Clear Mountain Monastery Project

https://www.clearmountain.org/ https://linktr.ee/clear_mountain_monastery https://www.friendsofclearmountain.org/land-development/ CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction & Setting the Intention 02:15 Day 1: Beginning the Pilgrimage Journey 05:30 Day 2: Reflections, Community, and the Trail 09:45 Day 3: Arrival and The Vision Lands 12:10 Conclusion & Reflections on the Mountain VISION Clear Mountain M...

In this talk, Bhante Rahula, visiting from Paññabhumi Monastery in Jalisco, Mexico, speaks about joy as an essential spiritual tool which we may access by appreciating all the good we've done. To pause now, and appreciate the great care that's gone into finding Clear Mountain a home, can serves a cause for great wellbeing, and a happiness that outlasts the world. Sadhu! Visit bhanterahula.com or h...

In this session, Ayya Sudhamma, abbess of Charlotte Buddhist Vihara ( https://www.charlottebuddhistvihara.org/), joins Ajahn Kovilo and Ajahn Nisabho for a conversation. Read her renderings of the Therigatha at: https://therigatha.org/ Ayya's biography: Venerable Sudhammā is one of a handful of Theravada Mahātherīs born in the West. After receiving her initial monastic training under the renowned...

In this session, Ajahn Kovilo discusses various skilful means—specifically ones related to a felt sense of spaciousness—for relating to the 5 hindrances of: 00:00 Introduction to unbounded mind vs little mind 08:12 (1) sensual desire 11:45 (2) ill-will 17:21 (3) sloth and torpor 20:35 (4) restlessness and worry 24:50 (5) doubt An overarching relationship is drawn between: (a) the Buddha's comparis...

This is PART TWO of Clear Mountain's interview with Bhante Sujāto, co-founder of SuttaCentral.net and abbot of Lokanta Vihara. Watch PART ONE here: https://youtu.be/dJvntE6aw-s 00:00:00 Introduction & Textual Curiosity Across Buddhist Genres 00:16:51 Comparative Studies of the Creation of the Bhikkhuni Order 00:24:59 The Trojan Horse Simile of Picking and Choosing & How to Hold Varrying Vi...

In this talk, Ajahn Nisabho speaks about the definitions of "dukkha", and the importance of understanding its various meanings in order to practice skillfully towards its ending. To truly embody the directive of the First Noble Truth is to initiate the alchemy of release. Chapters 00:00 - Understanding Dukkha (Translations & Etymology) 02:11 - The Malunkyaputta Sutta & Leaves in the Hand 0...

This is PART ONE of Clear Mountain's interview with Bhante Sujāto, co-founder of SuttaCentral.net and abbot of Lokanta Vihara. Watch PART TWO being premiered next Wednesday here: https://youtu.be/h1RotjMuH_M 00:00 Introduction 01:56 Bhante Discovers the Suttas 07:01 The Origin Story of SuttaCentral 13:52 How Comparative Agama Study Supports Pāli Sutta Practice 20:59 Key Insights Uncovered Through...

The Key of Compassion (Free Download): https://sravastiabbey.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/The_Key_of_Compassion_v2026-04-09_ClearMtn_Secured.pdf In this interview, Ven. Chodron speaks about the new book, "The Key of Compassion: Finding Meaning where In The Key of Compassion, incarcerated men articulate how they landed in prison, the reality of life behind bars, the benefits of educational progra...

In this talk, Bhante Buddharakkhita, visiting from Uganda, speaks about his journey from Africa into Buddhism, and how the first four blessings described by the Buddha in the Maṇgala Sutta (Discourse on Blessings - https://www.dhammatalks.org/books/ChantingGuide/Section0051.html) can help keep us on the path. Learn more at https://bhantebuddharakkhita.org/ and https://ugandabuddhistcenter.org/ Bio...

In this interview, Ajahn Kovilo and Ajahn Nisabho speak with Luang Por Pasanno about dukkha (suffering & unsatisfactoriness), in its personal, social, physical, and psychological aspects. Bio Luang Por Pasanno is one of the most senior disciples of Luang Por Chah. He is the former abbot of Wat Pah Nanachat, and founder of Wat Poo Jom Gom, Wat Dtao Dum, and co-founder of Abhayagiri Monastery in...

This is PART TWO of Clear Mountain's interview with Andrew Holecek—scholar, practitioner, and "student of the night" ( https://www.andrewholecek.com/). Watch PART ONE here: https://youtu.be/9wqSc5M1z-Q 00:00:00 Introduction 00:01:31 Definition of Nocturnal Meditation 00:04:24 The Value of Waking Consciousness 00:15:58 Exploring the Liminal State 00:16:07 Historical Context of Early Wakefulness Tea...

In this session, Ajahn Kovilo and Ajahn Nisabho engage in a conversation with poet David Whyte ( https://davidwhyte.com/). 00:00:00 Introduction & Spiritual Background 00:09:48 David Recites "The Bell and the Blackbird" 00:12:35 Marshaling Art for Spiritual Growth 00:19:16 Overcoming Acedia & Finding Joy 00:24:55 David Recites Blessing for the Morning Light 00:26:24 David Recites "The Well...

This is PART ONE of Clear Mountain's interview with Andrew Holecek—scholar, practitioner, and "student of the night" ( https://www.andrewholecek.com/). Watch PART TWO here: https://youtu.be/mGqZDbIVK0c 00:00:00 - Introduction & Andrew Holecek's Background 00:01:44 - Lunar Spirituality Bio & Background 00:07:01 - Overview & Significance of Dark Retreat 00:10:34 - Physical Setup and Envi...

00:00 Chanting Together 00:52 Ayyā Ānandabodhi — Walking Right Here 08:04 Ajahn Kovilo — Walking With Stillness: The World Moving Through Us 16:58 Ajahn Nisabho — Path as Duty: Monastery as Container 26:59 Question: Navigating Career Transitions 31:53 Question: Managing Boredom in Relationships 37:25 Question: Balancing Duty and Presence In this session, directly preceding their three-day pilgrima...

ESSAYS Return to Simplicity Through Wuwei: https://luminousdharma.org/return-to-simplicity-through-wuwei/ Returning to Nature: https://luminousdharma.org/returning-to-nature-advanced-dharma-practice/ PAIRED VIDEO: https://youtu.be/qlU00qmHq1E DESCRIPTION Returning to Simplicity is an approach to Buddhist practice based on radical surrender. What we set down is the whole apparatus of impulse, obses...

In this talk, Ajahn Nisabho the Buddha's directions towards developing jhāna through mindfulness of breathing, as articulated in the Ānāpānassati Sutta (MN 18 - https://suttacentral.net/mn118/en/bodhi?lang=en&reference=none&highlight=false). Taoist articulations of how to refine the body's energies provide practical tools for practitioners looking to refine the mind through these stages. S...

ESSAY: http://Luminousdharma.org/awakening-alchemy/ PAIRED VIDEO: https://youtu.be/_GUvwlg8bHI DESCRIPTION Awakening Alchemy is a system of body, breath, energy, and spirit practices that cultivate and transform our being on multiple levels. Its concepts and approach are rooted in principles found within East Asian medicine, Taoist cultivation, and Buddhism. In this discussion we establish the pri...

In this session, Ajahn Kovilo speaks about four doors to entering into the perception of space (ākāsa-saññā or ākāsānañcāyatana-saññā): 1) transcending form (rūpasaññānaṃ samatikkamā); 2) setting down resistance (paṭighasaññānaṃ atthaṅgamā); 3) unhooking duality (nānattasaññānaṃ amanasikārā); 4) resting in space (‘ananto ākāso’ti ākāsānañcāyatanaṃ upasampajja viharati). Bhikkhu Sujato Translation:...

In this talk, Ajahn Nisabho speaks the importance in practice of directing attention and intention to shape our path and experience. The word "adhiṭṭāna" ("determination" or "vow") describes such training, as does the Buddha's frequent admonishment to his discples, "Evañhi vo … sikkhitabbaṃ" ("Thus you should train yourselves..."). Some Suttas where the Buddha speaks about this setting of intentio...

In this session, Ajahn Kovilo and Ajahn Nisabho interview Ajahn Brahm, abbot of Bodhinyana Monastery ( https://bswa.org/). The discussion delves into Ajahn's path to ordination, advice for achieving deep samādhi, thoughts on Stream Entry, stories of devas, tales of Luang Por Chah, and more. 00:00:00 Introduction and Greetings 00:00:27 Humor in Meditation and Teaching 00:01:50 Key Moments and Faith...

In this session, Ajahn Kovilo and Ajahn Nisabho interview Brother Pháp Lưu, the eldest non-Vietnamese American monk in the Plum Village tradition who is currently at Deer Park Monastery ( https://deerparkmonastery.org/). Biography of Brother Pháp Lưu: Ordained as a monk since December 13, 2003, Brother Chân Pháp Lưu (Brother Stream) received Transmission of the Lamp from Zen Master Thích Nhất Hạnh...

In this interview, Ajahn Kovilo & Ajahn Nisabho speak with Mingyur Rinpoche ( https://tergar.org/) 00:00 Introduction 03:29 Monastic Background and Biography 06:22 Motivation for the Wandering Pilgrimage 10:30 Utility and Traps of the Self-Image 15:36 Near-Death Experience in Kushinagar 24:48 Dynamic Between Effort and Non-Effort 30:36 Innate Qualities of Awareness, Love, and Compassion 40:56...

In this session, Ajahn Kovilo speaks about the Four Noble Truths and the Discourse on Setting in Motion of the Wheel of Dhamma in honor of Āsāḷha Pūjā. 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...

In this session, Ajahn Kovilo and Ajahn Nisabho celebrate Āsāḷha Pūjā by speaking about the Setting in Motion the Wheel of Dhamma Sutta (SN 56.11 - Dhammacakkappavattanasutta), and its articulation of the Four Noble Truths. They they take questions dealing with topics ranging from the difference between Bodhisattvas and Arahants, to the nature of Nibbāna, to the benefits of memorization. Sadhu! An...

In this session, Ajahn Nisabho speaks with Kim Grose Moore and Tommy "Shakur" Ross from the GRIP (Guiding Rage Into Power) Training Institute ( https://grip-traininginstitute.org/) about their work in prisons teaching inmates to transform trauma and anger into meaningful internal change. The program, inspired by Dhammic principles and practices, has helped almost 2000 graduates move towards genuin...