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The World Peace Pagoda / Vishwa Shanti Stupa is erected according to the teaching of the Saodharma Pundarika Sutra (The Lotus Sutra) to disseminate love and peace and to create “The Pure Land” on the Earth.

The construction of the Stupa all over the world was initiated by the most Ven. Nichidatsu Fujii Guruji, after seeing the tragedy of atomic bombs in Hiroshima and Nagasaki of Japan, at the end of the World War II.

The Vishwa Shanti Stupa, Vaishali has been built by  Nipponzan Myhoji and Rajgir Buddha Vihar Society, through contributions of devotees in India and Japan. The Lord Buddha’s relics have been enshrined on the foundation and on the top of the Stupa. Construction of this Stupa was started in April 1990 and completed in October 1996.

It is designed by Dr. M. Ohoka of Japan. Overall height 125 ft, base 118 ft, dome diameter 65 ft. Four statues and Kota [top part of the stupa] were sculpted by Shri Sudarshan Sahu [Padma Shree] of Puri, made of fiber glass and polished with gold. Lions, lamps and Dharma Chakras were sculpted by Shri Lakshmi Pandit of Patna. Flooring done by Jitendra N. Prasad of Vaishali. Masons, labours and technicians were local from Vaishali.

July 5, 2013: Trip to Vaishali, Bihar..
Visited three sites:
[1] Raja Vishal ka Ghar / Ruins of Fort of King Vishal
[2] Vishwa Shanti Stupa / World Peace Pagoda
[3] Anand Stupa and Ashokan Pillar..

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Dharmachakra Mudra / Wheel of Dharma

Dharmachakra Mudra / Wheel of Dharma expresses the continuous energy (symbolized by a wheel/chakra) of the cosmic order. The hands are placed at the heart level with the thumbs and index fingers forming circles. The right palm faces outwards and the left one faces towards the heart. This mudra is associated with Buddha’s first sermon, or teaching. It is often referred to as the representation of teaching about the cosmic order as coming from (or through) the heart center.

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Bhumisparsa Mudra / Calling the Earth To Witness the Truth.

Bhumisparsa Mudra is translated as Touching the Earth, or Calling the Earth To Witness the Truth mudra. This hand gesture is always depicted with the right hand, while the left hand is on the lap, with the palm facing outwards.

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Here we see a combination of mudras:
Abhaya Mudra [fear not] with right hand, and Varada Mudra [charity, compassion] with left hand.

Abhaya Mudra – “Fear Not” Mudra / Protection, Reassurance, Blessing.

Bhaya means fear, and Abhaya means absence of fear. The gesture represents protection, peace, benevolence and the dispelling of fear. This gesture is usually made – while standing, and with the right hand – with right bent and raised to shoulder height, the palm facing forward, the fingers closed, pointing upright and the left hand resting by the side.

Abhaya mudra is often paired it with another mudra, typically – Varada Mudra – using the left hand.

Varada Mudra
Varada Mudra: “Charity”, or “Compassion” Mudra.

It signifies offering, welcome, charity, giving, compassion and sincerity. Varada means bestower or giver of blessings. It is nearly always shown made with the left hand. It can be made with the arm crooked and the palm offered slightly turned up or in the case of the arm facing down the palm presented with the fingers upright or slightly bent.

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Reclining Buddha: Resting Buddha / Nirvana Buddha

It is important especially to note the difference in position of the right hand.

If supporting the head of the Buddha, the image denotes that the Buddha is resting.
If the right arm is lying down next to the body, the image denotes that the Buddha has entered into Nirvana (has passed away).

Nirvana Buddha: Nirvana in Buddhism means liberation from the endless cycle of birth – death – rebirth [known as samsara].
Nirvana Buddha: In this pose, the Buddha is always depicted lying on the right hand side on top of a resting table.

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Abhishek Pushkarni

Abhishek Pushkarni: also called the Kharauna Tank or Coronation Tank, is considered to be a holy tank which the Lichchavi s used to sprinkle water over their heads. A very beautiful description of this tank is mentioned in the Buddhist literature. In 1957-58, the famous archaeologist- Dr. A.S. Altekar during his excavation found the remains of 3.25 feet thick and 15″ x 9″ x 2″ brick wall around this tank. He also found some coins and idols of the Shung period. It s believed that this tank of Lichchavis was small originally but was later broadened in 2nd century BC.

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The Vishwa Shanti Stupa is erected according to the teaching of the Saodharma Pundarika Sutra (The Lotus Sutra) to disseminate love and peace and to create “The Pure Land” on the Earth. The construction of the Stupa all over the world was initiated by the most Ven. Nichidatsu Fujii Guruji, after seeing the tragedy of atomic bombs in Hiroshima and Nagasaki of Japan, at the end of the World War II. The Vishwa Shanti Stupa, Vaishali has been built by  Nipponzan Myhoji and Rajgir Buddha Vihar Society, through contributions of devotees in India and Japan. The Lord Buddha’s relics have been enshrined on the foundation and on the top of the Stupa. Construction of this Stupa was started in April 1990 and completed in October 1996.

It is designed by Dr. M. Ohoka of Japan. Overall height 125 ft, base 118ft, dome diameter 65ft. Four statues and Kota [top part of the stupa] were sculpted by Shri Sudarshan Sahu [Padma Shree] of Puri, made of fiber glass and polished with gold. Lions, lamps and Dharma Chakras were sculpted by Shri Lakshmi Pandit of Patna. Flooring done by Jitendra N. Prasad of Vaishali. Masons, labours and technicians were local from Vaishali.

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VAISHALI ATTRACTIONS

Kolhua – Ashokan Pillar and Anand Stupa. Also  Markat-Hrid Tank and Abhishek Pushkarini / Coronation Tank.. click here..
Licchavi Stupa / Buddha’s Relic Stupa in Vaishali..
World Peace Pagoda, Vaishali..
Raja Vishal ka Garh  / Fort of King Vishal.. click here..

 

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Related Links

2016 Vacation: India.. click here..
Incredible India.. click here..
Home State: Bihar, India.. click here..
Home Town: Patna, Bihar, India.. click here..

My Vacations Photo Gallery.. click here..

Vacation: USA / Illinois.. click here..
Vacation: USA.. click here..
Vacation: UK.. click here..
Vacation: India.. click here..
UNESCO World Heritage Site.. click here..

Places of Worship: Temples & more.. click here..
Places of Worship: Churches & more.. click here..

Home: Public Art in Chicago.. .. click here..

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