Clear Mountain Monastery Project

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 ...

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, &am...

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 ...

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 Mounta...

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 w...

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 M...

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...

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 a...

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 ...

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 ...

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...