Clear Mountain Monastery Project
Dharma talks from monastics at Clear Mountain, an aspiring Buddhist Forest monastery in the greater Seattle area. The Forest Tradition represents a return to the simple way of life taught by the Buddha. Monastics aspire to live as the early disciples did: dwelling in the forest, studying the teachings, and devoting themselves to meditation. To learn more, visit https://wwww.clearmountainmonastery.org.
Buddhist Emotional Intelligence: Thirty-Six Moods to Choose From! | Ajahn Kovilo
In this session, Ajahn Kovilo speaks to the Buddha's teaching of 36 kinds of feelings (vedanā) as alluded to in "The Many Kinds of Feelings Sutta" (MN 59 - https://suttacentral.net/mn59/en/sujato?lang=en) and elaborated upon in "The Analysis of the Six-Sense Fields" (MN 137 - https://suttacentral.net/mn137/en/sujato?lang=en). Ajahn Kovilo summarizes these feelings down to three pairs ... with illustrations:
1. Householder/Carceral Joy (Gehasita Somanassa) & Renunciate/Liberative Joy (Nekkhammasita Somanassa);
2. Householder/Carceral Grief (Gehasita Domanassa) & Renunciate/Liberative Grief (Nekkhammasita Domanassa);
3. Householder/Carceral Equanimity (Gehasita U...
After the Laundry the Ecstasy: Ajahn Chah, Enlightenment, & a Dhammic Life’s Legacy | Jack Kornfield
This is PART ONE of Clear Mountain's interview with Jack Kornfield. PART TWO is scheduled to air March 4th: https://youtu.be/Bi7XYeCVOrY
00:00:00 - Introduction
00:01:29 - How many times did you ordain, and what were those circumstances?
00:05:39 - Jack asks the Ajahns about Clear Mountain
00:08:05 - What's the purpose of this podcast?
00:09:84 - Is Enlightenment a permanent end to greed, anger, and delusion, or is it temporary?
00:23:38 - Is Enlightenment unshakable?
00:25:34 - What changes have been made...
Stop Generating: Samādhi as Reinforcement Learning & an Open-Weights Model of Joy | Ajahn Nisabho
In this talk, Ajahn Nisabho describes how the Buddha's Discourse on Mindfulness of Breathing (MN 118 - Ānāpānassatisutta - https://suttacentral.net/mn118/en/bodhi?lang=en&reference=none&highlight=false) can help provide us wiht a roadmap for how the mind can sublimate into increasingly refined states of samādhi, or meditative calm. Just as machine learning uses self-play to attain mastery over domains, our approach to meditation can be one of playfulness as we pit the Enlightenment Factors agains the 5 Hindrances.
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Tune in with fellow practitioners for...
From Esquire CEO to Dancing With Life: From Long Poor Saṃsāra to Luang Por Sumedho | Phillip Moffitt
In this session, Ajahn Kovilo and Ajahn Nisabho interview Phillip Moffitt, founder of Dharma Wisdom (https://dharmawisdom.org/), Life Balance Institute (https://dharmawisdom.org/signup-for-weekly-teachings/.
Biography of Phillip Moffitt:
Phillip Moffitt is a longtime Buddhist meditation teacher and writer whose work is rooted in the Theravada tradition. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, he has spent more than 25 years offering teachings and guidance to students and served as co-guiding teacher at Spirit Rock Meditation Center from 2010 to 2018. His own path has been shaped by his primary teachers—the Venerable Lu...
Happy All-entine’s Day! The Who-, What- & Where-Methods of Loving-Kindness Meditation | Ajahn Kovilo
In this Valentine's Day session, Ajahn Kovilo speaks about the Metta Sutta (https://suttacentral.net/kp9/en/amaravati?lang=en), detailing three methods for practice:
1) the Who-Method - focusing on who on spreads metta to,
2) the What-Method - attending to what phrase or words one uses to practice metta, &
3) the Where-Method - noticing from where and to where one radiates of feels metta.
Tune in with fellow practitioners for Clear Mountain’s weekly online and hybrid events!
- Wednesday Evening Teaching & Di...
Dhamma Political Strategy: Preceptocracy, Authenticity, & a Pony of Love for Everyone | Ayya Sobhanā
In this session, Ajahn Kovilo and Ajahn Nisabho interview Ayya Sobhanā, former vice-abbot of Dhammadharini Monastery and current abbot of Empty Cloud Monastery.
Biography of Ayya Sobhana:
Ayya Sobhana is a Harvard graduate and trained with master Dhamma and meditation teacher Venerable Dr. Henepola Gunaratana Nāyaka Mahāthero (known as "Bhante G") since 1989. She “went forth” into monastic life as a Sāmanerī in 2003 at the Bhavana Society of West Virginia with Bhante Gunaratana as her teacher, and obtained full Bhikkhuni ordination at Dambulla, Sri Lanka in 2006, with the Most Vene...
The Choice Architecture of Refuge: From Sitting to Reading to Feeling to Faith | Ajahn Kovilo
In this talk given on New Year's Eve 2025, Ajahn Kovilo speaks about finding a healthy and mature relationship to taking refuge in the Buddha, the Dhamma, and the Saṅgha; further discussing the Eight Streams of Merit discussed in Anguttara Nikāya 8.39 (https://suttacentral.net/an8.39/en/sujato?lang=en) that are "overflowing merit, overflowing goodness, [that] nurture happiness and are conducive to heaven, ripening in happiness and leading to heaven, [that] lead to what is likable, desirable, agreeable, to welfare and happiness" namely:
1) taking refuge in the Buddha
2) taking refuge in the Dha...
6,000 Meals – Just One Bowl: Full-Contact Lessons From Monastic Eating (4 Nutriments) | Ajahn Kovilo
In this session, Ajahn Kovilo speaks a bit about the Buddhist monastic alms bowl and the four times of nutriment/food (āhārā) spoken of by the Buddha:
1) physical food
2) contact
3) intention
4) consciousness
Tune in with fellow practitioners for Clear Mountain’s weekly online and hybrid events!
- Wednesday Evening Teaching & Discussion (6:00 – 7:30 pm PT, YouTube then Zoom)
- Saturday Morning Meditation, Teaching, & Coffee Social (9:30 - 11 am PT, Online & In-Person)
- Sunday Evening “Mission M...
Decoding the Matrix Through Dependent Origination: Life Lessons from Bhante G | Bhante Jayasāra Q&A
In this session, Ajahn Kovilo and Ajahn Nisabho interview Bhante Jayasāra on the subjects of convert Buddhism, rebirth, the "Burden", Maggasekha Discord server, Dhammapalooza, the connection between metta and anicca, and life with Bhante G at Bhavana Society.
For more information on Bhante J visit: https://maggasekha.org/
or https://www.youtube.com/@Maggasekha
Biography of Bhante Jayasāra:
Bhikkhu Jayasara, or "Bhante J" for short, was ordained in 2016 at the age of 38 by Bhante Gunaratana of Bhavana Society. Bhante shares the Dhamma an...
Q&A: Final Death Moment & Rebirth, the Nature of Citta, &... Cats vs. Dogs? | Ajahn Nisabho
You can find the guided death meditation referenced in the Q&A here: https://www.youtube.com/live/tTAidK4aK9U?si=kwEvgYTE8u1Ct0KV&t=1310
In this Q&A session, Ajahn Nisabho answers question regarding the effect of the final moment before death on rebirth, Buddhist last sacraments, the nature of the citta, the relationship of metta and emptiness, and more!
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Tune in with fellow practitioners for Clear Mountain’s weekly online and hybrid events!
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Ask a Monastic! Is Grief Buddhist, Facing Boredom, & Escaping Desert Islands? | CMM & Bhante Rāhula
In this session, Ajahn Nisabho and Bhante Rahula, joining from Paññābhūmi Monastery in Guadalajara, Mexico (https://www.bhanterahula.com/), answer a wealth of questions, including if grief is a Buddhist emotion, how to use self-acceptance to counteract aversion, and how to deal with boredom.
Bhante Rāhula Bio
Bhante Rāhula was born in Mexico. Originally a musician and composer by profession, he lived the last 20 years in Asia where he immersed himself in the study and practice of the Dhamma. He was ordained in Myanmar with the Most V...
A Paradise Built in Hell: Upekkhā & the Buddhist Response to Political Panic | Ajahn Nisabho
In this talk, Ajahh Nisabho speaks to how we can approach the political upheavals of the modern world with loving-kindness.
Tune in with fellow practitioners for Clear Mountain’s weekly online and hybrid events!
- Wednesday Evening Teaching & Discussion (6:00 – 7:30 pm PT, YouTube then Zoom)
- Saturday Morning Meditation, Teaching, & Coffee Social (9:30 - 11 am PT, Online & In-Person)
- Sunday Evening “Mission Majjhima!” Sutta Teaching & Discussion (5:00 - 6 pm PT, Online)
See https://www.clearmountainmonastery.org/ or visit https...
Brokenhearted Awe: G.R.A.C.E Blown Wide Open & Empathy at the Edge | Roshi Joan Halifax
In this interview, Ajahn Kovilo and Ajahn Nisabho interview renowned Buddhist teacher Roshi Joan Halifax about her path to Buddhism, finding "compassion in the charnel ground" of the world, balancing compassion towards oneself and towards others, the difference between healthy and unhealthy empathy, and many other subjects. It was a joy! To learn more, visit https://www.joanhalifax.org/ and https://www.upaya.org/
Chapters
00:00 - Introduction
01:30 - What moments of faith led you to Buddhism?
12:35 - Tell us about finding compassion in a...
1 Month Gone, 2 Left! Elk Trails, a Flood of Generosity, & What the Heck is Due Diligence?
https://www.friendsofclearmountain.org/land/
We found land! These video updates serve to keep Clear Mountain's wider community informed about the ongoing process of Due Diligence—a 3 month period, ending March 22, 2026, where where we assess if the land is suitable for a monastery and the community gathers in support. Please feel free to dedicate the goodness of your practice towards the realization of this dream; a refuge for all sentient beings! You may add to our "Recitations of Refuge" page at https://www.clearmountainmonastery.org/recitations-of-refuge/ and learn more about the land at ht...
”Why We’re Not a Cult” Or ”Going Forth” From Consumerism, Egoism, and Other Bad -Isms | Ajahn Kovilo
In this session, Ajahn Kovilo speaks about the "Ten Subjects For Frequent Recollection" (AN 10.48 - Amaravati Chanting book page 57 - https://suttacentral.net/an10.48/en/sujato?lang=en AND https://cdn.amaravati.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/30/Chanting-Book-Vol-1-Web.pdf):
1) ‘I am no longer living according to worldly aims and values.’
2) ‘My very life is sustained through the gifts of others.’
3) ‘I should strive to abandon my former habits.’
4) ‘Does regret over my conduct arise in my mind?’
5) ‘Could my spiritual companions find fault with my conduct?’
10,000 Joys & 10,000 Sorrows: DEAD Serious Practice to Abundant Enoughness | James Baraz Q&A
In this session, Ajahn Kovilo and Ajahn Nisabho interview James Baraz about his extensive meditation experience, his passion for climate and engagement, and his teachings on awakening joy in the face of difficulty. To learn more about James' work, and upcoming "Awakening Joy" course, visit https://www.awakeningjoy.info/.
Biography of James Baraz:
James Baraz has been a meditation teacher since 1978 and is a founding teacher of Spirit Rock Meditation Center. James started the Community Dharma Leader program, the Kalyana Mitta Network, the Spirit Rock Family Program and helped create...
The Rebel of Suan Mokkh: Rebirth, Cancer, & the Four Truths of Dhammic Socialism | Santikaro Q&A
In this session, Ajahn Kovilo and Ajahn Nisabho interview Santikaro Upāsaka, student and translator of Ajahn Buddhadāsa Bhikkhu and international Dhamma teacher for over 35 years. In this conversation, Santikaro discusses his time living with and translating for Ajahn Buddhadāsa, the scope of saṃsāra, the reality or rebirth, Santikaro's experiences with cancer (twice!), the importance of people of integrity (sappurisa), approaches to mindfulness of breathing, socially engaged Buddhism, "The Four Noble Truths of Dhammic Socialism", and more!
For more information about Santikaro, visit: https://www.kevalaretreat.org/.
Sant...
A Nightmare, A Butterfly, & the Disbanding That Reveals Nibbāna | Willa Thāniya & Eliza Day
In this session, Ajahn Kovilo and Ajahn Nisabho interview Willa Thaniya and Eliza Day about their key moments of faith which guided them to the path, using Dhamma to deal with heartbreak and loss, stories of devas and the supernatural, the Dhamma of Gestalt therapy, and more. To learn more, visit https://kihikihi-meditation-yoga.org/ .
Bio
Both Willa Thāniyā Reid and Elizabeth Day were trained in the monastic lineage of the Thai Forest Tradition, in which teachers offer Dhamma reflections in response to the present moment (_the ‘here and now’ Dhamma...
Smaller Vehicle? We have TEN Perfections! The New Year in Ten Pāramis | Ajahn Kovilo & Ajahn Nisabho
In this talk, Ajahn Kovilo and Ajahn Nisabho describe the 10 pāramis, or spiritual perfections, as priorities for the New Year. In these qualities, we find a rich language to describe the growth of heart daily practice brings..
The Pāramī include:
1) Generosity — Dāna;
2) Morality — Sīla;
3) Renunciation — Nekkhamma;
4) Discernment or Wisdom – Paññā
5) Energy —Viriya;
6) Patience — Khanti;
7) Truthfulness — Sacca;
8) Resolve — Adhiṭṭhāna;
9) Kindness — Mettā;
10) Equanimity — Upe...
Luminous Lowliness: Eight Tibetan Mind Trainings to Short-Circuit the Self | Ajahn Nisabho
In this talk, Ajahn Nisabho speaks about using the traditional eight Tibetan Mind Training verses (https://www.lotsawahouse.org/tibetan-masters/geshe-langri-thangpa/eight-verses-training-mind) to relinquish the self and find the deeper peace of humility.
Eight Verses of Training the Mind
by Geshe Langri Thangpa
1. By thinking of all sentient beings
As more precious than a wish-fulfilling jewel
For accomplishing the highest aim,
I will always hold them dear.
2. Whenever I’m...
Theravāda Tag Team: No Self Left Standing! | Doug Smith & Jon Aaron Roundtable
In this roundtable discussion, Ajahn Kovilo and Nisabho speak with Doug Smith (of Doug's Dharma YouTube channel) and Jon Aaron - the cohosts of Diggin' the Dharma. The conversation touched on themes Secular Buddhism vs Traditional Buddhism, the sacred, belief in rebirth, saddhā (faith), Mundane Right View vs Transcendent Right View, attachment to views, and much more! To learn more about Diggin' the Dharma visit:
- www.digginthedharma.com
https://www.youtube.com/@DougsDharma
- https://www.jonaaron.net/
- https://www.youtube.com/@DiggintheDharma-qd7jz
What Would Land Mean? A 9-min Message from the Board Vice President & President | Friends of CM
Land Page: https://www.friendsofclearmountain.org/land/
Full Land Reveal Video: https://youtu.be/8z4kwFzSyzU
In this presentation, Kim Tull-Esterbrook, President of Friends of Clear Mountain, and Steve Wilhelm, Vice-President, speak about what a forest monastery could mean for the Pacific Northwest, and how those who are inspired can help this happen.
00:00 - Steve Wilhelm, Vice President, on the relevance of Clear Mountain
3:58 - Kim, President, on how people can contribute
7:44 - Ajahn Nisabho speaks about Clear...
2025 Year-End Review: A 38 Highest Blessings Brief - What Is Your ”Vihāra-Dhamma”? | Ajahn Kovilo
In this short session, Ajahn Kovilo introduces the concept of a "vihāra-dhamma," a tool for sustaining the heart, asking: What is your "Vihāra Dhamma"? Your way to home? Your abiding principle?
Also highlighted is the Sutta on the Highest Blessings (https://www.abhayagiri.org/reflections/131-mangala-sutta) as a wise checklist for evaluating one's 2025 and for planning into one's 2026.
The Maṅgala Sutta's 38 "Highest Blessings":
(1) Avoiding those of foolish ways
(2) Associating with the wise
(3) Honoring those worthy of honor
The Monastery Begins: A 3-Month Countdown to Potential Land! | Clear Mountain Monks & Friends Board
https://www.friendsofclearmountain.org/land/
00:00 - Beginning
2:00 - Thai Forest Tradition (Roots)
4:46 - Clear Mountain's goals
7:10 - Clear Mountain's phased plan
13:31 - Introducing Friends of Clear Mountain Board
18:35 - The story of Clear Mountain
29:00 - Searching for land
33:25 - Potential land in North Bend!
38:05 - Team, Due Diligence process, and steps going forward
45:25 - How you can help
48:10 - Fundraising goals and how...
Love Actually: Liberating the Heart Through the Brahmavihārās | Ajahn Nisabho
In this talk, Ajahn Nisabho speaks about the power of developing the four brahmavihārā (divine abodes), of mettā (loving-kindness), karuṇā (compassion), muditā (rejoicing), and upekkhā (equipoise). By constantly invoking these skillful emotions, we create a breadth of heart which can hold all beings and lead to liberation.
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Tune in with fellow practitioners for Clear Mountain’s weekly online and hybrid events!
- Wednesday Evening Teaching & Discussion (6:00 – 7:30 pm PT, YouTube then Zoom)
- Saturday Morning Meditation, Teaching, & Coffee Social (9:30 - 11 am PT, Onlin...
Pick-Ax Dhamma: Deep Mining the Four Foundations of Mindfulness | Joseph Goldstein Q&A
In this session, Ajahn Kovilo and Ajahn Nisabho interview Joseph Goldstein about his perspectives on the Four Foundations of Mindfulness as taught in the Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta (https://suttacentral.net/mn10/en/sujato?lang=en&) and elaborated upon in his book "Mindfulness: A Practical Guide to Awakening."
The conversation touches on Joseph's personal relationships with his teachers and peers Anagarika Munindra and Bhante Analayo, the meaning of "ardency" (ātāpi); the daily life practice of clear comprehension; the experience of "not clinging to anything in the world"; how to relate to "digging for the...
Sloth & Torture & Four Aspects of Clear Knowing | Ayya Suvijjānā & Ayya Niyyānika
In this talk, Ayya Suvijjana and Ayya Niyyanika speak about the 4 aspects of sati-sampajañña, or mindfulness and clear comprehension, outlined in the commentarial teachings. By considering actions in terms of purpose, suitability, domain, and non-confusion, we can see reality more clearly, and let go of ignorance. To learn more about Ayya Suvijjānā & Ayya Niyyānika, visit www.passaddhivihara.org.
Ayya Suvijjānā's Bio:
Ayyā Suvijjānā started with Zen meditation in 1976. After discovering Vipassana in 1998, she visited Abhayagiri where she became a disciple of Ajahn Amaro and Ajahn Pasa...
Sri Lanka’s Meditation Renaissance: Forest Practice & the Magic of the Mind | Ven. Chandaratana Q&A
In this session, Ajahn Kovilo and Ajahn Nisabho interview Venerable Chandaratana about Ven. Matara Srī Ñāṇārāma Maha Thero, the way of practice at Na Uyana and Nissarana Vanaya Forest Monasteries, the practice of the 4 Foundations of Mindfulness, finding joy in meditation, the benefits of memorizing Pāḷi, and more. Learn more about Ven. Chandaratana at https://www.nissarana.lk/
Ven. Chandaratana's Biography:
Venerable Panadure Chandaratana Thero ordained as a Buddhist monk at Na Uyana Forest Monastery in 2008 under the guidance of the Most Venerable Na Uyane Ariyadhamma Mahā Thero. Over the ne...
Triangulate Your Problem: Can’t Sit Quietly? Can’t Walk Boldly? Or Just Can’t Let Go? | Ajahn Kovilo
In this session, Ajahn Kovilo speaks about several Buddhist triads:
- 1) radical introversion; 2) radical extroversion; and 3) the Middle Way
- 1) interoception; 2) proprioception/kinesthesia; 3) exteroception
- 1) Buddha; 2) Dhamma; and 3) Saṅgha.d
And proposes a "Nine Breath Challenge" - taking one minute to recite the 3-fold refuge:
Breaths #1-3) "Bud-dhaṃ sara-ṇaṃ gacchā-mi." OR "To-Buddha for-peace I-return."
Breaths #4-6) "Dham-maṃ sara-ṇaṃ gacchā-mi." OR "To-Dhamma for-peace I-return."
Breaths #7-9) "Saṅ-ghaṃ sara-ṇaṃ gacchā-mi." OR "To-Saṅgha for-peace I-return."
Deathless Zen: Sati, Satori, & the Koan of Cessation | Stephen Mugen Snyder, Roshi Q&A
In this session, Ajahn Kovilo and Ajahn Nisabho interview Zen meditation teacher and founder of Awakening Dharma, Stephen Mugen Snyder, Roshi. Subjects discussed include the Pau Auk meditation system, techniques for deepening jhāna, and the concepts of Cessation, Awakening, and the Deathless across Zen and Theravāda traditions. To learn more about Mugen Roshi, visit https://awakeningdharma.org/.
Bio
Stephen Mugen Snyder, Roshi began practicing daily meditation in 1976. Since then, he has studied Buddhism extensively—investigating and engaging in Zen, Tibetan, Theravada, and Western non-dual traditions. He was authorized to te...
Bitter Truths from a “Sweet Little Nun”: The Enemy of the Self-Centered Mind | Thubten Chodron
In this session, Ven. Thubten Chodron, founder of Sravasti Abbey, visits Clear Mountain's Saturday gathering and shares insights into the self-centered mind and how not to fall for its tricks. Sharing insights from nearly 50 years in robes, she speaks about how we can learn to consider others' wellbeing as of equal importance to our own, and cultivate a heart as broad as the world. Also included: a very good story about a horse in Tibet and giving up anger!
For more information about Venerable Chodron, visit: https://thubtenchodron.org/
Thubten...
The (Buddhist) Moral Landscape & Sam’s Path to Not-Self: Drop Out, Tune In, Point Out | Sam Harris
This is PART TWO of Clear Mountain's interview with Sam Harris. Watch PART ONE here: https://youtu.be/cYamzDDJR8w?si=v5O0YrlBS0zT7g9r
00:00:07 Introduction
00:01:30 The Details of Sam's spiritual biography & the paradox of meaning?
00:19:49 Who else was on the trip with Sam to see Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche?
00:26:22 What preliminaries enabled the Dzogchen pointing out instruction to be effective?
00:49:20 The moment of pointing out? A guided meditation.
In this interview, Ajahn Kovilo and Ajahn Nisabho...
The Aṅgulimāla Method: How to Forgive a Killer, Die a Saint, & Love like a Mother | Bhante Sumitta
In this talk, Bhante Sumitta, joining Clear Mountain on a special occasion with 13 other monastics, speaks about the power of mettā, or loving-kindness, in developing the 11 benefits described by the Buddha in the Mettā Sutta (AN 11.15 - https://suttacentral.net/an11.15/en/sujato?lang=en&layout=plain&reference=none¬es=asterisk&highlight=false&script=latin). Apart from helping one feel confident in any group, the practice can help one find forgiveness, and even approach death with serenity.
Bio
Bhante Sumitta is the founder of “Dhamma USA”, a community-based charity organization to laun...
Letter to a Buddhist Nation: Rebirth, Refuge, & the Limits of Skepticism | Sam Harris Q&A
This is PART ONE of Clear Mountain's interview with Sam Harris. Watch PART TWO on Wednesday, Nov. 26th.
00:00:07 Introduction
00:01:50 Is it okay to choose what one takes from Buddhism?
00:12:25 Is Sam a Buddhist? What is Sam's relationship to faith in the Triple Gem?
00:30:03 Faith in the Sangha? Is there value in living a monastic life?
00:43:02 The advantages of monastic baldness and robes?
00:44:06 Belief in rebirth? What was Sam's past life relationship with Joseph Goldstein?
00:50:31 Does Sam know Bhante...
The Horror, the Drama, & the Dhamma: Awakening from Samsara’s Theatre | Ayya Ānandabodhī
In this talk, Ayya Ānandabodhī speaks about
Bio
Ayya Ānandabodhī was born and raised in Wales, UK. Ayya first encountered the Buddha’s teaching in her early teens while reading about the Four Noble Truths. This was life-changing and from that moment she experienced a deep confidence in the Buddha’s insight and a wish to understand his teachings more deeply. At the age of 24, Ayya began monastic training at Amaravati Buddhist Monastery in England under the guidance of Ajahn Sumedho. Seventeen years later she moved to the USA...
Hippie to Happy: A Born-Again Buddhist’s Path from Prison to Peace | Bhante Y. Rāhula Q&A
In this interview, Ajahn Kovilo and Ajahn Nisabho speak with revered Buddhist monk and longtime yogi Bhante Yogavacara Rāhula of Lion of Wisdom Meditation Center in Gaithersburg, Maryland about his wild journey from the hippie trail into Buddhist monastic life. Topics discussed include details about his early hippie days, glimpses into his book "One Night's Shelter: From Home to Homelessness", portraits of his life with Bhante G. (Gunaratana), the story of his name, his finding Buddhism through meditation, his finding yoga to support meditation, insights from stillness, his connection with Brazil and the Himalayas, and much more!
The Upāsakā Code: How to Be More Than Just a Weekend Buddhist | Ajahn Kovilo & Ajahn Nisabho
Clear Mountain Upāsakā Guide: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1GtgmYKj-XrBaqLDhTeHP32TZe4PpHkLHSajrZyrgVj8/edit?usp=sharing
In this session, Ajahn Kovilo and Ajahn Nisabho describe the Upāsakā lay Buddhist form in 13 (optional but awesome) moves:
Introduction to the Upāsaka form
(1) Take Refuge in the Buddha, the Dhamma, and the Sangha (The Essential Foundation)
(2) Keep the Five Precepts
(3) Meditate at Least 4 Hours Each Week
(4) Keep a Weekly Uposatha ("Observance Day") Emphasizing Practice
(5) Engage in a...
Confessions of a Buddhist Scholar: Esotericism, Alchemy, & the Limits of Academia | Sarah Shaw Q&A
In this session, Ajahn Kovilo and Ajahn Nisabho interview scholar and practitioner Dr. Sarah Shaw about Buddhism in academia in general and about breathing mindfulness in particular.
Dr. Shaw's biography:
Dr. Sarah Shaw is a faculty member and tutor at the University of Oxford, a fellow of the Oxford Centre for Buddhist Studies, and a visiting contemplative mentor at Brown University. She has taught and published numerous works on the history and practices of Buddhism, including "The Art of Listening: A Guide to the Early Teachings of Buddhism", "Mindfulness: Where It...
Buddhism: Unitarianism Without the You – A UU Dharma Bum Biopic | Ajahn Kovilo
In this session, Ajahn Kovilo speaks at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Palo Alto (his mother's home congregation) about his own history being raised in the Unitarian Church and its effect on the trajectory of his life. Topics explored include Henry David Thoreau's essay "Life Without Principle", the intersection of Buddhism and Unitarian Universalism, how a Unitarian might begin to understand the Buddha's teaching, and much more!
Join Other Clear Mountain Events:
- Wednesday Evening Teaching & Discussion (6:00 – 7:30 pm PT, YouTube then Zoom)
- Saturday Morning Meditation, Teaching, & Co...
An Arahant & Chat-GPT Discuss Nibbāna... Risks & Possibilities of AI Dhamma | Ajahn Sādaro
In this talk, Ajahn Sādaro, visiting from Melbourne, Australia, speaks about the benefits and risks of using Large Language Models (LLMs) for Dhamma guidance. We may use these tools with wisdom, but knowing their limitations is essential.
Bio
Ajahn Sādaro ordained in the forest tradition in Thailand in 2005. After practicing throughout SE Asia, he returned to Australia in 2015 and now currently resides at the Buddhist Society of Victoria’s Buddhaloka vihara in Melbourne. To find our more, visit https://www.bsv.net.au/ajahn-sadaro/