Clear Mountain Monastery Project

No Best Friends: Sympathetic Resonance & the Architecture of Spiritual Community | Ajahn Nisabho

In this talk, Ajahn Nisabho speaks about how we can create true spiritual community, referencing the the six principles of harmony taught by the Buddha in the Kosambiya Sutta (MN 48 - https://www.dhammatalks.org/suttas/MN/MN48.html). Understanding kalyāṇa-mittatā, or spiritual friendship, as relationship predicated on mutual support of shared spiritual values rather than resonance of personality, we can cultivate a truly inclusive and safe refuge for all.----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://linktr.ee/clear_mountain_monastery for details. Welcome!

Sacrifice & Grace: Leg Lost & Pain Meditation Tested on a Cold Foreign Highway | Ajahn Mahā Dam

In this interview, Ajahn Kovilo and Ajahn Nisabho speak with Ajahn Mahā Dam (https://www.facebook.com/buddhakhanti/), who was handicapped during the Walk For Peace.00:00:00 – Introduction00:01:27 – Early Faith and Becoming a Novice00:03:24 – Moving to Thailand at Age 1400:04:03 – Ajahn's "Second Birth" as a Buddhist00:05:41 – Challenges of Language and Adaptation00:07:07 – Sustaining Monastic Life as a Youth00:09:34 – Transitioning to Pāli Studies in Bangkok00:11:38 – The Technique of Pain Meditation00:14:03 – Recollections of the Accident00:17:00 – Duration of the Peace Walk00:21:27 – Breath Meditation vs. Mantras00:22:25 – The Importance of Mindfulness at Death00:25:11 – Advice on Loss and Mindfulness Without the Breath00:26:38 – Sensations Immediately After Impact00:30:17 – Processing the News of Amputation00:33:08 – Offering the Leg as Buddha Pūja00:37:31 – Hopes for Future Service to the Dhamma00:39:36 – Experiences with Racism and Being a Stranger00:41:10 – Favorite Teachers of the Thai Forest Tradition00:42:38 – Listening to Ajahn Chah in Isaan/Lao Language00:44:01 – Hopes for Pilgrimage in India and Nepal00:44:36 – The Core Purpose of the Walk for Peace00:48:07 – Practicing with Loss and Avoiding Resentment00:50:55 – Forgiveness and the "Second Arrow" of Anger00:54:13 – Reflections on the Community’s Support00:56:37 – Current Recovery and Future Hopes00:58:54 – A New Companion: The Peace DogAjahn Mahā Dam's Biography:Ajahn Mahā Dam Prommasan (พระอาจารย์มหาดำ พรหมสาร) was born in Savannakhet, Laos and ordained as a novice monk at age nine. At age fourteen, he traveled to Ubon, Thailand to further his studies at Wat Phitsopārām (วัดพิชโสภาราม), later continuing his studies in Bangkok where he would complete the eighth of nine levels of Pāli Proficiency. In 2016, he moved to Wat Lao Buddha Khanti in Snellville, Georgia, where he now serves as head monk. At the end of last year, Ajahn Maha Dam joined Bhante Paññākāra's Walk for Peace tudong. While on this walking pilgrimage near Houston, Texas, he was struck by a vehicle, resulting in injuries so severe that his leg had to be amputated. Despite the profound physical trauma and the loss of his limb, he continues his life as a monk with a heart free of grievance, embodying the very peace he set out to share with the world.To learn more about Ajahn Mahā Dam, visit: https://www.watlaobuddhakhanti.org/ OR https://www.facebook.com/buddhakhanti/- Interview with the Walk for Peace leader, Bhante Paññākāra here: https://youtu.be/vgo0mhBAotM- And Part Two of that interview here: https://youtu.be/r_AhRfLJJNw#walkforpeace #alokathepeacedog #buddhistmonks ----Tune in with fellow practitioners for Clear Mountain’s weekly online and hybrid events!- Wednesday Evening Teaching & Discussion (6:00 - 7:45 pm PT, YouTube then Zoom)- Saturday Morning Meditation, Teaching, & Coffee Social (9:30 - 11:00 am PT, Online & In-Person)- Sunday Evening “Mission Majjhima!” Sutta Teaching & Discussion (5:00 - 6:00 pm PT, Online)See https://www.clearmountainmonastery.org/ or visit https://linktr.ee/clear_mountain_monastery for details. Welcome!

All About Suffering – The First (and Hardest) Truth AKA Anicca’s Ugly Cousin | Ajahn Kovilo

In this session, Ajahn Kovilo takes a cue from the Christian Calendar, speaking to the symbolism of Holy/Glorious/Low Saturday–the day after Christ's Crucifixion and before his Resurrection–as a metaphor for being with and understanding dukkha, suffering. 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://linktr.ee/clear_mountain_monastery for details. Welcome!

Through Heaven, Hell, & Hecklers: Walking for Peace Through America in Crisis | Bhante Paññākāra Q&A

This is PART TWO of Clear Mountain's two-part interview with Bhante Paññākāra. You may find PART ONE here: https://youtu.be/vgo0mhBAotM00:00:00 - Introduction00:01:51 - Encounters with Suffering on the Road00:09:14 - Walking Meditation and Mindfulness of Breath at the Edge00:18:55 - Ajahn Mahā Dham's Accident and Amputation00:24:32 - "Protest" and Police Encounters00:38:40 - Personal Relationship to the Triple Gem: Buddha, Dhamma, and Saṅgha00:41:48 - Engaging with Christian Protesters - "No Religion"00:50:30 - A Message for the WorldIn this interview, Ajahn Kovilo and Ajahn Nisabho speak with Bhante Pannyakara (https://dhammacetiya.com/), the Vietnamese-born Theravāda monk who led the recent "Walk for Peace" from Texas to Washington DC and who founded the Dhammacetiya Project in Fort Worth, Texas. This second part of the interview details the miraculous rescue of the 'ambassador dog' Āloka from India, the transformative impact of the 2,300-mile 'Walk for Peace' on those contemplating suicide or facing deep grief, the tragic yet transcendent accident of Ajahn MahāDham, the unique integration of law enforcement and protesters into a singular field of mindfulness, and how the internal discipline of watchin the breath can allow a practitioner to maintain a 'peaceful day' amidst the noise of the world.To learn more, visit https://dhammacetiya.com/ or https://www.youtube.com/@walkforpeaceusa Bhante's Biography:Bhante Paññākāra is a Theravāda Buddhist monk and former IT engineer who transitioned from a corporate career to a life of mindfulness and service. Born in Vietnam and educated at the University of Texas at Arlington, Bhante Paññākāra immigrated to the U.S. in 1997 and took full ordination in 2010 in the lineage of the Most Venerable Ratanaguna, the last direct disciple of His Holiness the Venerable Vamsarakhita, founder and first Sangharaja of the Vietnamese Theravāda Buddhist Sangha. In 2020, he launched the Dhammacetiya Project to preserve the Tipiṭaka in a monumental marble stupa complex, a vision furthered by his 112-day, 2,100-mile ascetic Dhutanga pilgrimage across India and Nepal. That journey, chronicled in his memoir, The Footsteps of a Buddhist Monk, laid the foundation for his most recent undertaking: leading the only-very-recently-completed 2,300-mile, 108-day 'Walk for Peace' from Texas to Washington, D.C. He currently serves at the Hương Đạo Vipassana Bhāvana Center in Fort Worth, Texas.To learn more about Bhante Paññākāra, visit: https://www.facebook.com/walkforpeaceusa/ or https://dhammacetiya.com/#walkforpeace #alokathepeacedog #buddhistmonks ----Tune in with fellow practitioners for Clear Mountain’s weekly online and hybrid events!- Wednesday Evening Teaching & Discussion (6:00 - 7:45 pm PT, YouTube then Zoom)- Saturday Morning Meditation, Teaching, & Coffee Social (9:30 - 11:00 am PT, Online & In-Person)- Sunday Evening “Mission Majjhima!” Sutta Teaching & Discussion (5:00 - 6:00 pm PT, Online)See https://www.clearmountainmonastery.org/ or visit https://linktr.ee/clear_mountain_monastery for details. Welcome!

The Wingspan of Humility: Buddhist Teachings on Removing the Dart of Pride | Ajahn Nisabho

In this talk, Ajahn Nisabho speaks about the quality humility in Buddhism, and how to let go of pride and conceit. Though anattā, or "not-self", can seem like an abstract concept at first, Buddhist practice teaches us over time the embodied sense of what means to let go of a sense of self and ensuing suffering. In humility we find true majesty of spirit.-----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://linktr.ee/clear_mountain_monastery for details. Welcome!

A Monk, His Dog, & All the World: 2,300 Miles, 108 Days, 1 Great Vow | Bhante Paññākāra Q&A

This is PART ONE of Clear Mountain's two-part interview with Bhante Paññākāra. PART TWO is scheduled to air April 1st here: https://youtu.be/r_AhRfLJJNw00:00:00 - Introduction00:02:23 - How is Āloka?00:04:00 - Key Moments of Faith and Ordination00:14:51 - Choosing Theravāda00:23:12 - Making Vows00:30:52 - Āloka Sighting00:31:55 - Daily Vows and the Practice of Tudong Pilgrimage and Wearing Rag-robes00:39:54 - How Bhante Met Āloka00:47:26 - Social Justice Peace Walks vs. Renunciate Peace WalksIn this interview, Ajahn Kovilo and Ajahn Nisabho speak with Bhante Pannakara (https://dhammacetiya.com/), the Vietnamese-born Theravāda monk who led the recent "Walk for Peace" from Texas to Washington DC and who founded the Dhammacetiya Project in Fort Worth, Texas. This first part of the interview explores Bhante Paññākāra’s transition from a disillusioning IT career to the monastic life, the profound 'system-reboot' sparked by the simple sight of a falling leaf, the persistence required to secure his parents' and teacher's permission to ordain, the seven-year silent incubation of his vow to build the marble Dhammacetiya Project, and the physical rigors of a 2,100-mile ascetic pilgrimage through India and Nepal in hand-stitched rag robes.Bhante's Biography:Bhante Panyakara is a Theravāda Buddhist monk and former IT engineer who transitioned from a corporate career to a life of mindfulness and service. Born in Vietnam and educated at the University of Texas at Arlington, Bhante Paññākāra immigrated to the U.S. in 1997 and took full ordination in 2010 in the lineage of the Most Venerable Ratanaguna, the last direct disciple of His Holiness the Venerable Vamsarakhita, founder and first Sangharaja of the Vietnamese Theravāda Buddhist Sangha. In 2020, he launched the Dhammacetiya Project to preserve the Tipiṭaka in a monumental marble stupa complex, a vision furthered by his 112-day, 2,100-mile ascetic Dhutanga pilgrimage across India and Nepal. That journey, chronicled in his memoir, The Footsteps of a Buddhist Monk, laid the foundation for his most recent undertaking: leading the only-very-recently-completed 2,300-mile, 108-day 'Walk for Peace' from Texas to Washington, D.C. He currently serves at the Hương Đạo Vipassana Bhāvana Center in Fort Worth, Texas.To learn more about Bhante Paññākāra, visit: https://www.facebook.com/walkforpeaceusa/ or https://dhammacetiya.com/Tune in with fellow practitioners for Clear Mountain’s weekly online and hybrid events!- Wednesday Evening Teaching & Discussion (6:00 - 7:45 pm PT, YouTube then Zoom)- Saturday Morning Meditation, Teaching, & Coffee Social (9:30 - 11:00 am PT, Online & In-Person)- Sunday Evening “Mission Majjhima!” Sutta Teaching & Discussion (5:00 - 6:00 pm PT, Online)See https://www.clearmountainmonastery.org/ or visit https://linktr.ee/clear_mountain_monastery for details. Welcome!

Clear Mountain .... MONASTERY! A Dream Landed & Our Hopes for the Future | CM Monastics & Community

https://www.friendsofclearmountain.org/land/00:00 Introduction02:13 Monastics speak15:45 Board & Land Development Team speak44:18 Audience sharing with Q&AOn Sat. March 21, 2026, Clear Mountain's monastics, Board, and Land Development team announced to the community that the Friends of Clear Mountain Board had taken a final vote to approve acquisition of the 90-acre North Bend land for Clear Mountain Monastery. By doing so they met the March 22 deadline for the due diligence process. Community support for the land acquisition reflects the incredible generosity of the Clear Mountain community around the world, and the final donations for the purchase came through to Friends of Clear Mountain for the full $4.93 million purchase of the two North Bend parcels, the future home of Clear Mountain Monastery!We rejoice in all those who contributed to this beautiful aspiration being realized! Sadhu!To learn more, visit https://www.friendsofclearmountain.org/land/----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://linktr.ee/clear_mountain_monastery for details. Welcome!

Metta Without Makeup: Robes Since 11 & Love in Bare Feet | Bhante Sumitta Q&A

In this session, Ajahn Kovilo and Ajahn Nisabho interview Bhante Sumitta, founder of “Dhamma USA” (https://www.dhammausa.org/). Topics discussed include Bhante Smnitta's going-forth at eleven, the benefits of loving-kindness, cultivation of metta, teaching Dhamma to children, the emerging bhikkhuni order in Sri Lanka and the US.Bhante Sumitta's Biography:Bhante Sumitta is the founder of “Dhamma USA”, a community-based charity organization to launch his community care and spiritual care activities. Bhante is actively engaged in social welfare and spiritual care activities in California and other states by conducting Dhamma Talks, Sutta Discussions, Meditations and Pali Language Classes apart from helping many under privileged families and children in Sri Lanka. Dhamma USA is also helping children education projects in India. Bhante Sumitta is currently a PhD Research scholar at the University of the West and is pursuing his research thesis on “Philosophy of Arahanta Ideal as Depicted in Mahaniddesa”. At his school, University of the West, Bhante Sumitta started “UWest Pali Society” to promote Pali studies and Buddhist Art & Culture. A weeklong Budart Exhibition was co-organized by Bhante Sumitta along with Budart. He works as an Adjunct Faculty at the University of the West in several Departments teaching Ethics in Buddhist Ministry; Fundamentals of Buddhism; Introduction to Buddhist Psychology and more. He works as a prison care volunteer for Engaged Buddhist Alliance in Southern California apart from teaching at Home Boys Industries in Los Angeles from time to time. Prior to arriving at United States, venerable has been working at the Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka as a Senior Lecturer in English. He has completed 2 Bachelor Degrees and 3 Master Degrees prior to pursuing his doctoral Degree at the University of the West.To learn more, visit https://www.dhammausa.org/------The link to the 7:00-7:45 pm Zoom session following the livestream may be found on the event listing at https://www.clearmountainmonastery.org/events/wednesday/. Tune in with fellow practitioners for Clear Mountain’s weekly online and hybrid events!- Wednesday Evening Teaching & Discussion (6:00 – 7:45 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://linktr.ee/clear_mountain_monastery for details. Welcome!

’Dedicating Goodness’ for Beginners: Intercontinental Metta & Prayer for Skeptics! | Ajahn Kovilo

The 4-Part guided meditation on "sharing merit" that preceded this talk can be found here: https://youtu.be/cK__2ma48vsIn this session, Ajahn Kovilo speaks to the practice of "sharing merit" (pattidāna-mayā puññā) based on the "Verses of Sharing & Aspiration" chant on page 33 of the Chanting book (https://cdn.amaravati.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/30/Chanting-Book-Vol-1-Web.pdf):"Through the goodness that arises from my practice, May my spiritual teachers & guides of great virtue,My mother, my father, & my relatives,The Sun & the Moon, & all virtuous leaders of the world,May the highest gods & evil forces,Celestial beings, guardian spirits of the Earth, & the Lord of Death,May those who are friendly, indifferent, or hostile,May all beings receive the blessings of my life.May they soon attain the threefold bliss & realize the Deathless.Through the goodness that arises from my practice, & through this act of sharing,May all desires & attachments quickly cease & all harmful states of mind.Until I realize Nibānna,In every kind of birth, may I have an upright mind,With mindfulness & wisdom, austerity & vigor.May the forces of delusion not take hold nor weaken my resolve.The Buddha is my excellent refuge,Unsurpassed is the protection of the Dhamma,The Solitary Buddha is my noble guide,The Sangha is my supreme support.Through the supreme power of all these,May darkness & delusion be dispelled."Tune in with fellow practitioners for Clear Mountain’s weekly online and hybrid events!- Wednesday Evening Teaching & Discussion (6:00 – 7:45 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://linktr.ee/clear_mountain_monastery for details. Welcome!

MN 82: Ratthapala Sutta - Foremost in Ordaining on Pure Conviction | 10-Minute Majjhima

Ratthapala was a wealthy young man who heard the Buddha teach and immediately wanted to ordain. His parents refused - he was their only son, raised in privilege. So he lay on the floor and declared he would die there if not permitted. After seven days of fasting, they relented. He quickly attained arahantship and later returned home. His father tried to lure him back with piles of gold and his former wives, but Ratthapala was unmoved. When King Koravya asked why someone with youth, health, and wealth would renounce the world, Ratthapala taught the famous "Four Dhamma Summaries". The Buddha declared Ratthapala foremost among disciples who ordained on "pure conviction" - not from misfortune, but from profound insight into the nature of existence.To learn more or join via Zoom for the Sunday "Mission Majjhima!" discussion group from 5:10 - 6 pm PT following the video premier, visit Clear Mountain Monastery's website and click on the link for the "Mission Majjhima! – Sunday Evening Sutta Teaching & Discussion" (https://www.clearmountainmonastery.org/events/sunday-sutta-study/).THIS SUTTA:The Ratthapala Sutta (About Ratthapala) - https://suttacentral.net/mn82/en/sujatoTHE FULL MISSION MAJJHIMA PLAYLIST & SERIES:- https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLomY-Sp4p5YsIVG0DmvJhUcR6YaXR_3wf- https://www.clearmountainmonastery.org/events/sunday-sutta-study/SUPPLEMENTARY RESOURCES:- Reference Notes - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1GbSQaD5VJr3oVkoOXQZOP23NeysBTsY9u5h4O8wub_E/edit- SuttaCentral Translations and Parallels - https://suttacentral.net/mn82- Bhikkhu Bodhi Translation - https://suttacentral.net/mn82/en/bodhi- Thanissaro Bhikkhu Translation - https://www.dhammatalks.org/suttas/MN/MN82.html- Bhikkhu Bodhi Lecture - Syllabus for a Systematic Study of the Majjhima Nikāya: -- https://bodhimonastery.org/a-systematic-study-of-the-majjhima-nikaya.html#:~:text=MN%2082%2E%20Ra%E1%B9%AD%E1%B9%ADhap%C4%81la%20Sutta,-V -- (audio) https://scdd.sfo2.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/uploads/original/3X/d/3/d3c0aa5d75be1472abc9000e329bc671942d09a5.mp3- Bhikkhu Analayo - A Comparative Study of the Majjhima-nikaya - MN 81 - Page 477 - https://www.buddhismuskunde.uni-hamburg.de/pdf/5-personen/analayo/compstudyvol1.pdf#page=477- Venerable Ekaggata - MN 82 - https://bswa.org/teaching/mn82-ratthapala-sutta-12-december-2012/- Dharmata - Ratthapala Sutta Analysis - https://palisuttas.com/2015/12/06/ratthapala-sutta-mn-82-r/- The Four Dhamma Summaries (Chanting Guide) - https://www.dhammatalks.org/books/ChantingGuide/Section0013.html- "The World Is Swept Away" (Thanissaro Bhikkhu) - https://www.dhammatalks.org/books/Meditations2/Section0039.htmlTune in with fellow practitioners for Clear Mountain's weekly online and hybrid events!- Wednesday Evening Teaching & Discussion (6:00 – 7:45 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://linktr.ee/clear_mountain_monastery for details. Welcome!