{"id":81329,"date":"2023-12-18T23:43:35","date_gmt":"2023-12-19T07:43:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cabuddhists.org\/en\/?p=81329"},"modified":"2025-12-12T23:54:55","modified_gmt":"2025-12-13T07:54:55","slug":"buddhist-town-newsletter-dec-2023","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cabuddhists.org\/en\/buddhist-town-newsletter-dec-2023\/news\/buddhist-town-newsletter\/","title":{"rendered":"Buddhist Town Newsletter &#8211; Dec 2023"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"81329\" class=\"elementor elementor-81329\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fa54633 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"fa54633\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4d16000 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"4d16000\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Buddhist Town Newsletter - Dec 2023\n<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-744fdc3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"744fdc3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Reposted from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.buddhisttown.com\/newsletter-dec-2023\">Buddhist Town<\/a> December 18, 2023<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-37feebc e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"37feebc\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-957d904 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"957d904\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Respected Buddhist Town Property Owners, Members, and Friends, Greetings to all!<\/p><p><strong>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Holy Heavenly Lake 2023 Recap and 2024 Outlook<\/strong><\/p><p>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 As we bid farewell to the busy month of December, we are also about to part with the year 2023. Let&#8217;s take a moment to review the activities of the past year and look forward to the coming year.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-df3fbce e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"df3fbce\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ac430a8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"ac430a8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"711\" src=\"https:\/\/cabuddhists.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Newsletter-Dec-2023-.webp\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-81339\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cabuddhists.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Newsletter-Dec-2023-.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cabuddhists.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Newsletter-Dec-2023--1024x607.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cabuddhists.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Newsletter-Dec-2023--768x455.webp 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cb7d98c e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"cb7d98c\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d6b3c87 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"d6b3c87\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">1. Construction Work\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c3c7f38 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c3c7f38\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, 'Noto Sans', sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji';\">\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 At the beginning of this year, the Phase One of land subdivision and transfer was completed, and the designs for over 20 buildings on Phase One\u2019s four parcels were submitted for City approval. Given the large scale and unique nature of this project, the city government has been particularly conservative and cautious, especially concerned about the opinions of neighboring residents. It might be unfamiliar to some, but every detail and any technical implementation during the project&#8217;s progress require continuous negotiation with various government departments to obtain one approval after another. This process is not as straightforward as project approval leading to immediate construction, especially in California, known for its stringent regulations. Although many wish for the commencement of the second phase, we must carefully navigate through the government&#8217;s detailed requirements, including widening Lemon St., responding to land acquisition requests for neighboring properties, additional levee construction along the Mojave River, and designing municipal engineering for wastewater treatment and discharge. These major aspects are currently under more detailed studies and evaluations as we negotiate for favorable solutions. For example, the Brightline high-speed rail project between Los Angeles and Las Vegas, already underway, will bring positive impacts and business opportunities to us. We will provide electric shuttle minibuses between the high-speed rail station and Buddhist Town to take care of visitors coming from the HSR. However, we still need to provide parking for visitors arriving by conventional transportation modes. The negotiation process is complex and dynamic. But we remain open-minded and optimistic that the undeterred visions for Buddhist Town will continue to move forward, and we will strive to start construction of Zhengxing Garden and True Dharma Temple as soon as possible!<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7f9a228 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"7f9a228\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-237b163 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"237b163\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"554\" src=\"https:\/\/cabuddhists.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Newsletter-Dec-2023-1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-81336\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cabuddhists.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Newsletter-Dec-2023-1.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/cabuddhists.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Newsletter-Dec-2023-1-1024x473.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cabuddhists.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Newsletter-Dec-2023-1-768x355.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c4c925b elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"c4c925b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"591\" src=\"https:\/\/cabuddhists.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Newsletter-Dec-2023-2.webp\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-81337\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cabuddhists.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Newsletter-Dec-2023-2.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cabuddhists.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Newsletter-Dec-2023-2-1024x504.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cabuddhists.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Newsletter-Dec-2023-2-768x378.webp 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7d01a1a elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"7d01a1a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"648\" src=\"https:\/\/cabuddhists.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Newsletter-Dec-2023-3.webp\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-81338\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cabuddhists.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Newsletter-Dec-2023-3.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cabuddhists.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Newsletter-Dec-2023-3-1024x553.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cabuddhists.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Newsletter-Dec-2023-3-768x415.webp 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c08fcad e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"c08fcad\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f147b13 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"f147b13\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">2. Holy Heavenly Lake On-Site Activities\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-18b9d63 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"18b9d63\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8cdd813 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"8cdd813\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"1471607380\" class=\"dmNewParagraph\" data-element-type=\"paragraph\" data-version=\"5\"><div id=\"1749641084\" class=\"dmNewParagraph\" data-element-type=\"paragraph\" data-version=\"5\"><div id=\"1722522144\" class=\"dmNewParagraph\" data-element-type=\"paragraph\" data-version=\"5\"><p>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 This year, we hosted seven events, including planting and maintaining trees and water plants; establishing the HHL Wiser Ball Team; organizing the world Wiser Friendship Invitational Tournament and Bazaar Gala in July; and inviting neighbors to a Thanksgiving gathering in November, where we released lotus water lanterns and had joyful interactions with neighbors! This marked our first formal invitation to the community, with informational sessions and discussions with neighboring residents, giving them the opportunity to get to know us. Both times we released wish-fulfilling lanterns this year we deeply felt that when we sincerely prayed together, everyone\u2014Buddhist or not\u2014was filled with joy and peace. Therefore, in 2024, we will continue the wish-fulfilling water lantern release activity, aiming to establish it as a traditional event at Holy Heavenly Lake. On Buddha&#8217;s birthday in June, as usual, in conjunction with the Dharma assembly, we will invite everyone for a reunion in HHL. This year, for the first time, we will invite international teams to participate in planning and providing activities. On the community front, we will further expand charitable activities. We hope that little by little out efforts in the coming year will help plant the vision of Buddhist Town in everyone&#8217;s hearts.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6e97679 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"6e97679\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cd2d563 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"cd2d563\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">3. Buddhist Town Operation Planning\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a3f09b6 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"a3f09b6\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b54386f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b54386f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"1471232539\" class=\"dmRespRow u_1471232539 blog-post-row\"><div id=\"1292474755\" class=\"dmRespColsWrapper\"><div id=\"1668470589\" class=\"dmRespCol large-12 medium-12 small-12 u_1668470589\"><div id=\"1722522144\" class=\"dmNewParagraph\" data-element-type=\"paragraph\" data-version=\"5\"><div id=\"1471232539\" class=\"dmRespRow u_1471232539 blog-post-row\"><div id=\"1292474755\" class=\"dmRespColsWrapper\"><div id=\"1668470589\" class=\"dmRespCol large-12 medium-12 small-12 u_1668470589\"><div id=\"1561406036\" class=\"dmNewParagraph\" data-element-type=\"paragraph\" data-version=\"5\"><p>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 In November of this year, we comprehensively updated the Buddhist Town website, adding new content in both Chinese and English, facilitating the connection among fellow Buddhists and the general public worldwide. A Youth Group is coming together to enhance the participation and engagement of young people around the world! The &#8220;Buddhist Town Community Association&#8221; has been established and it will enable more volunteers to participate in Buddhist Town activities and engage in operational development, including expanding online platforms, promoting learning experiences, and enhancing community services. Buddhist Town welcomes everyone with open arms! We will adhere to the practice of the Four Unlimited States of Mind and the Six Paramitas, aiming to benefit all sentient beings and continuously striving for the sustainable development of Buddhist Town!<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4cf36ee e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"4cf36ee\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-08bc353 elementor-post-navigation-borders-yes elementor-widget elementor-widget-post-navigation\" data-id=\"08bc353\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"post-navigation.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post-navigation\" role=\"navigation\" aria-label=\"Post Navigation\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post-navigation__prev elementor-post-navigation__link\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/cabuddhists.org\/en\/buddhist-town-newsletter-nov-2023\/news\/buddhist-town-newsletter\/\" rel=\"prev\"><span class=\"post-navigation__arrow-wrapper post-navigation__arrow-prev\"><i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-angle-left\"><\/i><span class=\"elementor-screen-only\">Prev<\/span><\/span><span class=\"elementor-post-navigation__link__prev\"><span class=\"post-navigation__prev--label\">Previous<\/span><span class=\"post-navigation__prev--title\">Buddhist Town Newsletter &#8211; Nov 2023<\/span><\/span><\/a>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post-navigation__separator-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post-navigation__separator\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post-navigation__next elementor-post-navigation__link\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/cabuddhists.org\/en\/buddhist-town-newsletter-feb-2024\/news\/buddhist-town-newsletter\/\" rel=\"next\"><span class=\"elementor-post-navigation__link__next\"><span class=\"post-navigation__next--label\">Next<\/span><span class=\"post-navigation__next--title\">Buddhist Town Newsletter &#8211; Feb 2024<\/span><\/span><span class=\"post-navigation__arrow-wrapper post-navigation__arrow-next\"><i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-angle-right\"><\/i><span class=\"elementor-screen-only\">Next<\/span><\/span><\/a>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As we bid farewell to the busy month of December, we are also about to part with the year 2023. Let&#8217;s take a moment to review the activities of the past year and look forward to the coming year&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":81339,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[645],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-81329","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-buddhist-town-newsletter"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cabuddhists.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/81329","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cabuddhists.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cabuddhists.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cabuddhists.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cabuddhists.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=81329"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/cabuddhists.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/81329\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":81342,"href":"https:\/\/cabuddhists.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/81329\/revisions\/81342"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cabuddhists.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/81339"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cabuddhists.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=81329"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cabuddhists.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=81329"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cabuddhists.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=81329"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}