Source: KoreAm Journal
http://news.ncmonline.com/news/view_article.html?article_id=1e52d3c5e65d9500a8228c9275c4564c
On May 11, 2003 the KoreAm Journal reported that "in the outskirts of Tehachapi, [first-generation Korean Americans] find a refuge in the Mountain Spirit Center, a Korean Zen Buddhist temple, which officially opened March 2. For the past nine years, resident monk Mu Ryang Sunim (sunim means monk in Korean) has been leading the construction of the temple grounds, which continues to be a work-in-progress... On March 2, close to 2,000 people - 95 percent of whom were first-generation KAs - converged in Tehachapi for the temple’s opening ceremony. Some attributed the large turnout to a book written by a Korean monk who dedicated a chapter to Mu Ryang Sunim, but another reason may have been that Mu Ryang’s understanding of the Korean culture - and his sensitivities of living as a foreigner in a distant land - comforts KAs... The temple, which currently consists of a residence hall and Buddha Hall, reminds guests of Korea. Both structures’ sloping copper roofs, wooden walls and golden Buddhas are based on three temples Mu Ryang visited in Korea. In addition, the roof tilers were hired directly from Korea."