An oasis of peace survives Palisades wildfire

Amid the devastation of the ongoing wildfire in Pacific Palisades came news of a miraculous survivor: The Self-Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine and its beloved meditation gardens. That includes the Lake Shrine World Peace Rose Garden, created by Sacramento’s best-known rose man – T.J. David.

Co-founder of the International World Peace Rose Gardens, David has planted inspirational gardens in four countries including three gardens in Sacramento. The State Capitol World Peace Rose Garden is visited by thousands every year.

David started his string of gardens in 1984 at the Lake Shrine in Pacific Palisades. He planted the garden’s first roses 41 years ago and returns regularly to supervise their care.

In fact, David personally pruned the Lake Shrine rose garden Jan. 6 – the day before the Palisades fire broke out. Only 19% contained (as of Jan. 15), that fire has now scorched more than 23,000 acres and destroyed at least 1,200 homes.

The fire almost completely surrounded the Lake Shrine’s 10-acre site, licking at its fences and outbuildings. The visitors restroom, a maintenance shed and neighboring apartments were badly damaged. But the Shrine’s main buildings, museum and gardens did not burn.

“The Lake Shrine Temple and Retreat buildings are completely undamaged,” reported the shrine’s website this week. “With regard to the meditation gardens surrounding the lake, there has been no major loss to the beautiful landscaping. One large tree was lost, but otherwise only minor damage to some small vegetation was sustained. And we can happily report that the swans and fish that live in the lake are safe as well.”

A spiritual center for the Self-Realization Fellowship, the world-famous Lake Shrine was founded by guru Paramahansa Yogananda in 1950 and ranks among Pacific Palisades’ most treasured landmarks. Its Gandhi World Peace Memorial includes an ancient sarcophagus containing a portion of Mahatma Gandhi’s ashes. Designed as part of an outdoor temple celebrating all religions, the gardens surround a picturesque lake filled with swans and koi.

All was peaceful when David started pruning last week. With breath-taking views of the Pacific Ocean, the garden is located in the shrine’s Court of Religions, honoring the major religions for peace.

“This was going to be just another normal rose pruning in early January,” David recalls. “I think all of us get thoughts or intuitive ideas at various times during a day or in life. I prune roses based on skill, intuition and inspiration of doing what’s best for each rose to help it flourish. My technique allows me to prune pretty fast or people have mentioned that I prune pretty efficiently!

“It was interesting; I kept getting this inner voice saying, ‘Get the Lake pruned in one day, not the usual 1½ days,” he adds. “So, I started extra early and (that inner voice) kept reminding me as the day went along. I got some clean-up help. Then, it was done. I think we all have intuition within each one of us that helps to guide us in life.”

His pruning definitely reduced the garden’s potential fire load; pruned roses tend not to burn.

Early the next morning, David headed back to Sacramento. While driving north, he got a call at 12:30 p.m., checking on his whereabouts. The Shrine was being evacuated.

How did the Lake Shrine survive? David explains, “The Lake Shrine has a barge they use for the lake level maintenance. Someone mounted a gas-powered water cannon on the barge. It just so happens a man along with his son and daughter were there and they have firefighting certificates. They stayed to fight the fires and protect the buildings as much as possible. With the fire embers floating all around, they were able to keep the roofs wet, etc. Firefighters also helped to protect the Lake Shrine.”

Coincidentally, two roses next to the walkway that leads to the lake are the variety Firefighter, David notes. “We planted them to honor firefighters! This lovely red rose is very fragrant, as many visitors stop by and take a sniff.”

Many people worldwide love and revere the Lake Shrine, David adds. Its survival means a lot.

“The Lake Shrine is considered to be one of the sacred sites in the world,” he notes. “I expect that thousands upon thousands were also praying it would be spared. The saving of the Lake Shrine was in my opinion a team effort! I think we are all grateful and at the same time our prayers for the greater L.A. fire areas will continue and will continue indefinitely as there is so much suffering!”