Also known as Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Temple, the shrine was built in 1972 and is located 10 minutes away from the Darjeeling town centre, on the hill of Jalapahar. Showcasing classic Japanese style of architecture, this resplendent white building offers visitors a serene and quiet sanctum where they can meditate and seek inner peace.

 

As one enters the temple, there is a picture of Fujii Guruji, the founder of Nipponzan Myohoji - a Buddhist order for world peace. He is said to have witnessed the tragedy of Hiroshima - Nagasaki. The title of Guruji was given to him by Mahatma Gandhi. In the temple, you will also come across images of Lord Buddha, alluding to its Buddhist ties.

 

If you happen to visit during the time of prayers (4:30 am  6:30 am; 4:30 pm  6:30 pm), you will have the opportunity to feel firsthand the divine pulses reverberating with every beat of the huge drum that sits in the prayer room.

 

Nearby the temple is the Peace Pagoda, depicting four avatars of Lord Buddha (sitting, sleeping, standing and meditating), which are also the tallest free-standing structures in Darjeeling. Its foundation stone was laid in 1972 by Fujii Guruji and the Peace Pagoda is an embodiment of Lord Buddha, and his teachings of peace and non-violence.

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