San Luis Obispo County CA Archives Photo Place.....Buddhist Temple, San Luis Obispo 
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Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com November 26, 2006, 8:05 pm

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THE BUDDHIST TEMPLE

History and Description:

With the site purchased in 1961, construction started in 1962 on the new San
Luis Obispo Buddhist Temple.  It was completed in the same year.  The original
temple, dating back to 1929, was located on the Madonna Road interchange until
the freeway bought the land.  It was then dismantled and stored.  The new temple
was designed by U. C. Berkeley graduate, George Nagano of Morro Bay. Located in
the foothills between Avila Beach and Ontario Hot Springs the total site layout
was to include a motel, restaurant, and convention center surrounded by gardens.
 Although the complete layout, to be named "Monkey Bridge Inn", was never
finished past the completion of the temple, it is still planned.

The temple is a most artistic structure.  Visiting Buddhist priests from Japan
feel that it is very religious in feeling and reminds them of a Buddhist temple
in Japan with its surrounding hills and sensitive architecture.  Its most
prominent feature, the sweeping overhung roofline, is oriental in character,
however, it lacks the upward turned edges to distinguish it from contemporary
California hot-climate low-roof design.

Up close, subtle oriental ornamentation make it apparent that the two-story
structure is not a residence, but a public building.  The upper story, which is
level with the parking lot and the main entrance is constructed of natural and
stained redwood with horizontal stucco planes and shake roof.  The lower half is
concrete block construction with little detail to make it obvious that this area
is for group activities not directly related to the religious functions that are
held in the upper portion.

With the top story devoted to religious teachings and class room work and the
bottom floor which is primarily one large room for group activities, the
building functions for 30 to 40 families in the San Luis Obispo area.

Sources:
Mr. Masaji Eto, President of the Board of the Buddhist Temple
Mr. George Nagano, Architect


Additional Comments:
Extracted from

Discovering San Luis Obispo County
by
Carleton M. Winslow


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