As reported here on March 27, San Francisco Zen Center’s Tassajara Zen Mountain Center, also known as Zenshinji (Zen Heart-Mind Temple), was destroyed by fire. Via Facebook, the community reported:
“At around 11:30 pm last night, the Tassajara zendo caught fire. No one was hurt, but the zendo burned down completely. Some of the library was also destroyed. Our gratitude to everyone who worked tirelessly to contain the flames, including local firefighters who were on the scene.”
Now an investigation suggests that arson was the cause. From the SFZC blog, earlier this week:
“San Francisco Zen Center learned on Friday, May 29, that the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office has arrested and filed charges against an individual suspected of involvement with the March 26 zendo fire. This person is not a resident of Tassajara or a member of the sangha.”
The blogpost also linked to a press release from the Monterey County Sheriff’s Department, which says, in part, “Deputies with the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office began investigating this incident and they were able to locate public online statements connecting [the individual in question] to the fire and making threats of future violence directed towards Buddhist temples in California.” Instructions for contacting the MCSP with tips are included in the post.
SFZC Abbot Tenzen David Zimmerman is quoted in the blogpost: “While this is difficult news, we are sustained by our vow to uphold the Bodhisattva Way and meet the causes and conditions surrounding the zendo fire with wisdom and compassion as they become known. May the individual allegedly responsible receive the care and support they need while also being held accountable for their actions. May all beings be safe, at peace, and free of suffering.”
Tassajara was founded in 1967 by Shunryu Suzuki Roshi.
We at Lion’s Roar share our sympathies with the SFZC community about the loss and damage to this truly important and historic property.
Follow SFZC online for updates.Read “Suzuki-roshi at Tassajara,” a piece in which the late David Chadwick describes the early days of Tassajara Zen Mountain Center and the ways in which its founder Suzuki Roshi related to the American mind.
