Sri Pada World Peace Bell

In February-March 2012, we were given the permission to install the 21st World Peace Bell for Sri Pada in Sri Lanka. This bell is dedicated to World Peace in Sri Lanka at an aupsicious..[..]

Sankasya World Peace Bell

In 2013 LBDFI installed a Dharma Bell in the historic site of Sankasya, the site where the Buddha returned to the earth from the heavenly realm at the end of the seven..[..]

Nalanda World Peace Bell

Nalanda is the site of the greatest monastic university of the ancient Buddhist world, where countless Panditas and Vidyadharas trained and studied. From the outset, the..[..]

Vaishali World Peace Bell

The Buddha often visited Vaishali in the course of his journeys. Capital of the oldest known republic, the Vrijan confederacy, it was known as a marvelous city, full of gardens..[..]

Rajgir World Peace Bell

Rajgir has a central place in the history of Buddhism, for within the circle of hills that surround this ancient royal city lies Vulture Peak, where the Prajnaparamita teachings were given..[..]

Sarnath World Peace Bell

In the spring of 2005, after the conclusion of the Sixteenth Nyingma World Peace Ceremony in Bodhgaya, plans were initiated to install a World Peace Bell in Sarnath. In the..[..]

Lumbini World Peace Bell

Here in the celestial garden of Lumbini, the fourth Buddha in the Bhadrakalpa was born as the son of King Shuddhodana and Queen Mayadevi of the Shakya clan. Each time this..[..]

Kushinagar World Peace Bell

Shravasti World Peace Bell

Shravasti was the prosperous capital of the Kingdom of Kosala, and the place where the Lord Buddha spend more Vassa retreats than any other. In his first visit to the city..[..]

Bodhgaya Peace Bell

Offering of World Peace Bell Sri Pada on the Occasion of the 2,600th year of the Enlightenment of the Buddha

In February-March 2012, we were given the permission to install the 21st World Peace Bell for Sri Pada in Sri Lanka. This bell is dedicated to World Peace in Sri Lanka at an aupsicious occasion when there is peace in this country.  It was given by Venerable Tarthang Tulku on behalf of TNMC in honor of the 2600th year of Buddha’s enlightenment.

All materials had to be hand carried with the exception of the last detail of the 2.5 tonne bell which was carried by military helicopter. Please see attached  our Sri Pada Brochure which was handed out on the day of the Opening Ceremony. We have many individuals to thank for this incredible opportunity to serve the Mahasangha. May this Dharma Bell continue to ring through this sacred mountain where all blessings from such activity may radiate in all directions.

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Donating a World Peace Bell at Sankasya

In 2013 LBDFI installed a Dharma Bell in the historic site of Sankasya, the site where the Buddha returned to the earth from the heavenly realm at the end of the seventh Vassa, having taught the Abhidamma to his mother and other devas. It is also recorded that the Buddha returned every day to eat in the northern continent, and Sariputta went there by his psychic power and served him and so was able to receive the teachings, returning to Sankasya to write them down every evening in a nearby vihara. Because of this, Sankasya is associated with the Abhidamma and venerated by all Buddhists as one of the eight ancient sites of pilgrimage.

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Donating a World Peace Bell to the Holy Place of Nalanda

Nalanda is the site of the greatest monastic university of the ancient Buddhist world, where countless Panditas and Vidyadharas trained and studied. From the outset, the monastery at Nalanda produced a lineage of outstanding masters who set standards of excellence for those who followed. The most famous of those masters was Nagarjuna, disciple of Rahulabhadra, also known as the Siddha Saraha. According to Taranatha, Asanga, renowned for transmitting the treatises of Maitreya and an outstanding of the higher Abhidharma, also lived at Nalanda for twelve years towards the end of his life.

By the end of the fourth and fifth centuries Nalanda had become the major center for the lineages of Nagarjuna and Asanga. From these lineages stemmed the two major Mahayana philosophical schools of the Madhyamika and Cittamatra. Nalanda was also the site of the development of logic and epistemology in later centuries. With the royal patronage of the Gupta and Pala dynasties, the site rapidly expanded into an extensive complex of temples, shrines and lecture and residential halls.

The site itself is huge, and villages all around the central enclosure have evidence of ancient remains. Often these take the form of beautiful statues of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas uncovered during farming and construction and placed in local temples. At the centre lies the park run by the Archaeological Survey of India, containing the main stupas of Shariputra and Maudgalyayana, the remains of monasteries and temples and the Nalanda Museum, which houses a collection of bronze and stone statues excavated from the area.

In 2008, LBDFI- India obtained approval from the Archaeological Survey of India to install a Dharma Bell in the museum gardens directly across from the main entrance to the Nalanda archaeological site. The bell was installed and dedicated on June 25th in the presence of a number of senior monks and local politicians. Once again, the Lion’s Roar of the Dharma can sound again in this ancient and venerable place.

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Donating a World Peace Bell to the Holy Place of Vaishali

The Buddha often visited Vaishali in the course of his journeys. Capital of the oldest known republic, the Vrijan confederacy, it was known as a marvelous city, full of gardens and with prosperous and elegant inhabitants. Buddha likened the Licchavis of Vaishali to the Gods of the Trayastrimsa heaven in the glory of their appearance and beauty of their apparel.

At nearby Kolhua, the Buddha announced his impending Parinirvana and preached his last sermon. Following the Parinirvana, the Licchavis received a portion of the relics and housed them in a stupa in the centre of the city. At the entrance to this ancient stupa, LBDFI has erected a great Dharma bell in collaboration with the Ananda Kuti Vihar, located not far away. Plans are now underway to complete a small garden to surround this bell and to further beautify this ancient and important place.

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Donating a World Peace Bell to the Holy Place of Rajgir

Rajgir has a central place in the history of Buddhism, for within the circle of hills that surround this ancient royal city lies Vulture Peak, where the Prajnaparamita teachings were given, and the Saptabparni Cave, where 500 Arhats gathered after the Parinirvana and held the First Council of the Buddhist Sangha. Ruled by King Bimbisara in Buddha’s time, the Kingdom of Magadha eventually grew into the Mauryan Empire, ruled by the Great Emperor Ashoka, who did so much to promote the spread of the Dharma in the ancient world.

For the opening of the Rajgir bell, Venerable Tarthang Tulku Rinpoche wrote the following words:

The scriptures relate that twenty-five centuries ago, when the Buddha ascended the Vulture Peak, heavenly flowers appeared and the Buddhafields trembled. As the Buddha arose to teach, a ray of light emanated from the forehead of the World-Honored One and illuminated the cosmos from the eighty-thousand Buddhafields deep into the hells. Celestial beings of the ten directions flocked to Rajgir; Bodhisattvas and gods appeared in the skies, and the Sangha of Arhats and disciples gathered to hear the Lord of Light set forth the path that puts an end to karma and klesha and opens doors to complete, perfect Enlightenment.

The voice of the Great Muni still resounds in this land, where Arhats attained realization through the teachings of the Thirty-seven Wings of Enlightenment, Four Noble Truths, the Eightfold Path, and Pratityasamutpada, the understanding that releases beings from endless cycles of birth and death. Here also are the bases of the Five Paths to Awakening and keys to perfect wisdom that guide the Great Bodhisattvas. Heard by Brahma and Indra, these and more profound revelations were later rehearsed on Vulture Peak by Avalokiteshvara, Manjushri, and Vajrapani. The valley and fields of Rajgir still resonate with the dialogues of Arhats, disciples, patriarchs, and Bodhisattvas, as these great beings continued to unfold the blessings of Enlightenment. Even now, the power of these blessings attract pilgrims from throughout the world to honor this holy place and to pray that all beings realize the abiding peace of nirvana. Wishing to amplify these blessings for the benefit of all humanity, we offer this bell, symbol of Vaca, the Buddhas voice, and the liberating qualities conveyed through Enlightened Speech.

Sutras relate that the speech of the Sugata is soft, supporting the roots of virtue; mild, causing delight even in those involved in worldly life; pleasing by its meaning; free from the influence of the passions; brilliant in its clarity; producing ease in the body; and satisfying the mind. Clearing away all doubt, the speech of the Buddha gladdens the heart. Liberated from sorrow, it is always joyful. Free from all that causes pain and sorrow, it brings peace and happiness to body, mind, and spirit.

The word of the Buddha is powerful, like the roar of the lion; it exudes dignity, like the cry of an elephant; it penetrates deeply, like the roll of thunder. It is worthy of being heard, like the voice of the nâga king. It is sweet, like the music of gandharvas; it is clear and melodious, like the song of the kalabinka. It reaches far, like the sound of Brahmâ, lord of the highest heavens; it is delightful, like the voice of Indra. Conveying many ideas in one, it satisfies all human faculties. Heard equally well near or far, it reaches beings in all realms of existence.

Resonant with the power of the Great Physician, may the voice of this bell transcend the boundaries of language, culture, and fixed views to inspire humanity with the goal of universal peace and understanding. May its sound reverberate throughout the ten directions, healing the wounds of greed and aggression and filling the minds of beings everywhere with thoughts of peace and loving-kindness.

We are humbled and gratified by this opportunity to dedicate the Peace Bell of Rajgir to the people of this holy land of Enlightenment, home of the Chakravartin King Ashoka, renowned for peace and wise governance; home also of Gandhiji, Nehru, and their successors who continue Ashoka’s legacy today through their support of democracy and religious freedom.

This Peace Bell is our gesture of gratitude for the hospitality shown Tibetans seeking refuge in this sacred realm. To the government of Bihar and the directors of this place of worship, we offer thanks for permission to place the Peace Bell at the Vishvashanti Stupa on Chattha Hill, where its voice can resound throughout the hills of Rajgir. May the merit of this offering sustain the longevity of the Dharma and foster peace throughout the world, May all of Bharata’s great spiritual traditions welcome this bell as a gesture of mutual respect and understanding, a symbol of our shared aspirations for peace that liberates the human heart and mind.

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Sarnath World Peace Bell

In the spring of 2005, after the conclusion of the Sixteenth Nyingma World Peace Ceremony in Bodhgaya, plans were initiated to install a World Peace Bell in Sarnath. In this way, we were following the Buddha’s path from Bodhgaya to Sarnath, where the Enlightened One first turned the wheel of the Dharma.

The Maha Bodhi Society of India, the primary caretaker of the Sarnath site, built a new temple at Sarnath in 1931, the Mulagandha Kuti Vihara, and empowered it with relics of the Buddha. This temple is renowned for its beautiful and unique Indo-Japanese inspired murals of the Buddha’s life story. Directly outside of the temple is a sapling of the original Bodhi Tree from Bodh Gaya, also planted in 1931, which has now grown to fill the courtyard. Here pilgrims come to circumambulate the holy tree and pay their respect to the statues of the Buddha and his first five disciples. This holy garden, with a view of the Damekh Stupa, was envisioned as the location of the second World Peace Bell.

Both Bhikkhu Rewatha Thero, the Maha Bodhi Society of India Secretary General, and Bhikkhu Sumeeda, in charge of the Sarnath compound, were eager and honoured to have the second World Peace Bell installed. Indeed, their original bell — donated by the Japanese Buddhist community — was broken, and replacing it would be deeply auspicious.

After securing formal permission from the District Magistrate and the Forest Department, construction began on March 17, 2005. When the bell was ready for dedication, the Maha Bodhi Society’s Sangha gathered to chant the Dharmacakkappavattana Sutta, the Buddha’s first teaching.

After securing formal permission from the District Magistrate and the Forest Department, construction began on March 17, 2005. When the bell was ready for dedication, the Maha Bodhi Society’s Sangha gathered to chant the Dharmacakkappavattana Sutta, the Buddha’s first teaching.

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Lumbini World Peace Bell

Here in the celestial garden of Lumbini, the fourth Buddha in the Bhadrakalpa was born as the son of King Shuddhodana and Queen Mayadevi of the Shakya clan. Each time this great bell symbolizing the Buddhavacana rings out, sound flows from its open heart through the sutras, mantras, and prayers upon its surface, filling the mind of all who hear its melody with the blessings and peace of Dharma. In honour of the Kingdom of Nepal, the patron of all the Buddhas who have reigned in Jambudvipa, and in honour of the illustrious Clan of the Shakyas, with great respect for the history, culture, and religion of Nepal, and on behalf of the Tibetans full of faith in Dharma, this bell is dedicated as a symbol of peace for all time.

Installation of the Lumbini Bell

The Lumbini peace bell arrived in Nepal at a dynamic time of change and new directions. After the Nepalese Ministry of Finance had approved the bell as a public monument, it was donated to the Lumbini Development Trust, a group of fifty-four persons headed by the Minister of Culture and Tourism, which manages the Lumbini Sacred Garden

The Lumbini peace bell arrived in Nepal at a dynamic time of change and new directions. After the Nepalese Ministry of Finance had approved the bell as a public monument, it was donated to the Lumbini Development Trust, a group of fifty-four persons headed by the Minister of Culture and Tourism, which manages the Lumbini Sacred Garden.

The Development Trust agreed that the most appropriate place for the peace bell would be adjacent to the eternal peace flame, a short distance from the exact spot where the Buddha was born. Allotted just three weeks for the bell’s installation, the bell team worked hard to complete installation in time for the celebration of Buddha Jayanti. At dawn of the day of the Buddha’s Enlightenment, the bell was installed and ready for the ceremony. The Vice-President and Minister of Culture of Nepal were the first to ring the bell.

Over two thousand people attended the Buddha Jayanti celebrations. More than a thousand circumambulated the sacred garden and ended their walk at the newly installed peace bell. Monks and nuns from all Buddhist traditions attended, and many offered plants and flowering trees for the beautiful Peace Bell Garden. A senior monk from Korea graciously sponsored installation of a water pump for pilgrims in the area.

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Donating World Peace Bell to Holy Place of Shravasti

Shravasti was the prosperous capital of the Kingdom of Kosala, and the place where the Lord Buddha spend more Vassa retreats than any other. In his first visit to the city he performed the miracle of the pairs, when the Buddha rose into the air and simultaneously emitted fire and water over the heads of his astounded audience, thereby defeating six philosopher magicians and converting them to the Dharma.

There were two major monasteries in the city, the Eastern monastery, or Purvarama donated by Visakka, and to the South, the Jeta grove, purchased by the merchant Anathapindaka. Within the Jetavana was the Gandakhuti, the Hall of Fragrance where Lord Buddha taught the Dharma and from which the teachings were spread for centuries thereafter as an important centre of the Sarvastivadin school. Near Sravasti are also stupas erected over relics of the three previous Buddhas of this era, Kraccuchanda, Kanakamuni and Kasyapa.

LBDFI has recently sponsored and erected a great Dharma Bell at Shravasti. It stands in the grounds of the Burmese Temple near the entrance to the Jetavana.

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