• TOURISM & CULTURE
  • ADVERTISEMENT

Latest News

  • Ladakh makes R-Day debut in style
  • Kargil to be developed as adventure tourism destination: Union minister
  • Brazil President thanks India for ‘Sanjeevni Booti’ against Covid
  • Sikyong congratulates US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on inauguration
  • Bhutan is the first country to receive the Government of India’s gift of the COVID vaccines
  • Home
  • ABOUT US
  • BUDDHIST HISTORY
    • BUDDHISM MESSAGES
    • Message by PM Narendra Modi
  • BUDDHIST CIRCUIT
  • BUDDHIST MONKS
  • MONASTRIES
  • BODH GAYA
  • MCLEOD GANJ

Forgotten Japanese Temple in Mumbai an Oasis of Buddhist Calm

Nov 11, 2016 developer3.matrixwebstudio BREAKING NEWS, TOP NEWS 1


By Shyamal Sinha

unnamed-1

Bhikshu Morita has been the resident monk at Nipponzan Myohoji since 1976. From mid-day.comAmid the chaotic streets of Worli Naka stands a peaceful temple ‘Nipponzan Myohoji’ – a Japanese Buddhist Monastery founded by Nichidatsu Fujii Guruji, the first disciple to fulfill this Prophetic vision of Nichiren Diashonin as the only way to repay boundless debt of gratitude to the Buddha in his original land of dharma.

one of the busiest commercial districts of Mumbai, sits the almost forgotten Nipponzan Myohoji, the city’s oldest Buddhist temple. Spread over an area of some 820 square meters, the temple offers a refuge of secluded peace from the outside world, a place where Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike can retreat and reflect.

Established in 1956, Nipponzan Myohoji’s origins are directly linked to a more-than-700-year-old prophecy by the 13th century Japanese Buddhist monk Nichiren (1222–82), who said that the ultimate salvation of humanity, contaminated by all that was evil and impure, lay in the western haven of India, the country that was home to Buddhism. Centuries later, another Japanese monk, Nichidatsu Fujii (1885–1985), a fervent pacifist and founder of the Nipponzan-Myohoji-Daisanga order of Nichiren Buddhism, came to India in 1931 with a group of disciples, with the intention of fulfilling that prophecy by communicating the Lotus Sutra in India.

unnamed-2

Passing through the temple’s main entrance. From dnaindia.com

While in India, where he remained until 1938, Fujii built a small temple in Worli Naka. In 1956, the original structure was converted into a free resthouse (or dharamshala) for pilgrims and a nursery school for underprivileged children, and the existing temple was added to the site. During this period, Fujii became a close associate of Mahatma Gahdi and played an active role in India’s independence movement. The renowned politician and social reformer Dr. B. R. Ambedkar (1891–1956), who inspired the Dalit Buddhist movement, also visited this temple during his lifetime.

The resident monk, Bhikshu Morita, who has tended the quiet temple and its grounds since 1976, continues to go about his business in a peaceful, unassuming manner, unperturbed by the noise and hustle of daily life that rushes about like an unceasing whirlwind outside the temple walls. “The aim behind building this temple was to establish peace and bring people of all religions and castes together,” he says. “Peaceful well-being and integrity among humans is the main motive of Buddhism and we follow it.” (DNA India)

The tranquility of the temple is only broken periodically by the soothing chant, “Namu Myoho Renge Kyo,” (devotion to the mystic law of the Lotus Sutra) the central mantra of Nichiren Buddhism, accompanied by rhythmic drum beats, every morning from 6–7am and from 6–7:30pm.

“Our temple has visitors from all ethnicities,” says Bhikshu Morita. “Hindus, including Dalits,* as well as Christians and Parsis. Buddhists and neo-Buddhists . . . Chinese, Japanese, and Tibetans come to meditate and take darshan. This is thus a liberal forum that bonds all religions.” (The Times of India)

The temple’s regular visitors are quick acknowledge the unique position the temple occupies in the local community, Manohar Lampite, a former government employee, converted to Buddhism in 1956, and first visited the temple in 1965. “The ambience is far removed from the surrounding environment and its heartening to see people from different backgrounds, and even nationalities, unify in peace.” Another frequent devotee, Dr. Hu Si Lin, a dentist, observes: “I have been a personal friend to Morita for many years and I take hope from how Buddhists even from different sects gather together. There are no political or commercial overtures. This is spirituality at its most liberal and purest.” (The Times of India)

unnamed-3

The temple welcomes visitors of all faiths and backgrounds. From indianexpress.com

For Bhikshu Morita, Buddhism has a clear objective: “I think Buddhists have a crucial responsibility as agents of peace and congeniality. Being a liberal, all-embracing religion, Buddhism can, in that sense, help establish world peace.” (The Times of India)

Nichidatsu Fujii Guruji lived in the first temple built in 1907 where Japanese warriors and women who were killed by the British were buried. It still exists within the Hindu cremation grounds. He himself was buried here. There is a prayer ceremony once a year here when the Japanese Committee from Japan comes down to India in November.

Share this...
Share on Facebook
Facebook
Tweet about this on Twitter
Twitter
Email this to someone
email
Share on LinkedIn
Linkedin

  • tweet
Shahnaz Hussain's herbal tips to prevent pollution affecting your skin First Cultural Forum of the Heart Sutra Held in Nanjing, China

Related articles
  • Ladakh makes R-Day debut in style
    Ladakh makes R-Day debut in style

    Jan 27, 2021 Comments Off on Ladakh makes R-Day debut in style

  • Kargil to be developed as adventure tourism destination: Union minister
    Kargil to be developed as adventure...

    Jan 25, 2021 Comments Off on Kargil to be developed as adventure tourism destination: Union minister

  • Urge India to refrain from complicating situation along border, says China
    Urge India to refrain from complicating...

    Jan 25, 2021 Comments Off on Urge India to refrain from complicating situation along border, says China

  • Brazil President thanks India for ‘Sanjeevni Booti’ against Covid
    Brazil President thanks India for...

    Jan 23, 2021 Comments Off on Brazil President thanks India for ‘Sanjeevni Booti’ against Covid

More in this category
  • Ladakh makes R-Day debut in style
    Ladakh makes R-Day debut in style

    Jan 27, 2021 Comments Off on Ladakh makes R-Day debut in style

  • Kargil to be developed as adventure tourism destination: Union minister
    Kargil to be developed as adventure...

    Jan 25, 2021 Comments Off on Kargil to be developed as adventure tourism destination: Union minister

  • Brazil President thanks India for ‘Sanjeevni Booti’ against Covid
    Brazil President thanks India for...

    Jan 23, 2021 Comments Off on Brazil President thanks India for ‘Sanjeevni Booti’ against Covid

  • Sikyong congratulates US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on inauguration
    Sikyong congratulates US President Joe...

    Jan 22, 2021 Comments Off on Sikyong congratulates US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on inauguration


One thought on “Forgotten Japanese Temple in Mumbai an Oasis of Buddhist Calm”

  1. Chelsia March 22, 2017 at 3:53 pm

    It is perfect time to make some plans for the future and it is time to be happy. I’ve read this post and if I could I wish to suggest you some inttreseing things or advice. Perhaps you could write next articles referring to this article. I wish to read more things about it!

Comments are closed.

VIDEO NEWS

WEEK IN VIDEO

BUDDHIST CUISINE

  • Buddhist Cuisine-5

    Buddhist Cuisine-5

    Aug 01, 2019
  • Buddhist Cuisine-4

    Buddhist Cuisine-4

    Aug 01, 2019
  • Buddhist Cuisine-3

    Buddhist Cuisine-3

    Aug 01, 2019
  • Buddhist Cuisine-2

    Buddhist Cuisine-2

    Aug 01, 2019
  • Buddhist Cuisine-1

    Buddhist Cuisine-1

    Aug 01, 2019

Mantra Om Mani Padme Hum

Intl Chanting Ceremony Bodhgaya 2019

gallery img (60)
gallery img (47)
gallery img (35)
gallery img (15)
gallery img (38)
gallery img (49)
gallery img (41)
gallery img (27)
gallery img (58)
gallery img (55)
gallery img (53)
gallery img (51)
gallery img (50)
gallery img (46)
gallery img (44)
gallery img (43)
gallery img (42)
gallery img (40)
gallery img (37)
gallery img (33)
gallery img (32)
gallery img (31)
gallery img (30)
gallery img (29)
gallery img (26)
gallery img (24)
gallery img (23)
gallery img (22)
gallery img (21)
gallery img (20)
gallery img (19)
gallery img (18)
gallery img (17)
gallery img (16)
gallery img (14)
gallery img (13)
gallery img (12)
gallery img (11)
gallery img (8)
gallery img (6)
gallery img (5)
gallery img (4)
gallery img (2)
gallery img (1)
gallery img (62)
gallery img (28)
DSC_0180
DSCF7503
DSCF7483
DSCF7475
DSC_0077
DSC_0130

GALLERY

  • Ven. Lama Lobzang -15 January 2016

    Ven. Lama Lobzang -15 January 2016

    Jan 16, 2016
  • Launch buddhisttimes.news at Greater Noida

    Launch buddhisttimes.news at Greater Noida

    Jan 16, 2016
  • Buddhism in Japan

    Buddhism in Japan

    Jan 15, 2016
  • Jan 09, 2016
  • Jan 09, 2016
  • Jan 09, 2016
  • Jan 09, 2016
  • Jan 09, 2016
  • Jan 09, 2016
  • Jan 09, 2016
  • Dec 30, 2015
  • Dec 30, 2015
  • Dec 30, 2015
  • Dec 30, 2015
  • Dec 30, 2015
  • Dec 30, 2015
  • Dec 30, 2015
  • Dec 30, 2015
  • Dec 30, 2015
  • Dec 30, 2015
  • Dec 30, 2015
  • Dec 30, 2015
  • Dec 30, 2015
  • Dec 30, 2015
  • Dec 30, 2015
  • Dec 30, 2015
  • Dec 30, 2015
  • Dec 30, 2015

Weather

+39
°
C

+39°
+27°

Bodh Gaya
Saturday, 30

See 7-Day Forecast

NOTICE

  • Dr. Yeshi Dhonden, Former Personal Physician to the Dalai Lama, Dies
    Dr. Yeshi Dhonden, Former Personal Physician to the Dalai...

    Nov 27, 2019 Comments Off on Dr. Yeshi Dhonden, Former Personal Physician to the Dalai Lama, Dies

    By  Staff writer Dr. Yeshi Dhonden, 1927–2019....
  • Former Rigpa Head Sogyal Rinpoche Passes Away in Thailand
    Former Rigpa Head Sogyal Rinpoche Passes Away in Thailand

    Aug 29, 2019 Comments Off on Former Rigpa Head Sogyal Rinpoche Passes Away in Thailand

    By Staff Writer On behalf of all members of the...
  • Passing of World-renowned Scholar Jao Tsung-I Mourned
    Passing of World-renowned Scholar Jao Tsung-I Mourned

    Feb 07, 2018 Comments Off on Passing of World-renowned Scholar Jao Tsung-I Mourned

    By Staff Writer On behalf of all members of the...
  • Respected Tibetan Teacher Kyabje Gelek Rinpoche Dies
    Respected Tibetan Teacher Kyabje Gelek Rinpoche Dies

    Feb 17, 2017 Comments Off on Respected Tibetan Teacher Kyabje Gelek Rinpoche Dies

    Respected Tibetan Teacher Kyabje Gelek Rinpoche On behalf...
  • Condolence message on the demise of Ven. Anamaduwe Sri Dhammadassi NayakeThero
    Condolence message on the demise of Ven. Anamaduwe Sri...

    Jun 27, 2016 Comments Off on Condolence message on the demise of Ven. Anamaduwe Sri Dhammadassi NayakeThero

    Ven. Anamaduwe Sri Dhammadassi NayakeThero General...

Inauguration

  • Inauguration 7

    Inauguration 7

    Aug 01, 2019
  • Inauguration 6

    Inauguration 6

    Aug 01, 2019
  • Inauguration 5

    Inauguration 5

    Aug 01, 2019
  • Inauguration 4

    Inauguration 4

    Aug 01, 2019
  • Inauguration 3

    Inauguration 3

    Aug 01, 2019
  • Inauguration 2

    Inauguration 2

    Aug 01, 2019
Copyright budhisttimes.news 2019-20 | All Rights Reserved
Developed & Maintained By Shyamal Sinha Web Design Delhi Web Design Agency in Delhi Web Desinging Services in India Best Website Portfolio Creative Website Desinging Agency in Delhi Web Desinging Comapny India Custom Web Application Development Comapny Wordpress Website Designing Logo Desinging in Delhi Internet Marketing Company Mobile Application Development
  • TECH & SCIENCE
  • BUDDHIST ART/MUSIC
  • UPCOMING PROGRAM