Clear Mountain Monastery Project

Intersectional Emptiness: Identity, Privilege, & Beyond | Ajahn Nisabho

In this talk, Ajahn Nisabho speaks about the two levels of Right View taught by the Buddha, and how holding both allows us to honor the conditioned realm while also looking beyond it, both in terms of personal practice and social identity. Additionally, the Buddha provides us with a different paradigm for what constitutes true privilege in life, complicating current cultural narratives.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 Foam-Lump, a Bubble, and a Magician Walk Into a Mirage | Ajahns Kovilo & Nisabho

In this session, Ajahn Kovilo and Ajahn Nisabho answer questions about the five aggregates (khandhas) of form, feeling, perception, mental formations, and consciousness, specifically addressing the Pheṇa Sutta (SN 22.95) in which the Buddha says that:1. form (rūpa) is like a lump of foam2. feeling (vedana) is like water bubble from a raindrop landing in water3. perception (saññā) is like a mirage, 4. mental formations (saṅkhārā) are like a pithless plantain tree5. consciousness (viññāṇa) is like a magician’s illusion at a crossroads.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!

Unbounded Love—More Powerful than Anger | Ayya Niyyānika

In this talk, Ayya Niyyānika, speaks about how to cultivate a sense of care instead of aversion to the circumstances of the world.My mind will not get bent out of shapeAnd no evil speech will I spewWith kind careAnd continued warm heartNo anger insideIs the way to go in all situations.Ayyā Niyyānika's Bio:Ayyā Niyyānika is a fully ordained Buddhist monastic in the Theravada tradition. Ayya uses they/them pronouns. They received their initial monastic training within the Dhammadharini community from 2014 through 2019 and then was with the Aloka Vihara community for three years. The past year and a bit have been a time of travel, integration, and deepening in practice. They visited a variety of monastic and lay communities in the West and in Asia, taking time for retreat and study as well as community involvement. To learn more, visit https://passaddhivihara.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!

Coming Back! Different Dialects, Same Dhamma | Bhante Rāhula

In this session, Ajahn Kovilo and Ajahn Nisabho interview Bhante Rāhula of Paññābhūmi Monastery, Guadalajara, Mexico. To learn more about Bhante Rāhula and support Paññābhūmi Monastery: - email: bh.rahula@gmail.com- join Bhante's WhatsApp group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/JEQSFwwuKwl83yQcUT1Bkw (Dhamma sharing in Spanish)- join Bhante's every Sunday Zoom meeting at 7am Mountain Time: https://zoom.us/j/7426068348?pwd=c3BqT3dNcnkxcFFwVFQvNkRnUHlTQT09 (ID: 7426068348; Contraseña: metta) (Dhamma sharing in Spanish)- visit Bhante's YouTube Channel (chiefly Spanish): https://www.youtube.com/c/Anatom%C3%ADadelaMenteAbhidhamma- watch the video of Paññabhumi Monastery: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/xjy8qq4k7od0v28siq2yl/PB-PINDAPATA.mov?rlkey=ni2kjcgakko6q8l7zz2pt0nn7&st=aot1feug&dl=0- retreat in Houston: May 23rd-26thBhante Rāhula's bio:Bhante 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.The link to the 6:45-7:30 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 – 7:30 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!

How to Buddhist Habits: Gaming the Habit Loops of Dependent Origination | Ajahn Kovilo

In this session, recorded on New Year's Eve 2024 as part of the Clear Mountain New Year's Vigil, Ajahn Kovilo reflects on insights gained from the book "Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones" by James Clear and how they can support our practice of generosity, ethics, and wisdom. Ajahn Kovilo introduces the "habit loop" of Cue, Craving, Response, Reward, and the mnemonic frameworks of:- OAES (always) making the Noble Eightfold Path: Obvious, Attractive, Easy, & Satisfying! and- NEVR (never) practicing the craving that leads to dukkha by making bad habits: Non-obvious, Eerie, Vexing, & Repulsive!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!

Tudong or Not Tudong: Transforming the World One Step at a Time | Tan Jāgaro

In this talk, Tan Jāgaro speaks about how our individual Dhamma practice ripples out into the world around us, in particular referencing his experience wandering monastic "tudong" and walking for alms these past several years.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!

Relational Intelligence: The Individual-Relational Paradox & Insight Dialogue | Gregory Kramer

In this session, Ajahn Kovilo and Ajahn Nisabho interview Gregory Kramer, founder of the Insight Dialogue Community. To learn more about Gregory, visit: https://gregorykramer.org/Brief Bio of Gregory:Gregory Kramer is the Founder and Guiding Teacher of the Insight Dialogue Community, and has been teaching Insight Meditation since 1980. He developed the practice of Insight Dialogue and has been teaching it since 1995, offering retreats in North America, Asia, Europe, and Australia. He has studied with esteemed teachers, including Anagarika Dhammadina, Ven. Balangoda Ananda Maitreya Mahanayaka Thero, Achan Sobin Namto, and Ven. Punnaji Maha Thero. Gregory is the author of: _Insight Dialogue: The Interpersonal Path to Freedom_ (2007), _Seeding the Heart: Lovingkindness Practice with Children_ (1997), _Meditating Together, Speaking from Silence: the Practice of Insight Dialogue_ (2003), and _Dharma Contemplation: Meditating Together with Wisdom Texts_ (2011). His newest book is _A Whole-Life Path: A Lay Buddhist’s Guide to Crafting a Dhamma-Infused Life_ (2020). Gregory lives in Washington State, in the Pacific Northwest of the United States.The link to the 6:45-7:30 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 – 7:30 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!

Tracing Back to Love: Forgiveness & Understanding Conditionality | Ajahn Nisabho

In this talk given during Clear Mountain's New Year's All-Night Vigil, Ajahn Nisabho speaks about how we can use an understanding of conditionality to help us forgive.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!

Losing All; Loving All: Rejoicing for the Sake of Liberation | Tan Tejadhammo

In this talk, Tan Tejadhammo, visiting from Wat Marp Jan, speaks about the body as not-self, and how to cultivate the brahmavihāra of muditā, or sympathetic joy, even towards those we have aversion to.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!

”The Supreme Conduct is Disharmony with the World”: Lojong Mind-Training | Jetsuma Tenzin Palmo Q&A

CHAPTERS:00:00 Intro00:22 Welcome00:40 Biography of Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo01:58 The Background of Atisha’s Lojong03:58 Atisha’s First Verse and Jetsunma’s Dream of the Prison of Samsara09:50 Viewing Atisha’s Lojong Training as “Precepts”11:55 The Glimpse of the Mind and the Divine Resonance of the First Verse – Is this equivalent to Theravada Stream Entry?14:14 Advice for anyone who thinks Stream Entry or the Glimpse of the True Nature of the Heart is beyond them16:38 Are there glimpses before this utterly life-transforming deep glimpse that may be Stream Entry?18:53 The Second Verse – Taming the Mind: What is the requisite effort for achieving Samatha? Retreats, approaches…22:44 The Second Verse – Altruism: And the Theravada Firebrand – working for one’s own benefit versus working for the benefit of others25:32 The Ninth Verse – Supreme Generosity: Who has embodied this most in your life?28:05 The Sixth Verse – The Supreme Conduct is Being in Disharmony with the World! How does one do this in a healthy manner?30:12 Living in Partnership with a Non-Dhamma Person – How to navigate beautifully and with a compassionate heart32:16 The Seventh Verse – The Continual Decrease of Disturbing Emotions: Is it feasible to never, ever be sad?34:19 Verses Fifteen and Sixteen – Hidden Flaws: Meeting your root teacher for the first time – What gave you confidence?38:22 The Fourth Refuge/Jewel in Tibetan Buddhism – The Guru: How necessary, safe, or feasible is it?42:27 Bridging the Theravada Concept of Nibbana and the Mahayana Concept of Bodhicitta46:24 The Twelfth Verse – Supreme Effort is “Letting Go” of Activity vs. Engaged Buddhism49:08 Jetsunma’s Comment on Atisha’s Lojong: “The Ego is Happy to Be Miserable…”50:05 The Goal to Save All Beings – Skillful Means or Beyond Language, in the Bodhicitta?53:06 Words of Guidance for Ajahns Nisabho and Kovilo55:33 Invitation to Himachal Pradesh and to Seattle56:13 OutroIn this session, Ajahn Kovilo and Ajahn Nisabho interview Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo about "Atisha's Lojong Root Verses on Training the Mind", delving into these powerful teachings as tools towards breaking free from the prison of saṃsara, and realizing ultimate Awakening.To support the nun's community Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo founded and guides, along with her other initiatives, please visit https://dgli.org/tsunma-projects/Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo's Biography: https://tenzinpalmo.com/https://www.facebook.com/jetsunmatenzinpalmohttps://www.instagram.com/jtenzinpalmo/https://www.facebook.com/dglnunneryhttps://www.instagram.com/dglnunnery/To support nuns not in the Himalayas, please visit https://allianceofnonhimalayannuns.org/**Atisha's Lojong Root Verses on Training the Mind**The Supreme understanding is to realize the meaning of selflessnessThe Supreme spiritual discipline is to tame ones own mindThe Supreme great quality is altruismThe Supreme oral instruction is to observe the mind at all timesThe Supreme remedy is to know that nothing has self natureThe Supreme conduct is to be in disharmony with the worldThe Supreme accomplishment is a continuos decrease of disturbing emotionsThe Supreme sign of accomplishment is a continuos decrease of wishes and wantsThe Supreme generosity is non attachmentThe Supreme ethical conduct is to pacify one’s mindThe Supreme patience is to take the lowest placeThe Supreme effort is letting go of activityThe Supreme concentration is not altering the mind.The Supreme wisdom is to not grasp onto anything as the selfThe Supreme spiritual teacher is the one who exposes our hidden flaws andThe Supreme instruction is the one that help us to strike at those flawsThe Supreme companions are mindfulness and alertnessThe Supreme inspiration is enemies, hindrances, disease and sufferingThe Supreme method is to be naturalThe Supreme way of benefiting is to help others enter the DharmaThe Supreme benefit is a mind that turns toward the DharmaYou can listen to a series of Jetsuma Tenzin Palmo's talks on the verses here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gS38s8prqQU