Getting your
Trinity Audioplayer ready...BIG SUR — A 36-year-old Mountain View woman was arrested in connection with the investigation of the March 27 fire at the Tassajara Zen Mountain Center that destroyed the zendo meditation building.
Fiona GuoGuo Lu was arrest on probable cause before formal criminal charges were filed.
She is currently incarcerated at Napa County Jail on unrelated charges and is awaiting extradition to Monterey County. Her bail is set at $130,000 and she is currently facing charges of terrorizing by destructive device, explosive, or arson, criminal threats and a felony hate crime.
Deputies at the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office say they found public online statements linking her to the fire and threatening other Buddhist Temples in California during their investigation.
Sheriff Tina Nieto stated in a press release that, “The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office remains committed to protecting every member of our community and ensuring that all people can safely practice their faith without fear of violence, intimidation, or threats. We take allegations involving crimes motivated by bias or hatred very seriously and will continue to work diligently to investigate these incidents and hold those responsible accountable under the law.”
The Tassajara Zen Mountain Center, located in the Ventana Wilderness, was founded in 1967 and is the oldest Japanese Buddhist Soto Zen monastery in the United States.
On May 14, the center announced it would be opening for its summer guest season and is still taking applications for summer visitors. The center is also taking donations for restoration of the zendo at https://www.sfzc.org/locations/tassajara.
In a blog post on the center’s website, Rev. Tenzen David Zimmerman, central abbot said, “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.”
The Sheriff’s Office has stated that the matter is still under active investigation and has encouraged anyone with information about the fire to contact contact Deputy Aly Najem or Deputy Kyle Massa at 831-755-5111.