Garden Grove, Buddhist Monk Go Eye-to-Eye

Nine years ago, the Venerable Thich Phap-Chau left Vietnam for the greater religious freedom in the United States. Now, as leader of one of the largest Vietnamese Buddhist congregations in Orange County, the monk has become embroiled in a dispute with Garden Grove city officials that may land him in jail.

The ongoing conflict concerns Chua Viet Nam, a monastery/temple that Phap-Chau opened six years ago in a run-down two-bedroom home surrounded by weeds on a one-acre lot at 12292 Magnolia Ave. in Garden Grove.

Complaints From Neighbors

While several other churches operate along the busy thoroughfare, neighbors have complained to city officials about dust and noise resulting from people who park on the dirt areas of Phap-Chau’s lot on Sundays, according to Janet Solow, Garden Grove’s code enforcement supervisor.

One neighbor, Eileen Schwarzenberger, said she felt she had no right to complain because she lives on a busy, public street. But she added that Phap-Chau’s “lot is not as big as his following,” and many cars that do not fit on the lot or on Magnolia Avenue spill onto side streets. Phap-Chau said 30 to 40 people usually attend Sunday afternoon services.

Solow said city officials had “numerous contacts” in person and in writing, explaining to the monk that his home was classified for residential use and could not be used for large gatherings of people who regularly attend services. Moreover, an inspection uncovered numerous building and fire code deficiencies including unpermitted bedrooms, bathrooms, a patio and improper electrical wiring,” she said.

Posts Signs, Notice

Partly complying, the monk installed a fire extinguisher, exit signs and a notice on the patio door--which reads, “This door must remain unlocked during business hours”--next to the candle-lit altar with golden statues haloed in neon.

But Phap-Chau, whose English is limited, continued to operate the temple, which he said serves 2,000 families. “I cannot stop them come here,” he explained.

The monk, who said he is raising funds to build a proper temple on the lot, contends that he doesn’t have the funds to comply with the city’s requirements. Moreover, moving to a temporary location would be like abandoning holy ground, he said.

Sandaled and smiling, Phap-Chau tried to explain the situation in an interview in his office, which is next to the worship center where pictures of members’ relatives hang on the wall above offerings of fruit and flowers.

Also on the walls are photos of First Lady Barbara Bush and Gov. George Deukmejian standing with Phap-Chau, who is president of the Vietnamese American Buddhist Assn. of Orange County, and is known by acquaintances as being “very nice” and “very religious.”

He showed a letter from Rep. Robert K. Dornan (R-Garden Grove) congratulating him on Buddha’s 2,533rd birthday this month.

Phap-Chau pulled out maps and drawings of a $1-million temple he plans to build in a year or so at the rear of the one-acre lot. He said he has raised $200,000 toward the new temple, which presumably would be the largest Vietnamese Buddhist temple in Orange County. Members have pledged $100,000, he said.

‘I Will Build’

Because he intends to build a new temple, Phap-Chau said he thinks city officials should be patient with him. “I do not lie. I am a Buddhist monk. I will build.”

While city officials believe Phap-Chau understands the laws, the monk said he was confused. “This year, they talk one way. Next year, they talk another way,” he said. “They make it difficult for me.”

In February, on the first Sunday after the Vietnamese New Year, a city official gave Phap-Chau a misdemeanor citation after one particularly holy service. Phap-Chau said congregation members were surprised to see the citation given, and some were angry and felt it was a bad omen for the entire year.

But Solow said the citation, which was not the first issued to the monk, was issued during regular weekend rounds and that the code enforcement officer waited until the religious service was over.

In two citations, the city has charged the monk with improper land use and city code violations, misdemeanors that carry a maximum sentence of $500 or six months in jail.

Trial Set for July 12

Phap-Chau has pleaded not guilty and the case, continued three times, is scheduled for trial July 12.

“If he’d make the improvements, it would all go away. It’s purely a safety issue as far as we’re concerned,” said J. Dan Lilley, deputy city attorney. “We won’t give up until the corrections are made.”

Garden Grove city planners have approved Phap-Chau’s site plan, but won’t issue a building permit until Phap-Chau improves or tears down the house, or moves.

Phap-Chau explained that moving the temple even temporarily would disturb the holy nature of the temple, where ancestors are worshipped.

Others say the bottom line is money.

“It’s a Catch-22,” said his attorney, Tim Ryan of Huntington Beach, who has taken on the case at no charge. “To fix the house would take money away from building the temple.

“What he doesn’t want to do is lose parishioners. If he had to move the temple, he might lose parishioners and he might lose money.” Congregation members give contributions when the monk prays for dead spirits.

‘Gathering Area’

Once built, the new temple will be a “real central gathering area for a lot of Vietnamese Buddhists in area. I think he’ll be a great leader for them.” In the meantime, Ryan is urging Phap-Chau to comply with the city’s orders.

“I gave him strict directions: He has to get out and vacate the premises. The city will not issue the permit to build the temple until the improvements are made.”

According to Ryan, who communicates with the monk through interpreters, Phap-Chau simply has not understood that the city means business. Each time the case has been continued, “He thinks he’s gotten a major victory.”

If the monk is served with a temporary restraining order, a notice to vacate, or other official documents, something the attorney said is likely before the trial date, Ryan predicted that the monk will “realize they mean business.”

Ryan, who said he thought he had persuaded Phap-Chau to comply, expressed surprise to hear that the monk was still resisting.

“I can predict with 100% certainty the city will take much more aggressive action over this whole matter,” Ryan said.

Times staff member Thuha Tran contributed to this story.