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Japanese Peace Pagoda in Ampara (අම්පාර ජපාන සාම චෛත්‍යය)

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Ampara Peace Pagoda is a part of a larger peace movement built under the guidance of Nichidatsu Fujii (1885-1985), a Buddhist monk from Japan and founder of the Nipponzan-Myōhōji Buddhist Order. 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.

The first Peace Pagodas were built as a symbol of peace in the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki where the atomic bombs took the lives of over 150,000 people, almost all of whom were civilians, at the end of World War II.

Fujii traveled all over the world, usually on foot, to preach his message of peace. By the time of his death in 1985, peace pagodas had been established in the U.S., England, Australia, and India.

By 2000, 80 Peace Pagodas had been built around the world in Europe, Asia, and the United States. There are 4 Peace Pagodas built in various places around Sri Lanka. They are Ampara, Roomasala ( Galle), Sri Pada, Walapane and Bandarawela. The Ampara Pagoda was opened on February 27th, 1988.

The temple consists of a Stupa, A Mahayana style Image House, and a small Bodhi Tree. From the entrance, a straight path leads to the Stupa. This path is protected by a small parapet wall. Halfway down this path, you will see a sign indicating elephants crossing. The narrow area between the end of the parapet wall and the stupa is a regular path for elephants to cross at the he temple. And if you go there during dusk, you can be almost sure to come face to face with some wild elephants on this path.

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Map of Japanese Peace Pagoda in Ampara

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Travel Directions to Ampara Japanese Peace Pagoda

The temple is located on the border of the Ampara Tank on the D. S. Senanayake Road leading to Inginiyagala. After Traveling 3 km from the Ampara City Centre, A board marked Nipponzan-Myōhōj Peace Pagoda can be found. Turning right to a by-lane from here, the entrance to the temple lies about 200 meters down this lane.

Route 1 from Colombo to Ampara Japanese Peace Pagoda	Route 2 from Colombo to Ampara Japanese Peace Pagoda
Though : Awissawella – Ratnapura – Beragala – Wellawaya – Monaragala Distance :350 km Travel time : 6 hours Driving directions : see on google map	Though : Kandy – Mahiyangana – Bibile – Padiyatalawa – Maha Oya Distance :325 km Travel time : 6 hours Driving directions : see on google map
Route from Ampara Town Ampara Japanes Peace Pagoda
Distance : 3.5 km Travel time : 10 mins Driving directions : see on google map

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Also See

Map of Japanese Peace Pagoda in Ampara

Travel Directions to Ampara Japanese Peace Pagoda

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