New England Peace Pagoda, Buddhist pagoda in Leverett, Massachusetts
The New England Peace Pagoda is a white cylindrical structure with a domed roof that stands in Leverett, Massachusetts, housing Buddha statues carved by Sri Lankan artisans. An adjacent temple completes the religious complex, creating a full place of worship and contemplation.
The pagoda was built in 1985 as the first Nipponzan-Myohoji peace monument erected in the United States following World War II. The adjacent temple was later rebuilt after a fire, demonstrating the community's commitment to maintaining this peaceful site.
The pagoda serves as a gathering place where people of different faiths come together for ceremonies focused on peace and non-violence. These regular meetings shape how visitors from various backgrounds experience and use this sacred space.
Visitors are welcome to attend morning and evening prayers at the temple, offering a chance to experience the spiritual life of the place firsthand. It helps to arrive prepared with appropriate clothing and respect for the active worship practices taking place there.
The pagoda was built through a community effort where countless volunteers contributed their labor without relying on professional construction crews. This collective approach reflects the peaceful philosophy that the monument itself represents.
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