New England Peace Pagoda

A black, white, and dark blue striped header image with the text New England Peace Pagoda

On the same day I made quick history stops in Petersham, walked along the shores of the Quabbin Reservoir, and explored Bear’s Den, I visited the New England Peace Pagoda in Leverett, MA. Completed in 1985, this stupa now serves as a center of worship for local Cambodian and Japanese Buddhists. The building was created symbols of peace after the bombing of Japan at the end of World War II. The mission of the Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Order is encouraging total nuclear disarmament, while the site itself provides a quiet place of reflection and meditation.

A white stupa with a tall golden chatra or umbrella-like spire Attached to a triangular rock are bronze busts of a Japanese man and Wampanoag man wearing traditional ceremonial clothing. Below them is a plaque detailing the life of Slow Turtle. Behind the rock is the stupa. A stucco building with steps leading up to wooden double doors. Above the doors is a large round window. The building is shaped around the window.

The building of the pagoda was led by Nichidatsu Fujii, also known as Guruji, who worked with Mahatma Gandhi during his ashram or mission trip to India. The pagoda was one of eighty located around the world that Guruji built during his lifetime, but similar pilgrimage sites have been built in southeast Asia since the 8th century BC, predating Buddhism. Many stupa have the same architectural elements. These include stairs leading up to the pradakshina patha or raised base for a ritualistic walk and more stairs leading to a smaller, circular story. The anda or dome acts as a roof covering sacred objects, such as the remains of a holy figure. Atop the dome is the hamika or square railing above the dome, and on top are chatra or several umbrellas to symbolize protection. This chatra had nine tiers, which is the highest possible number.

The stone altar is about fifteen feet tall and made of three sections of stone. Yellow and pink chrysanthemums decorate the altar. A golden statue of Buddha in lotus position sitting in a recessed area of the dome Colorful prayer flags hang between the trees over the garden and the single-story, wooden, Japanese style pagoda with open sides

In line with their message of peace and solidarity, Japanese Buddhist monks worked with Native American when creating the pagoda complex. Their primary contact was Slow Turtle, the supreme medicine man of Wampanoag Nation who served as Executive Director of the Massachusetts Commission on Indian Affairs, which had been formed in 1974. The short speech given by Slow Turtle on the inaugural ceremony of the Peace Pagoda is engraved on a plaque attached to a rock not far from the stupa. He referred to the continent as Turtle Island, and invited all people to visit.

A white stupa with a statue of Buddha in its dome and a golden chatra with nine sections. Surrounding the stupa are fall trees and clear blue sky. Colorful flags hang between the autumn trees. A sign at the foot of the stone altar reads “Honor and prayers reverently offered to the spirits of the ancestors of the indigenous people of Turtle Island”.

Besides the stupa and a temple, which was inaugurated in 2011, a stone garden with prayer flags and two altars were on the site. One altar had Japanese text and seemed to dedicated to Buddhist worship practices, while the other had a sign in English reading “Honor and prayers reverently offered to the spirits of the ancestors of the indigenous people of Turtle Island”. I appreciated the creativity in blending these two seemingly different worship practices.

A retaining wall with the word WELCOME in stone at the front. above the wall are two golden lions with a roofed kiosk in the middle. The kiosk contains two signs, once for a Cambodian meditation group and one for the Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Order A red-painted roofed kiosk containing a white sign with black texts. A metal plaque attached to a rock containing a speech

New England Peace Pagoda is open to all from dawn to dusk. Clearly marked signage indicates opening times and rules, including no pets, drugs, or alcohol on the property. Plenty of parking is available at the bottom of the hill. Those without physical impairments are encouraged to walk up, while those with limited mobility are permitted to drive. This was a calming experience at the end of a day full of exercise and adventure. I encourage those interested in exploring world cultures and religions to visit this site and learn more about Buddhist practices in a safe and welcoming setting.


Abby Epplett’s Rating System

Experience: 9/10

Accessibility: 9/10



Location: 100 Cave Hill Rd, Leverett, MA 01054, USA

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