Clear Mountain Monastery Project

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), approache...

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 Tha...

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) Res...

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...

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.digginthed...

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

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":...

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 - Fundrais...

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!

- Wednesda...

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 Analay...

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 ...

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 ...

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...

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 ...

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 ...

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 pointin...

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&notes=asterisk&highlight=false&script=latin). Apart from helping one feel confident in any group, ...

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...

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...