Clear Mountain Monastery Project

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:"With the...surmounting of perceptions of form, with the disappearance of perceptions of impingement, not focusing on perceptions of diversity, aware that ‘space is infinite’, one enters and remains in the dimension of infinite space."Bhikkhu Bodhi Translation:"With the...surmounting of perceptions of form, with the disappearance of perceptions of sensory impact, with non-attention to perceptions of diversity, aware that ‘space is infinite,’ some bhikkhu enters upon and abides in the base of infinite space."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!

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 intention include the Mahāgosiṅga Sutta (MN 32 - https://suttacentral.net/mn32/en/bodhi?lang=en&reference=none&highlight=false), AN 2.5 (https://suttacentral.net/an2.5/en/sujato?lang=en&layout=plain&reference=none&notes=asterisk&highlight=false&script=latin)Ajahn Kovilo and others have compiled an anthology of the Buddha's other encouragements towards training in "Thus Should You Train Yourselves" (https://www.clearmountain.org/2024/06/11/thus-should-you-train-yourselves/)-----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!

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 Greetings00:00:27 Humor in Meditation and Teaching00:01:50 Key Moments and Faith leading to Ordination00:02:43 Joining the Cambridge University Buddhist Society00:05:15 Psychic Research and Hunting Ghosts00:07:18 The Impact of Deep Meditative Experiences00:07:52 Instructions for Mindfulness of Breathing00:10:29 Frequency of Deep Experiences in Students00:11:34 Guiding Students Through the "Beautiful Breath"00:13:35 The "Cheshire Cat" Simile for Deep Meditation00:14:54 Addressing the Fear of Attachment to Bliss00:15:35 Advice for Those Struggling to Reach Deep States00:18:16 Reflections on Cultural Advice and Identity00:19:44 Defining "Nibbidā" (Disenchantment or Disgust)00:21:41 Teaching Mindfulness in Prisons00:23:51 The Story of the Imprisoned Thai Monk00:26:26 Avoiding Overwhelm in Monastic Administrative Roles00:26:49 Lessons from a Monastery Bushfire00:29:12 The Story of the Nine Bottles of Pepsi00:36:41 Rational Belief in Devas and Making Determinations00:38:21 The Story of the Winning Horse in Singapore00:41:58 Thoughts on Bodhisattvas and Enlightened Beings00:44:27 Comparing the Bodhisattva Ideal and the Theravada Path00:46:47 Addressing Skepticism Toward Rebirth and Devas00:49:00 Recalling Early Life and Past Life Memories00:52:03 Ending Doubt and the Experience of Stream Entry00:53:39 Reflecting on a False Experience of Enlightenment00:59:29 Advice for a Younger Self at Key Junctures01:02:18 Finding Hope Amidst Suffering and World Events01:04:09 Lightning Round: Cleaning vs. Meditation01:04:57 Lightning Round: The Biggest Test of Patience01:05:27 Lightning Round: On Sitting Quietly Alone01:05:49 Lightning Round: Favorite Sutta01:06:15 Lightning Round: Most Influential Teacher After Ajahn Chah01:09:45 Final Reflection: A Favorite Memory of Ajahn Chah01:14:52 Closing Advice for Young MonasticsAjahn Brahm's Biography in Brief:Ajahn Brahm (Ajahn Brahmavamso Mahathera), born in London in 1951, is a Theravada Buddhist monk. Ajahn Brahm grew up in London and earned a degree in Theoretical Physics from Cambridge University. Disillusioned with the world of academe, he trained as a monk in the jungles of Thailand under Ajahn Chah. A monk for over thirty years, Ajahn Brahm is the abbot of Bodhinyana Monastery, in Serpentine, Western Australia—one of the largest monasteries in the southern hemisphere; and he has also been influential in establishing Dhammasara Nuns' Monastery northeast of Perth. He is the Spiritual Director of the Buddhist Society of Western Australia, and spiritual adviser for various Buddhist centers throughout Asia and Australia. His books include "Mindfulness, Bliss, and Beyond: A Meditator's Handbook", "Who Ordered this Truckload of Dung", "The Art of Disappearing," and "Don't Worry Be Grumpy".------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!

In this interview, Ajahn Kovilo & Ajahn Nisabho speak with Mingyur Rinpoche (https://tergar.org/)00:00 Introduction03:29 Monastic Background and Biography06:22 Motivation for the Wandering Pilgrimage10:30 Utility and Traps of the Self-Image15:36 Near-Death Experience in Kushinagar24:48 Dynamic Between Effort and Non-Effort30:36 Innate Qualities of Awareness, Love, and Compassion40:56 Pointing-Out Instructions and Lineage Transmission46:05 Nature of Mind as Mundane vs. Transcendent52:20 Preparing for the Process of Dying58:03 Closing Blessing and RemarksMingyur Rinpoche Biography:Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche (born 1975) is a Tibetan Nepali master of the Karma Kagyu and Nyingma lineages of Tibetan Buddhism, a bestselling author, and the leader of the international Tergar Meditation Community. Raised by his father, the prominent Dzogchen and Mahamudra meditation master Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, he began studying meditation at age nine, entered formal training at Sherab Ling Monastery in India at age eleven, was recognized by the 16th Karmapa and by Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche as a tulku-incarnation of historical Adept Meditation masters at age twelve, began his first 3-year retreat at age 13, became functioning abbot of Sherab Ling at age twenty, and received full monastic ordination at age twenty-three. In addition to completing the construction of Tergar Monastery in Bodhgaya and overseeing Tergar Osel Ling Monastery in Kathmandu, Rinpoche embarked on a transformative four-year wandering retreat/pilgrimage in 2011 recounted in his book _In Love with the World: A Monk's Journey Through the Bardos of Living and Dying. He is also well-known globally for his accessible approach to meditation, detailed in his international bestselling books The Joy of Living (2007) and Joyful Wisdom (2009), and through his stepwise online courses available through Varjrayana Online (https://vajrayana.tergar.org/)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!

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 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!

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 article by Ajahn Kovilo on memorizing long Dhamma may be found here: https://www.clearmountain.org/2020/08/01/article-a-fun-way-to-memorize-long-dhamma-with-a-special-focus-on-the-dhammapada/A recording and text for chanting the Setting in Motion the Wheel of Dhamma Sutta (SN 56.11 - Dhammacakkappavattanasutta) may be found on page 2 of the Amaravati Chanting Book: https://amaravati.org/dhamma-books/chanting-book-volume-two/The full Sutta text may be found here: https://suttacentral.net/sn56.11/en/bodhi?lang=en&reference=none&highlight=falseA recording may be found here: Recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_FNHIPiTns--------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!

In this session, Ajahn Vinita, longtime attendant and student of Luang Por Sumedho, speaks with deep devotional warmth and sweetness about his affection and love for his teacher, the "simplest, most ordinary human" he's ever met. The talk, given on the Saturday preceding Luang Por Sumedho's 93rd birthday, is made especially poignant in that it was given at Saint Mark's Episcopal Cathedral where Luang Por served as alter boy while growing up in Seattle.Ajahn Vinita Biography:Born in Sri Lanka, Ajahn Vinitha ordained as a novice at age 17 in the tradition of Mahasi Sayadaw. After ten years training in Sri Lanka, he had the opportunity to attend to (upaṭṭhāk) Luang Por Sumedho on one of Luang Por's visits to the island. Before returning to England, Luang Por invited Ajahn Vinita to come to England to ordain under him at Amaravati Monastery. Since that time, Ajahn Vinita has diligently lived and trained with Luang Por Sumedho and served the Western Sangha for over 20 years. Ajahn Vinita is currently staying at the Alberta Insight Meditation Centre in Canada.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!

Gratitude Retreat Part 1: https://youtu.be/Bs-ymolbjqsIn this second portion of the daylong gratitude retreat given in June of 2026, Bhante Rahula speaks about the essential practice of cultivating gratitude for the blessings in our life, and the blessings we give to others. Such recollections represent a great support in practice, and our lives, and can be cultivated through practical means. Bring a pen and paper! Special thanks to Luis Navarro (Memo) for inserting the wonderful visuals. To learn more, visit www.bhanterahula.com.BioBhante Rāhula, born in Mexico, has spent the last 22 years in Asia in various periods, where he has practiced and studied the Dhamma.He was ordained in Myanmar by Sayadaw Dr. Nandamālābhivaṃsa, who is his preceptor. Since 2004 he has received meditation guidance from Sayadaw U Tejaniya. For 6 years, Bhante studied Suttas and Abhidhamma with Sayadaw Dr. Ukkamsacara in Macau. In 2019, he completed a course on Buddhist scriptures from Harvard University. He underwent monastic Vinaya training for 2 years in Sasanarakkha Buddhist Sanctuary in Malaysia under the guidance of Ven. Ariyadhammika, where he also led retreats and Dhamma activities for the local community. Currently, Bhante is constructing the Mexican Buddhist Center (Paññābhūmi) to introduce and propagate the Buddha’s teaching in South America. He is also actively involved in diverse programs to aid parts of the society in overcoming drug addiction and alcoholism, as well as supporting educational campaigns for children and teens to prevent such problem in this region. To learn more, visit www.bhanterahula.com.00:00 – Introduction: Working with the Mind After a Meal00:26 – The Three Inner Enemies: Desire, Aversion, and Not Knowing06:29 – Desire vs. Attachment: The Hummus Story10:12 – Aversion, Pessimism, and Fear Is a Liar15:03 – Introducing Gratitude as the Antidote16:41 – Gratitude List Exercise Begins20:00 – Group Sharing: What Gratitude Uncovers42:15 – Warrior Breathing and Body Awareness48:32 – Silanusati: Recognizing Our Own Goodness1:03:05 – Worthy and Capable: Overcoming Self-Doubt1:13:47 – How to Use This Practice Against the Inner Bully1:17:16 – The Plane Story: Gratitude in the Face of Death1:30:05 – Group Reflections: Bringing This Practice Home2:04:52 – Words of Appreciation for Bante Rahula2:17:16 – Closing Blessing and Dedication-----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!

Gratitude Retreat Part 2: https://youtu.be/RJ1mAYVhJ-YIn this first talk of the daylong gratitude retreat given in June of 2026, Bhante Rahula speaks about how to use practice to take stock of our moment in life, and use it skillfully to cleanse the mind and heart. To learn more, visit www.bhanterahula.com.BioBhante Rāhula, born in Mexico, has spent the last 22 years in Asia in various periods, where he has practiced and studied the Dhamma.He was ordained in Myanmar by Sayadaw Dr. Nandamālābhivaṃsa, who is his preceptor. Since 2004 he has received meditation guidance from Sayadaw U Tejaniya. For 6 years, Bhante studied Suttas and Abhidhamma with Sayadaw Dr. Ukkamsacara in Macau. In 2019, he completed a course on Buddhist scriptures from Harvard University. He underwent monastic Vinaya training for 2 years in Sasanarakkha Buddhist Sanctuary in Malaysia under the guidance of Ven. Ariyadhammika, where he also led retreats and Dhamma activities for the local community. Currently, Bhante is constructing the Mexican Buddhist Center (Paññābhūmi) to introduce and propagate the Buddha’s teaching in South America. He is also actively involved in diverse programs to aid parts of the society in overcoming drug addiction and alcoholism, as well as supporting educational campaigns for children and teens to prevent such problem in this region. To learn more, visit www.bhanterahula.com.-----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!

00:00 Intro & THAI Part-1: On Merit, Meditation, Impermanence, and Karma15:10 ENGLISH TRANSLATION Part-124:25 Question: Expressing Gratitude and Asking About Sitting Together25:24 Ayya Anandabodhi Gratitude and Luang Por Damrong Sucitto Response29:43 ENGLISH TRANSLATION Part-232:38 Question: Requesting a Monastic BlessingIn this talk, Luang Por Damrong Siribadaddho, one of the most senior disciples of Ajahn Chah, teaches that material wealth and physical health are impermanent, urging the community to find true happiness by cultivating inner peace through generosity, morality, and meditation. Biography:Luang Por Damrong SIribaddho, or Phra Khru Bhaddadhammasiri, is a direct disciple of Luang Por Chah who has been in robes for 57 years. He is the is abbot of Wat Pah Nam Khamgeung (วัดป่าน้ำคำเกิ่ง) in Ubon, Thailand.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!