Ballys Magazine August 2017 Ballys Magazine January 2017 Published by Ballys | Page 36

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December 2016 - January 2017
THE DEPTHS OF COLOMBO'S NIGHT LIFE
PEACE PAGODA - A WORLD SYMBOL OF PEACE
The Peace Pagoda (a Buddhist Stupa) concept was founded by the Japanese Buddhist monk Rev. Michidatsu Fujii (1885-1985),
who was also the founder of the Nipponzan-Myohoji Buddhist Order.
It was established during World War II in which established peace among nations. The first Peace Pagoda was erected in 1947
and according to the available sources, there are 36 Peace Pagodas around the world. Sri Lanka is fortunate to have five of
them which are located at Adam’s Peak (Nallathaniya), Ampara, Bandarawela, Unawatuna and Walapane.
Among these five, the Bandarawela peace Pagoda is considered as the most unique one as it has a panoramic view of the
surrounding area. It is located 7 km away from Bandarawela town, on a small hill top in the middle of the Islaby Tea Estate,
along Bandarawela-Etampitiya road.
The Peace Pagoda at Bandarawela which was built in 1982, has similar features of a Japanese pagoda. Its shrine house is also
designed according to Japanese style and it includes a unique diary, an ash bowl and Japanese drums. It is visited by many
tourists throughout the year and is an ideal location for cycling as well as hiking among tea plantations. B
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