VIDEO CNN's May Lee explores the comforting touches of the Buddhist garden Windows Media 28K 80K

August 2, 1999
Web posted at: 11:51 a.m. EDT (1551 GMT)

NOTTINGHAM, England (CNN) -- Outside the bustling industrial city of Nottingham lies a Buddhist garden dedicated to peace and serenity. It was built by Buddha Maitreya, a Japanese man who came to England in the '70s to run a mediation center. The project folded, but he decided to create a place of his own, where the stresses of modern life could be forgotten.

Visitors come to his garden to surround themselves with lush green trees as well as flowers in vibrant purples, pinks and yellows. The sounds of gentle wind chimes, chirping birds and babbling brooks create a relaxing atmosphere. The first step toward achieving inner peace is getting there.

"I've been living three miles (4.8 km) away and knew it was here, but didn't come," says one Nottingham resident. "It's taken me all this time to get here. I just wish I'd found it a long time before. I think it's such a special place."

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