In addition to plumbing, the monks also work during Seikan at jobs for cabin owners, such as minor repairs and yardwork. And, as mentioned earlier, the monks are a key part of the annual Mount Baldy Fire Department Steak Fry. The acceptance they are given, not to mention the steak and beer, speaks volumes for their relationship to the Mount Baldy community. In the larger Los Angeles community, in addition to begging, MBZC also offers its facilities for rent to groups during Seikan. The monks cook for the groups, which may take over most of the buildings.
Some groups return year after year.
Groups who come include dance troupes, AA retreats, martial arts classes, yoga classes, a Ba'hai group, and various church groups. The money earned from such groups is necessary for MBZC to keep its buildings maintained. Other contact with the wider community comes when the monks are asked to speak to various groups about their faith. They speak annually at Claremont High School and Rancho Palos Verdes High School. They also make themselves available to Claremont Colleges students who are interested in researching Zen.