Buddhist Monastery Goes Solar

Sept. 25, 2007 - PRLog -- Escondido, CA,  – Venerable Thich Nhat Hanh, nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and one of the world’s foremost spiritual teachers, announced that Deer Park Monastery is converting to 100% solar power.  The monastery, established in 2000 by Thich Nhat Hanh, is open to visitors year round who come to learn the art of mindful living.  Mindfulness practice wakens us to the present moment where we can touch life deeply in and around us.

“Everyone of us can do something to protect and care for our planet,” says Thich Nhat Hanh whose new book, “Art of Power,” has just been released and is already on the New York Times bestsellers list.  “We have to live in such a way that a future will be possible for our children and our grandchildren. Our own life has to be our message.”

The 66-kilowatt photovoltaic solar panel system will be installed this October preventing 120 tons of CO2 emissions each year. The project is eligible for a $182,000 rebate from the Government of California leaving a further $350,000 to be raised.  All donations are gratefully received by the monastery. You can donate online at www.deerparkmonastery.org, post a check payable to ‘Deer Park Monastery’ (marked “Solar Project”) or telephone (see contacts above).

Other ecological initiatives at the monastery include a “Car Free Day” every Tuesday, conversion of cars to run on waste vegetable oil, replacement of all lighting with energy efficient ones.  The monastery observed World Car Free Day on September 22nd raising pledges from people world-wide on www.carfreedays.org.  Approximately 45,000 regular car free days have been pledged.

Thich Nhat Hanh will also lead a peace walk and give a public talk this Saturday, September 29th.  Everyone is warmly invited to join the walk entitled “Peace is Every Step” beginning at 9:30 a.m. in MacArthur Park.  The walk is not a “peace demonstration” but an actual experience of peace in ourselves and our community.  People are asked not to bring banners.  Over 3,000 people attended the Zen Master’s last Los Angeles peace walk in 2005.  

The public talk is at 7:00 p.m. at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium.  Tickets for the talk are available from Pasadena Civic Auditorium Box Office or Ticketmaster.  For more information visit www.deerparkmonastery.org, www.esangha.squarespace.com or call 1-800-331-2621.

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Deer Park Monastery, established in 2000 by Thich Nhat Hanh, is open to visitors year round who come to learn the art of mindful living.  Mindfulness practice wakens us to the present moment where we can touch life deeply in and around us.

Website: www.deerparkmonastery.org