Vishwa Shanti Stupa

Vishwa Shanti Stupa is a white World Peace Pagoda located in Vaishali, Bihar, about 55-60 km north of Patna. Built by the Japanese Buddhist organisation Nipponzan Myohoji and inaugurated in 1996, it stands near the ancient Lichchhavi capital where Buddha delivered his last sermon. The 125-foot tall stupa enshrines relics of the Buddha and features four gilded images of Buddha depicting birth, enlightenment, teaching and parinirvana, set within landscaped gardens.

Visitors can expect a large white domed stupa set in open landscaped gardens with paved pathways and a lotus-filled pond. The stupa has four sides with gilded Buddha statues in different mudras, a central dome enshrining Buddha relics, and a prayer hall for meditation. The surroundings are quiet and park-like, offering views of the Vaishali plains, space for circumambulation, photography of the architecture, and a calm environment for sightseeing and reflection.

Vaishali is an ancient city of the Lichchhavi republic and an important Buddhist site where Buddha visited and delivered his last sermon. The Vishwa Shanti Stupa was built by the Japanese Buddhist sect Nipponzan Myohoji under the guidance of Nichidatsu Fujii (Fujii Guruji) to promote world peace. Construction was completed and the stupa was inaugurated in 1996, enshrining relics of the Buddha.

The stupa is a significant Buddhist pilgrimage site and a symbol of world peace and non-violence. It is revered by Buddhists from India and abroad, especially Japanese devotees, and serves as a centre for prayer, meditation and cultural exchange reflecting Vaishali's Buddhist heritage.