Place of Peace

Place of Peace is a Japanese temple of approximately 900 square feet located on the Furman University campus in Greenville, featuring traditional architectural design and intricate wooden craftsmanship throughout. Inside, the building contains a meditation hall with seating areas arranged for quiet contemplation and observation of Buddhist practices.

The building was originally constructed in Japan in 1984 before being taken apart into thousands of components for overseas transport. It arrived in South Carolina in 2004 and was reassembled on the university campus, where it has since served as a center for Buddhist practice.

The meditation hall contains a calligraphy scroll with a poem by Koichi Tohei that conveys principles of mindfulness and connection to universal energy. Visitors who sit in the space encounter these teachings as part of the visual and spiritual atmosphere.

The temple is accessible on the Furman University campus and provides quiet spaces for visitors wishing to meditate or reflect. It is advisable to check with the university about visiting hours and any access restrictions, as it is located on a private campus.

The structure completed a remarkable voyage across the Pacific Ocean in approximately 2,400 individual pieces, making it the first complete Japanese temple to be relocated to South Carolina. Each component was carefully packaged and transported to preserve the traditional craftsmanship and architectural integrity during reassembly.

Website: http://app2.furman.edu/web/placeofpeace

GPS coordinates: 34.92816,-82.43654

Latest update: December 13, 2025 12:23