Mumbai diaries – Nipponzan Myohoji

Tripoto
Photo of Mumbai diaries – Nipponzan Myohoji 1/2 by Sneha Reddy
Photo of Mumbai diaries – Nipponzan Myohoji 2/2 by Sneha Reddy

One day, I was very happy because both my friends passed the exams and the auto strike didn't really stop me from going to Lower Parel. While walking towards the station, I pondered over all the times I've gone to the temple and why. I went there when I'm sad, when I'm happy, when I'm thankful and also when I just want to sit somewhere peaceful. 

When I was writing the post "What's your travel story?", I've decided to talk to the temple caretaker who smiles every time I visit the temple. So I went ahead and said Namaste uncle, Could you please tell me about the temple? (I can talk manageable Hindi). And we spoke for an hour about the temple, Babasaheb Ambedkar who also believed in Buddhism and Savitribai Jyothirao Phule (first Indian women teacher). I realized everyone has something to enlighten you. You just have to make sure you listen to them and not just pretend to. 

When you do visit, do say hello and have a quick chit chat. He won't disappoint you :)

From 6 a.m to 7 a.m and 5.30 p.m to 7.30 p.m, the "Daimoku Mantra" is chanted. If you want a peaceful time, go around 4 and stay to see the prayer around 5.30.

Google maps ditched me the first time, so get down at Lower Parel station and take an auto to Poddar Hospital, Worli Naka. The temple is located right opposite to the hospital.

Cheers!

This lord Buddha temple is an initiative towards a peaceful well being, that should be the principal of human survival in this scientific modern civilization. Today, the resident japanese monk "Bikshu morita" who was sent to India by his guruji in 1976 has been taking care of the temple for nearly 36 years and spreading the message of peace through buddha teaching, that there is no religion higher than humanity and brotherhood.