In 1996 we purchased a new car from Kieffe Ford.  The service staff were so bad that when we purchased our next two new Fords they were from Jim Burke in Bakersfield.  I think their service department is great.  This disgusting advertising is just another reason for me not to ever go back to Kieffe in Mojave. 

Well, as I have said many times before....this isn 't about God or religion... it's all good as far as I am concerned. This is about bigotry, Thus, I will not be buying my Edge from Kieffe Ford.    I will be going to Jim Burke in Bakersfield...thanks for the info TK.

 Hey Sparks, since you have an interest in Buddhism, I thought that you might be able to answer my question. You know that gigantic cement tulip on the property parallel to the 202, is that a Buddhist symbol? I thought one day I saw a man in orange robes tending to the flags, but I'm not entirely sure....thanks lol

I've been wondering what the heck that thing was, as well.

I haven't noticed that gigantic cement tulip you are talking about...  dabnabit...lol   The tulip is the Western equivalent of the lotus  and depending on it's color it can either mean, knowledge, compassion, or purity, but mostly it represents the Buddha himself.

I'm not sure why I even know this...,my interest in Buddhism is mainly on the eightfold path...  learning compassion, knowledge, and teaching my body and soul to become more aware ...  I love to meditate and reach nothingness.  I have always been a little hyper, it's nice to be calm at times.  It's amazing how aware of myself and the world around me I am when I am calm.  

Buddhists try to reach nirvana and they believe in reincarnation...   Not me... I only follow their path which I believe to be a very healthy and loving one. There are a lot of Buddhists in Tehachapi.... kind of a quiet bunch though. They are nothing like me. lol   These people in robes won't come knocking on your door trying to get you to join a membership so that they can become large and have more control... nope. I guess they figure if you need them, you will find them.

Gigantic cement tulip? I don't think I've seen that either, but then again, I never noticed that Que Pasa was facing backwards...

Buddhism is a great way of life, but when I read no sleeping on mattresses I knew I couldn't do it! lol

I've been up to the Buddhist retreat here in Sand Canyon several times. So peaceful and spiritual. I have yet to hear the ringing of the Peace Bell though.

Ok, headed into town today...will have to look for that gigantic tulip!

Joty I hear the ringing every morning at around 4:30 am    What in the world do monks do that early in the morning?   I do like the bong, bong, bong sound of the peace bell though....very cool!  It's not so loud that you can hear it back where you live, I don't think.   Do you hear the donkeys at the rescue screaming in the morning or not?   Anyway, I like their sound as well... it's so cute.

It's big & pink - at first, it looked like an Easter egg to me. I see it everyday driving home to BVS from town.

Sparks, I saw some beautiful lotus & Buddha statues when we visited Japan last year. We even saw a bunch of little Buddhas in Kyoto with red bibs tied around their necks. Baby Buddhas! When we get together, I'll show you our pictures.

:-)

No, can't hear the bell back here. Sigh, but on real quiet clear mornings, I can hear all the asses braying for breakfast - I can hear the donkeys too...LMAO!

Still trying to figure out the giant tulip - I drive out to BVS to visit my brother, for the life of me I cannot recall seeing it! 

If it's Pink it symbolizes the Buddha.  I haven't seen it either Joty.  Have you seen the little fuschia colored signs that look like artichokes along sand canyon rd?   They are suppose to be pink tulips... the Buddhists around here can't draw worth beans and they must be colored blind.  lol  Gotta love em.

Oochild sounds wonderful!!!

They were building it back in 2007, that's when I noticed it. I thought it was like, a spaceship at first. Or maybe an irrigation device? Then a few months ago I noticed a little bald man in orange robes replacing the flags around the house, so I figured it was Buddhist-related.  

Isn't there a Buddhist monastery in Tehachapi?

The Mountain Spirit Center is a Zen Buddhist study and retreat sanctuary here in Sand Canyon.  It's been here for around 15 years. It's a peaceful retreat for Buddhists who live in the cities, and several Buddhists live there full time to study.

The big pink tulip is actually a lotus flower.  It is a Thai temple, and the flags are U.S. and thai and perhaps Buddhist.

- Suzanne Bernier