Investigation Results of the Fire Alarm Incident During the Autumn Grand Ceremony and Formal Apology from Meydenbauer Center

【Ling Shen Ching Tze Temple News】On September 5, 2026, Ling Shen Ching Tze Temple held its Autumn Grand Ceremony at Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue, Washington, with the ceremony presided in person by Grandmaster Living Buddha Lian Sheng-Yen Lu. Thousands of distinguished guests, fellow practitioners, and devotees attended in person, while tens of thousands more participated through the online livestream.

During the ceremony, the venue’s fire alarms, emergency announcements, and warning lights were unexpectedly activated twice, prompting the Bellevue Fire Department to respond on both occasions. The sudden alarms forced interruptions and caused serious disruption to the ceremony, turning what had been a solemn and peaceful religious observance into moments of tension and unease and causing considerable concern among those in attendance.

Fortunately, firefighters confirmed that there was no actual fire. To fulfill its responsibility to all participants and to help prevent a recurrence, the Board of Directors of Ling Shen Ching Tze Temple subsequently submitted a formal written complaint to Meydenbauer Center, requesting a thorough investigation into both alarm activations and a comprehensive Incident Report.

Investigation Confirms Six-Hour Automatic Timeout as Root Cause

Upon receiving the complaint, Meydenbauer Center escalated the matter to Chief Executive Officer Tim Carr, who personally oversaw the response and investigation in coordination with fire alarm system technicians and the system manufacturer.

According to the official Incident Report, theatrical haze was being used during a performance in another theater within the facility that day. The relevant smoke detection zones had therefore been placed in test/bypass mode. The bypass was properly activated at approximately 9:02 a.m. However, exactly six hours later, at 3:02 p.m., the system automatically removed itself from bypass mode due to a built-in six-hour timeout setting. This was not done manually by staff.

As a result, smoke detectors that should have remained disabled were reactivated, and the theatrical haze subsequently triggered the fire alarm. After the first alarm was addressed, the system continued to exhibit abnormal behavior, and a second alarm was activated at approximately 5:58 p.m., prompting the Bellevue Fire Department to return to the facility.

Technicians ultimately confirmed with the system manufacturer, Edwards, that the system contained a six-hour automatic timeout setting and adjusted the test window to 24 hours. Meydenbauer Center subsequently confirmed that the fire alarm panel had been reprogrammed to prevent the same issue from recurring.

Meydenbauer Center: “We Take Full Responsibility for This Failure”

Following the investigation, Meydenbauer Center provided the Board of Directors of Ling Shen Ching Tze Temple with a comprehensive Incident Report and a formal letter of apology, stating unequivocally:

“We take full responsibility for this failure.”

Meydenbauer Center also committed to having an additional Director onsite during Ling Shen Ching Tze Temple’s next program at the venue, providing additional management support and emergency-response resources.

Meydenbauer Center and Ling Shen Ching Tze Temple have maintained a working relationship for more than three decades. The Temple’s formal follow-up on this incident was undertaken out of responsibility to everyone who participated in the ceremony—to establish the cause, ensure corrective action, and safeguard the safety and solemnity of future Grand Ceremonies.

CEO and COO Issue Separate Formal Apology to Grandmaster

In addition to providing its investigation findings and formal apology to the Temple’s Board of Directors, Meydenbauer Center issued a separate formal letter of apology to Grandmaster Living Buddha Lian Sheng-Yen Lu, jointly signed by Chief Executive Officer Tim Carr and Chief Operating Officer Sara Waltemire. The letter was personally delivered to Ling Shen Ching Tze Temple by a Meydenbauer Center manager.

In the letter, Meydenbauer Center acknowledged the profound spiritual significance of the ceremony and recognized that many participants had traveled considerable distances to attend and receive Grandmaster’s blessing. The Center expressed its sincere regret that the two alarm activations disrupted such an important religious observance, particularly during the final empowerment blessing.

【Attachment】Formal Letter of Apology from Meydenbauer Center to Grandmaster

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Ling Shen Ching Tze Temple: Determining the Cause, Implementing Corrective Measures, and Ensuring Greater Peace of Mind for Future Ceremonies

Ling Shen Ching Tze Temple sincerely thanks all distinguished guests, fellow practitioners, devotees, volunteers, and staff for their understanding and cooperation during the unexpected alarms. We also thank the Bellevue Fire Department for its prompt response and confirmation of safety.

Although the disruption to the ceremony cannot be undone, the Temple’s formal follow-up has resulted in the cause being identified, corrective changes being made to the fire alarm system, and Meydenbauer Center formally accepting responsibility and apologizing to Grandmaster, the Temple’s Board of Directors, and all attendees affected by the incident.

Ling Shen Ching Tze Temple will continue to work closely with Meydenbauer Center regarding fire safety, onsite management, and emergency preparedness for future Grand Ceremonies, with the goal of providing everyone who attends with a safe, solemn, and peaceful environment for Buddhist practice and ceremonies.

We hope this information provides reassurance to everyone, and we sincerely thank you for your continued support of the Dharma activities of Ling Shen Ching Tze Temple and the True Buddha School.