

1976 - Peace Pagoda, Yoshino (Japan). Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Order.

1977 - Peace Pagoda, Takamon (Japan). Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Order.

1978 - Peace Pagoda, Chitose (Japan). Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Order.

1978 - Peace Pagoda, Sri Pada (Sri Lanka). Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Order. Sri Pada means "Lord Buddha's sacred footprint" and is the name of "Buddhism's most sacred mountain" (right image).

1979 - Peace Pagoda, Takarazuka (Japan). Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Order.

1979 - Peace Pagoda, Gifu (Japan). Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Order.

1979 - Peace Pagoda, Takeda (Japan). Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Order.

1980 - Milton Keynes Peace Pagoda, Willen Lake, Milton Keynes (England). Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Order. "This is the first Peace Pagoda in the western world." There is a Nipponzan Myohoji monastery nearby.

1981 - Peace Pagoda, Tagonoura (Japan). Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Order.

1981 - Peace Pagoda, Sado Ryotsu (Japan). Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Order.

1982 - Peace Pagoda, Randarawela (Japan). Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Order.

1983 - Peace Pagoda, Walapane (Japan). Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Order.

1983 - Tama Peace Pagoda, Tokyo (Japan). Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Order.

1983 - Peace Pagoda, Maizuru (Japan). Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Order. On mountain.

1983 - Peace Pagoda, Danube River, Vienna (Austria). Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Order.

1985 - London Peace Pagoda, Battersea Park, London (England). Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Order.

1985 - New England Peace Pagoda (Na Mu Myo Ho Ren Ge Kyo), Nipponzan Myohoji Sangha, 100 Cave Hill Road, Leverett, Massachusetts (USA). Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Order. Entry #458 in the "Peace Movement Directory" by James Richard Bennett (2001).

1986 - Peace Pagoda, Nizen (Japan). Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Order.

1986 - Peace Pagoda, Hisayama (Japan). Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Order.

1987 - Peace Pagoda, Beppu, Kyshu Island (Japan). Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Order. Visited by RH.

1988 - Peace Pagoda, Ampara (Japan). Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Order. On a river.

1989 - Peace Pagoda, Omura (Japan). Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Order. Visited by RH.

1991 - Shanti Stupa, on hilltop in Cahngspa village, Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir (India). Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Order. Opened by the Dalai Lama. Has bird's eye view of Leh town & surrounding mountain peaks. Founded in 1985?

November 1, 1992 - Peace Pagoda, Charlimont, Darjeeling, West Bengal (India). The height of this Stupa is nearly 30 meters. Gives a nice view of Darjeeling and the Kanchenjunga mount of Higher Himalayan Range. "Designed to provide a focus for people of all races and creeds to help unite them in their search for world peace. Like most of the other Peace Pagodas, it was built under the guidance of Nichidatsu Fujii [1885–1985], a Buddhist monk from Japan and founder of the Nipponzan-Myohoji Buddhist Order.

1993 or 1995 - Vishwa Shanti Stupa, Wardha, Maharashtra (India). Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Order."In 1935, Fuji Guruji from Japan came to Wardha and met Mahatma Gandhi. He put the wish to setup the Stups (Prayer place for of Budha Community) in India. Gandhi agreed his desire and then after Stanti Stups were built at eight different places in India. One of that Vishwa Shanti Stup is found in Wardha. This Stupa is constructed with the help of Japan in 1995. On the Stup the architecture is available describing the history of Lord Goutam Budha."

1993 - Grafton Peace Pagoda, Petersburg, Rensselaer County, New York (USA). Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Order. "Built through the efforts of a nun, Jun Yasuda, who had been close to Native Americans, and her stupa was dedicated to their survival." Entry #652 in the "Peace Movement Directory" by James Richard Bennett (2001). Visited by RH.

1994 - Peace Pagoda, Mikawa (Japan). Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Order.

1996 (or 1999?) - World Peace Pagoda, high above Phewa Tal, Pokhara (Nepal). "A massive, brilliant white & impressive sight in itself, the shrine is at 1,113 meters, a vantage point which offers spectacular views of Pokhara city and the Annapurna Range (Fishtail, Annapurna & Dhaulagiri Himals). There are three paths up to the pagoda & several small cafes once you arrive." Right 3 images courtesy of Silvia Heerens & Penny Scibner who visited the temple at sunrise in October 2012. Note "WORLD PEACE PAGODA" on right side of gate.

October 23, 1996 - World Peace Pagoda, Vaishali, Vaishali District, Bihar (India). Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Order. "Vaishali is well-known for its close association with the Buddha. After the Enlightenment the Buddha frequently visited Vaishali. He organized his Bhikshu Sangha on the pattern of Vaishalian democracy."

1998 - Peace Pagoda, Comiso (Japan). Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Order.

April 1998 - Atlanta Dojo, Nipponzan Myohoji, 1127 Glenwood Avenue, Atlanta, Georgia (USA). Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Order.

May 24, 1998 - Peace Stupa, Comiso, Sicily (Italy). Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Order. Dedicated by the Reverend Morishita. Near the NATO base. Not in NM book.

1999 - Peace Pagoda, Midori (Japan). Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Order. Visited by RH.

May 13, 2001 - Peace Pagoda, Narita-shi, Chiba-ken (Japan). Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Order. Established in 1984? " 58 meters high and situated on a small hill."

November 2001 - World Peace Pagoda, Lumbini, Kapilavastu District (Nepal). Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Order. Lumbini is a Buddhist pilgrimage site near the Indian border. It is the place where Queen Mayadevi is said to have given birth to Siddhartha Gautama, who in turn, as the Buddha Gautama, gave birth to the Buddhist tradition.

2002 - Peace Pagoda, atop Mount Momomnataki (Japan). Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Order. Near sacred waterfall where Nichidatsu Fujii spent seven days praying and fasting and received his inspiration for the chant " Na Mu Myo Ho Ren Ge Kyo. Also spelled Momoonotaki?

Date - Peace Pagoda, Aso, Kyushu Island (Japan). Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Order. Birthplace of Fujii Guruji. Visited by Ralph Hutchison, but not in the Nipponzan Myohoji book.

Date? - Peace Pagoda, Kobe (Japan). Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Order. Visited by Ralph Hutchison, but not in the Nipponzan Myohoji book.

2007 - Vishwa Shanti Stupa / Peace Pagoda, Indraprasht Park, New Delhi (India). "Unveiled by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The landmark also houses some of Budha’s relics in it. The Stupa stands against the backdrop of some magnificent historical buildings like the Old Fort and Humayun’s tomb. The “Vishwa Shanti Stupa” is 28 meters high. Its construction was inspired by the world famous Shanti Stupa at Sanchi in Madhya Pradesh (qv)....74th in the series of stupas or pagodas around the world."

S T U P A

Future? - World Peace Monument, Gfoehl (Austria). "VIENNA (AFP): A small Austrian town will carry out a public survey on a planned Buddhist stupa billed as Europe's biggest 'world peace monument' after some locals expressed unease, the mayor said on Wednesday [Dec. 14, 2011]. // The town council in Gfoehl in northern Austria decided on late Tuesday to carry out a public consultation in February on whether they are in favour of the stupa, set to be 37m high and 25m in diametre. // 'We plan to listen to what people have to say and then the council will decide,' Mayor Karl Simlinger told AFP, saying 21 members of the 23-member body supported the project. // 'There have been a few letters in favour and against, but on the whole people are in favour... This is something that would be good for tourism and the economy in Gfoehl.' Next to the monument in the eastern outskirts of the town will be a 600 sq m building with accommodation for monks and nuns as well as meditation rooms, according to planners." /// Image published with story but appears to be illustrative only.

Future - Great Smoky Mountains Peace Pagoda, Newport, Tennessee (USA). Under construction by Atlanta Dojo, Nipponzan Myohoji. Right image shows the existing Teramori House & larger Forest House. Click here for speech delivered at the Ceremony for the Enshrinement of Sacred Relics on October 8, 2011.

August 1, 2014 - Construction volunteer Ralph Hutchison, Coordinator of Oak Ridge Environmental Peace Alliance (OREPA), during concrete pouring for the Smoky Mountains Peace Pagoda while wearing a "Presente!" t-shirt he designed in 2000 for School of the Americas Watch protests at Fort Benning, Georgia.