[4] Its traditional Burmese design is an expression of gratitude towards the country of Myanmar for preserving the practice of Vipassana.

[5][6] The center of the Global Vipassana Pagoda contains the world's largest stone dome built without any supporting pillars.

The internal diameter is 85.15 m.[7] The inside of the pagoda is hollow and serves as a very large meditation hall with an area covering more than 6000 m2 (65,000 ft2).

An inaugural one-day meditation course was held at the pagoda on 21 December 2008, with Goenka in attendance as the teacher.

[8] Planning for the construction of the Global Vipassana Pagoda began in 1997, while actual building work started in 2000.

The relics were originally found in the stupa at Bhattiprolu, Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh, South India.

[9] They have been donated by the Mahabodhi Society of India and the prime minister of Sri Lanka to be kept at the Global Vipassana Pagoda.