Wisdom Quarterly: American Buddhist Journal: Free Vegan Thanksgiving, Los Angeles

Thursday, November 28, 2024

Free Vegan Thanksgiving, Los Angeles

What happened?

Three uses are: save animals, people, planet.

It was a gloriously sunny Southern California day with warm temps and lots of smiles, almost like living in Mailand Hawaii if such a thing were possible. The Island of California is the real "Big Island" in the Hawaiian Archipelago. The trees, grass, and flowers were green and fragrant, overwhelmed by 100+ vegan dishes of every description: pies, cupcakes, whipped creem, salads, stews, savory herbal soups, a tofurky surrounded by comfort foods of all kinds, noodles, pasta, mac 'n cheez, mashed potatoes, gravies, desserts, exotic raw dishes, curries, cookies, fruit, fruit salads, fruit juices, sacred waters, canned beverages, a strange dip called ga-walk-a-molee, chips, salsas, picked vegetables, fig salami, seaweeds, barks, berries, mushrooms, chocolate covered Brazil nuts, wrapped grape leaves, rice dishes, red Thai curry from The Vegan Joint (the winner in the imaginary contest of best entrees), legumes, peas, nuts, lentils, beans, corn (maize), squash, tea, strudel, and all of that just a buildup to the pièce de résistance, The Love Tunnel, in addition to the open mic of music, harmonium, chants, EDM beats, massage table and chair, emotional release work, dogs galore (not a single cat), low cut blouses as if it were the Renaissance Pleasure Faire, blessings, guitar solos, poetry, protests (Elephant Matriarch Project), yoga pants, hippie gear, a gal with a lute or lyre, bongos, mystics, psychics, rishis, empaths, medical intuitives, Natives, Fae, artists of all stripes, revolutionaries, and peace activists (like the plantbasedtreaty.org people).

Hey, what is The Love Tunnel? That's where two rows of people form, facing each other. Then a person goes through with eyes closed while being loved, touched, told flattering and uplifting things (often guided by spirit, Kwan Yin Buddhist Goddess of Compassion, or the wild imaginations of loving participants). Each person through walks very slowly, receiving a special secret message of inspiration, inspired utterances of positivity. It's electrifying. It's mind-blowing. It's heart opening. It's bliss provoking. In the distance, people are dancing, socializing, chatting, eating, running with dogs, advocating to save the planet, save the animals, save the human species, save the environment, save us from samsara, or just enjoying the Cali vibes, while people are falling in love, crying with joy, and trembling with so much metta one would think a Tibetan Tara or Hindu devi were intensely sending blessings and bliss. That's The Love Tunnel. Use it.

There are so many people to meet, lots to learn

What will we all be eating for Thanksgiving Day? Vegan desserts, main courses, raw foods, gluten-free baked goods, and specialties in the largest vegan Thanksgiving in the country.

It's also Los Angeles' longest-running single day vegan tradition, the biggest vegan potluck event of the year. It has been going on for 27 years.

Wisdom Quarterly has been invited to conduct an opening ceremony of Buddhist chanting in Pali and Sanskrit as well as a Tongva/Kizh Native American urban shamanic land acknowledgement and peace meditation before the feasting.

MASSAGE BY JANELL ALEXANDER

Healing touch can open the heart, Sedona to LA

Need to relax but can't seem to destress? The answer is here on a chair or table. Sign up early under the big oak tree at the center of the picnic tables. First come, first served. The list will fill up. Add a spiritual dimension of healing energy from the laying on of hands and expert musculoskeletal manipulation and deep tissue soothing. Call in advance to make an appointment if you wish: (626) 539-1913 (ahhhmassage@gmail.com).

I love gluten-free vegan food.

Two to three hundred people and many well-behaved pets attend annually. It's a potluck, so please bring a 100% vegan dish to share. Raw food items are for specialty cooks who know how to prepare foods without destroying enzymes with heat, light, or oxidation.

There are signs for each category of dish. Gluten-free and foods free of other common allergens are also in high demand. Or pick something up from a vegan outlet like Lassen's, Sprouts, or Whole Foods.

Well-behaved dogs are welcome.

For questions about raw specialties and other general info, contact Vanessa at (818) 383-5998 or Annie at (310) 892-9617.

Come share savory and delicious vegan foods from around the world. Connect with some beautiful people and enjoy the outdoors. There will be music, meditation, a Native American land acknowledgement (to recognize that we are on stolen Tongva Tribal land), singing, live performances, and an open mic.

Hey, Dave, how's it going?

For extra comfort, bring picnic blankets, chairs, tarps. (Most of the picnic tables will be full of potluck dishes). Also feel free to bring drums, other musical instruments, frisbees or balls to toss around. It's family friendly and a great place for children.

I want to go gluten-free. What does it mean? It means something is 100% free of wheat (often labelled just as "flour" in the ingredients or durum semolina, barley, rye, OATS, spelt, kamut, or buckwheat, all of which have their forms of toxic gluten even if the label on the package says "gluten-free").

PUBLIC EVENT

We gather in a giant ring of hundreds holding hands for invocation and land acknowledgement

Sitting under tree listening to vegan author Will Tuttle explain his motive for writing

Eat all you like, there's no judgment.

It is no free to attend, and please see details below on what to bring to participate.

Park Rules: No Alcohol.

Please for each dish, bring a list of ingredients to help those who avoid certain allergens and certain foods for whatever reason.

**TO PREVENT PAPER AND PLASTIC WASTE, PLEASE BRING OWN PLATES, BOWLS, CUPS, EATING AND SERVING UTENSILS.**

WHEN

Then we eat like there's no tomorrow.

We start gathering at 11:00 am Pacific Time and have a beautiful opening ceremony right at noon. Then we begin our feast.

LOCATION

LATITUDE/LONGITUDE: 34°02'44.0"N 118°24'39.2"W.

There's an open mic for the daring.

Enter Cheviot Hills Park (aka "Rancho Park") at the north entrance on Motor Avenue (the first entrance south of Pico Blvd.) When entering the park, there is a parking area on the left.

Drive past this parking area and follow the road to the next parking area which is a few hundred feet down. Walk to the picnic tables across the grass behind the baseball field. "VEG" signs are posted to point the way.

(Be mindful. There is another picnic area at the far end of the park close to the parking lot which is not the vegan picnic area).

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

Should we be kind to animals?

Plan your trip: socaltransport.org.

The closest holiday bus stop is at Pico Blvd./Motor Ave. on the Santa Monica's Big Blue Bus Route 7.

Los Angeles Metro: metro.net.

Santa Monica Big Blue Bus: bigbluebus.com.

Culver City Bus: culvercity.org/enjoy/culver-city-bus

DISCLAIMERS

Native American Buddhist

Unless stated otherwise, organizers and participants do not assume any related legal obligations, responsibilities, or liabilities. All are expected to behave in a civil and orderly manner and adhere to any event policies.

IT'S FREE TO RSVP BELOW.

Vegan Spirituality Group, San Fernando Valley

Participation is at own risk. Indoor activities, outdoor activities, in-person social interactions, and sharing foods have some associated risks, including injuries, allergies, transmissible illnesses, and food poisoning.