Mountain View Woman Arrested in Arson at Tassajara Zen Mountain Center

BIG SUR — A 36-year-old Mountain View woman has been arrested in connection with the March 27 fire that destroyed the zendo meditation building at the Tassajara Zen Mountain Center. Fiona GuoGuo Lu was taken into custody 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 faces charges of terrorizing by destructive device, explosive, or arson, criminal threats, and a felony hate crime.

Deputies at the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office said they discovered public online statements linking Lu to the fire and threatening other Buddhist temples in California during their investigation. Sheriff Tina Nieto stated in a press release, “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 open for its summer guest season and is still accepting applications for summer visitors.

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 stated that the matter remains under active investigation and encouraged anyone with information about the fire to contact Deputy Aly Najem or Deputy Kyle Massa at 831-755-5111.