Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar and the representatives of several Buddhist countries participated in the 55th anniversary function of the Vishwa Shanti Stupa (world peace pagoda) at Rajgir on Friday. They asserted peace in the world could prevail by following the path shown by the Buddha.

Japanese Buddhist monk Nichidatsu Fujii, who founded the Nipponzan Myohoji order of Buddhism, built the large white stupa having statues of the Buddha on its four sides atop the Ratnagiri Hill in Rajgir.

It is the first of the several such stupas built by him to stress the importance of world peace in the backdrop of the nuclear bombing of Japan during the Second World War. The then president V.V. Giri inaugurated the Vishwa Shanti Stupa on October 25, 1969. An annual function marks the occasion every year.

“Fujii Guru ji constructed the Vishwa Shanti Stupa with the aim of bringing peace in the world. Peace and harmony across the globe could be fostered by treading the path of non-violence shown by the Buddha,” Nitish said on the occasion.

Nitish’s remarks assume significance with two major wars going on in Asia and Europe. Israel’s conflict with its neighbours and the Russia-Ukraine war are threatening world peace and economy.

The chief minister stressed the importance of Rajgir, where the Buddha spent much time preaching to his disciples and devotees. He (Nitish) pointed out that the place marked the confluence of five major religions, including Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism.

Nitish also inaugurated an integrated tourism centre near the ropeway leading to the stupa. It would help domestic and foreign tourists by providing various facilities to make their visit more comfortable.

The monks of the Rajgir Buddha Vihar Society and several others also spoke on the occasion. They bestowed several gifts on Nitish, including those sent by the Dalai Lama.