Nipponzan Myohoji

Peace Pagoda

Click on the Gold Relic
Sacred relics of Lord Buddha are enshrined here.
In the beautiful setting at the edge of Willen lake sits Nipponzan Myohoji, the Buddhist Temple and the peace pagoda, a welcoming landmark of the new city of Milton Keynes. Milton Keynes' peace pagoda was the first to be built in the northern hemisphere in 1980. In the amazingly tranquil setting, north of Willen lake,is the oriental style building surrounded by a Japanese garden.

The tranquility of the area is also an attraction for a rich and varied bird population, which inhabit the island in the middle of the lake.The area attracts vistors from nearby towns as well as the city itself.The peace pagoda is open to the public throughout the year, as is the monastery with its ornate Japanese garden.

The ancient Japanese town of Yoshino, famous for the beauty of its cherry blossom, donated thousand cherry trees and cedars in memory of the victims of wars to be planted on the hill around the pagoda.

It is thought that the first Pagoda was built after the death of the Buddha, some 2,500 years ago as a reminder of Buddha's presence. However, Pagodas dedicated specifically to the quest of world peace have been constructed by the Nipponzan Myohoji Order since the end of the Second World War.

In Japan, Hiroshima and Nagaski, where Atomic bombs killed more than 150,000 people, Peace Pagodas were built as a symbol of peace. Since this time the need for world peace has encouraged many countries all over the world to follow this example.