Admission at the Peace Pagoda is free and I believe it is open until dusk. After parking, there is a decent little hike to get to the grounds. The path is not paved and is not stroller friendly so keep that in mind if you have young kids or mobility concerns. For handicapped individuals, you can carefully drive all the way up to the temple. There is no official parking there but there is room to park. Once you arrive, you'll find a Buddhist peace pagoda, a temple, a pond, a zen garden, and other peaceful areas to explore. The pagoda was built in 1985 and expanded over the years. You can spend 20 minutes here or hours depending on your state of mind. I've been coming here for over 20 years and it's still one of my favorite places to slow down. The koi pond with the lily pads and frogs is always a highlight. I brought my 6 year old son and he was in awe of the temple, the monk drumming, and the quiet nature of the area. He kept talking about it afterward and said it was one of his favorite places he has been to in a while. The pond area almost has a maze like quality to it and the trees behind the grounds feel like a forest waiting to be explored so he especially loved exploring the grounds. Visitors can go inside the temple but keep in mind there are prayer times and other events happening. This is an active spiritual place so people should be quiet and respectful while visiting. There is no food available and I am not sure about public bathrooms. Expect little to no cell service, not just here but in Leverett in general. read more

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A lovely pastoral setting to reflect, and meditate, the Peace Pagoda has lovely rock garden, and the temple is beautiful. The atmosphere around the compound, shrines, and ponds is one of complete serenity. Prayer ceremonies take place in the early morning, and the evening. It was great learning that there was this lovely Buddhist temple located in the area that we were traveling. Your GPS is your friend to find this wonderful serine location, it is difficult to find without... read more

What a beautiful place to visit for relaxation and meditation! I have been searching it for a long time. This is the place that I call home of Buddhism read more

I never expected to find something this special so close to home. It was a beautiful temple that made you feel like you were far away in another country. We bumped into a nice woman who volunteers at the grounds and she generously gave us a run down of the history and a quick tour of the temple. We took our shoes off out of respect and while there is no cost to enter there is a donation box if you are so inclined. There is a bit of a very steep walk to the top where wild turkeys passed us. Those with handicapped plates are allowed to drive to the top. They are trying to protect the natural beauty of the grounds. I'm guilty of the over use of the term gem but this is really a GEM and was an amazing experience. We were invited to take an origami creation on the way out as a symbol of peace. It really was a peaceful place and a nice oasis. read more

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Serenity is hard to come by these days but I totally achieved it here ... and if you have been here before, you can understand why. I was here when the pagoda was first erected and I try to make a trip to Leverett to visit as often as I can. I feel centered and refreshed when I am here and for a mom of three (with two special needs kids) that is a good thing. The pagoda was built on one of the highest peaks in the area and they have added other things for the monks and nuns. They put in a lily pond with plenty of places to sit and meditate and listen to the quiet. Also, love to pick up rocks on the walk up to the pagoda and build my carin stone memorial for loved ones who are no longer here and for those who need positive energy sent their way. Yah, I guess I am a hippie at heart but that is ok by me. read more

New England Peace Pagoda - Buddhist Temples Near Me - Leverett, Massachusetts

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One of my favorite spots in Western Mass. It's so easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of city life - coming here really grounds me and forces me to take the time to be quiet and at peace with myself. The Peace Pagoda itself is gorgeous, and the temple is of ornate and beautiful inside. Once on the property, the peaceful aura is pure and tangible. My favorite area is sitting between the Japanese rock garden and the lily pond, with the rainbow of prayer flags waving in the wind. I wish I could come here more often, but definitely make the trip whenever possible. read more

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Might be good to visit if you're Cambodian, but while there are signs in English this place is nowhere near as inviting as Hue Lam Meditation Temple in Fitchburg, the interior is very small, and it doesn't have nice gardens either. I guess I got spoiled by my hometown temple. Signs say to park a distance away, but almost nobody did. There were lots of cars right by the pagoda, people congregating for a funeral. So my timing was bad, but it wasn't peaceful or meditative. It was a shock to go into the pagoda and see an open casket. read more

What a find! This place is simply a MUST if you're in New England or in Western Massachusetts and interested in visiting spiritual hot spots especially in the summer. Beautiful well-maintained grounds, this place is looked after by an army of volunteers. There are multiple buildings, meditation spots and places to check out on the grounds. By far, my favorite spot is the Zen rock Garden in the back and the Water Lily Pond with the stone bridge walkway. When I was there, a whole bunch of frogs hung out with me, while peeping out of the water. There is the actual Peace pagoda, the giant white stupa with scenes from the Buddha's life on all 4 cardinal points. There is the actual meditation temple - when I walked in I had the entire place to myself (please remember to take off your shoes at the entrance!) and you could literally FEEL the silence and peace. With giant statues of the Buddha, the bodhisattvas, pictures of the enlightened teachers, offerings (like sacks of rice and fruit), this is a wonderful place to come to if you just need some "me" time and find a space to get centered in again. read more

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If you are looking for a place to breath and explore, this place is a treasure. It was created to unite the people of the world to end nuclear war. This is the first one built in North America. We found silence, peace and creatures of all sizes. Tips: There is about a 1/4 mile hike to the top. Look for frogs on the sides of the pond. They are fun read more

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I've been coming here for many years. It's a lovely place to visit alone or with a friend or loved one who will appreciate it. I love bringing people here who lived in the area their whole lives and had no idea such a place existed so close to home. This place is very special. I once took care of a man who helped build the pagoda in the 70s. He had some wonderful and fantastic stories. There used to be a website of stories and testimonials from people who helped build it or just had powerful and/or life changing experiences in or around this magical location. I was so proud to see the New England Peace Pagoda mentioned in the Massachusetts chapter of Natalie Zaman's 2017 awesome travel guide, "Magical Destinations of the Northeast". Everyone is welcomed between dusk and dawn. There is a small parking lot followed by a short hike up hill to the pagoda, pond, rock garden etc. They (the Nuns and Monks) ask that there is no smoking, littering, pets (because of doodoo I'd imagine) "drugs" or alcohol on the property. It's a functioning Buddhist temple and there is an active community here so please be respectful. You are allowed to drive up to the pagoda to drop off an elder or disabled person who can't make the hike up. One of the most peaceful establishments I know in the area. read more

I visited the Peace Pagoda this weekend with a friend. I had a tour of the temple with Claire, a buddhist monk that has lived there for over 25 years. Her grace and kindness was endearing. The place itself was mystical, and it was a wonderful place to practice presence, spirituality, and peace. The Peace Pagoda is beautiful and massive. Walking around it, I felt the magnitude of this special place and it's message of Peace. Claire, gave a detailed history of the Pagoda and it's grounds and with her gentle voice and demeanor, she passed along the message of "Keep on, Keeping on, Remembering the Light within Your own Heart." a Buddhist saying, that had been passed down to her by one of her teachers. We walked around the Zen garden and Lilly pond, where there where hundreds of prayer flags placed by visitors. The lotus flowers were beginning to bloom and blossom. It was a beautiful day, and a great place to meditate and truly allow the beauty of nature and spirit to embrace and surround you. I did not want to leave and could not stop taking pictures! We brought a large bag of basmati rice and a few bags of lentils, as well as a few gallons of water as a peace offering. Claire and the monks of the Pagoda where very gracious and offered our offerings to the temple in front of us. We participated in chanting of "Na Mu Myo Ho Ren Ge Kyo". The purpose is to attain perfect and complete awakening (enlightenment). The chant represents devotion or conviction in the Mystic Law of Life as expounded in the Lotus Sutra, not merely as one of many scriptures, but as the ultimate teaching of Buddhism, particularly with regard to Nichiren's interpretation. It was wonderful to be a part of a Buddhist tradition, that was somewhat foreign to me, yet it felt really special and universal, embracing of all that is divine. Before we left, Claire invited us for tea. It was the perfect ending to a truly wonderful experience. I am very grateful for having visited the New England Peace Pagoda, and recommend this place as a MUST SEE in Western, Massachusetts. You will leave feeling renewed, alive and grateful for places like this that still exist in today's fast paced society. read more

It's gorgeous here. I visited with my family to celebrate Cambodian New Year. It's mainly Japanese but there's a smaller area before the pagoda where the Cambodian temple lies. The Japanese pagoda is monumental and magical. Near the pagoda are beautiful ponds - I'd be cool if they added koi. I'm usually never in Western MA but I would def come back to visit here. read more

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This place is amazing! So beautiful and peaceful! They have prayer every day at 530am and 530pm. There are multiple buildings ponds and temples on the property. A real hidden gem. Perfect afternoon. read more

I was here about three years ago for Cambodian new year's celebration and this place is just peaceful . They have a big walking trail that lead you to a big pond with fishes swimming in it . It helps keep your mind as ease . You can sit by the pond and read a book . They also have big beautiful Buddha shrines and statues . If I was ever to go back to visit my hometown around this time of year , I would go back and visit this place . It's so beautiful . Takes me down memory lane and remind me of when I was visiting Cambodia with my parents . It's give you a little knowledge about your own culture . read more