The annual 3-momth monastic retreat will begin Feb. 5th Monastic Winter Retreat Begins February 5th The Buddha required monastics to, for three months of every year, stay in one location and put aside traveling for a time. Though traditionally the Rains Retreat,...
Māra | Ajahn Nisabho In this talk, Ajahn Nisabho speaks about Māra, the Buddhist embodiment of death and spiritual stagnation, and how we can confront him in our lives and practice. Podcast & YouTube Play &...
Live from Clear Mountain | Dhamma Q&A with Ajahn Nisabho (1.25.2023) In this session, Ajahn Nisabho speaks about the Loss languages, the Buddhist Uposatha, how to navigate love and attachment, and more. Podcast & YouTube Play &...
27 Topics of Animal Talk | Ajahn Kovilo In this session, Ajahn Kovilo will give a deep dive on 27 topics of conversation that the Buddha warned practitioners to be wary of. See the “Pointless Talk Sutta” (SN 56.10...
Clear Mountain’s pilgrims, both in person and in heart, set a strong intention for our future, ending 2022 at the feet of the masters and under the seat of the Buddha. Here, they recount their experiences. Clear Mountain’s Aspiration Through the merit of our...
For a more detailed account of the journey, see the article, At the Feel of the Masters: Pilgrims’ Reflections from Thailand & Bodh Gaya. May all beings be...
Non-dual Theravada? | Ajahn Kovilo In this session, Ajahn Kovilo speaks on the concept and practice of non-duality (advayaṃ) as it features in the Pāli Canon. https://www.clearmountainmonastery.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Non-dual_Theravada_Ajahn_Kovilo.mp3 iTunes...
Finding the Relevant in the Far Out – Faith in Devas? | Aj. Kovilo, Aj. Nisabho, and Tan Tejadhammo In this session, Ajahn Kovilo, Ajahn Nisabho, and Tan Tejadhammo discuss how to relate to topics that come up in Buddhist circles (e.g. rebirth, psychic powers,...
Loving-kindness, Wisdom, and Liberation | Tan Tejadhammo In this talk, Tan Tejadhammo speaks about using the mind brightened through loving-kindness practice, to see into the not-self nature of the body, and move towards liberation....
Pilgrimage Roundup | Ajahn Kovilo, Ajahn Nisabho, and Fellow Pilgrims In this session, Ajahn Kovilo, Ajahn Nisabho, and fellow pilgrims discuss their December 2022 pilgrimage to Thailand and India....
Pilgrimage, Tudong, and Faith as Courage | Ajahn Ñāṇiko In this interview, Ajahn Nyaniko, abbot of Abhayagiri, speaks about his experience developing faith as a faculty and power of the heart through pilgrimage and the practice of wandering tudong....
Chanting “Itipi So” – Introduction | Ajahn Kovilo In this session, Ajahn Kovilo gives an annotated introduction to the traditional “itipi so” chanting. This video references: The Dhajagga Sutta:...
Ajahn Sādaro | What’s so bad about samsāra? In this session, Ajahn Sadaro discussed samsara. https://www.clearmountainmonastery.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Ajahn_Sdaro_Whats_so_bad_about_samsara.mp3 iTunes Google Play Spotify...
Is there a problem with Non-Self? | Ajahn Sādaro In this session, Ajahn Sadaro discussed if there is a problem with non-self. https://www.clearmountainmonastery.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Is_there_a_problem_with_Non-Self.mp3 iTunes Google Play Spotify...
Ajahn Sadaro | Practicing with Thinking In this session, Ajahn Sadaro went over practicing with thinking method. https://www.clearmountainmonastery.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Ajahn_Sadaro_Practicing_with_Thinking.mp3 iTunes Google Play Spotify...
Finding Morality in Meditation | Ajahn Sādaro & Ajahn Kovilo In this session, Ajahn Kovilo speak on the relationship between morality and meditation. Does more meditation necessarily improve morality?...
Nov. 30th – Meditation and Morality | Ajahn Kovilo & Ajahn Sādaro In this session, Ajahn Kovilo will be interviewing Ajahn Sādaro on the broad general topic of meditation and morality....
What is Buddhism? | Ajahn Sādaro Ajahn Sādaro, visiting from Australia, speaks about how Buddhism moves into a culture without losing its essence, and how we must all take responsibility for what it becomes....
Conditions have been coming together around Clear Mountain’s aspiration, and we have good tidings to share for December’s season! Clear Mountain Monastery & Friends of Clear Mountain Receive Official 501(c)3 Status! First, after a year of work, waiting, and enough...
Live from Clear Mountain | Dhamma Q&A with Ajahn Nisabho (11.23.2022) In this session, Ajahn Nisabho speaks about gratitude, faith, and Mara. https://www.clearmountainmonastery.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Live_from_Clear_Mountain_Dhamma.mp3 iTunes Google Play...
Clear Mountain’s first year-and-a-half gave rise to a community inspired by the shared vision of a monastic presence near Seattle. We look now towards finding a physical home for the monastery and the refuge it might become for all who need it. In 2007, Gene...
Ajahn Gavesako – Full Interview This is the full, 1:14:00 video interview of Ajahn Kovilo’s conversation/interview with Ajahn Gavesako of Sumedhārāma Monastrery....
Doubt & Uncertainty (Hindrances V) | Ajahn Nisabho In this talk, Ajahn Nisabho speaks about doubt, the fifth of the five hindrances to calm in meditation. https://www.clearmountainmonastery.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Doubt_Uncertainty_Hindrances_V.mp3 iTunes...
Finding Benefit in Loss Languages | Ajahn Kovilo & Ajahn Nisabho In this session, Ajahn Kovilo and Ajahn Nisabho discuss the topic of finding benefits in the four loss languages: 1) fear of scarcity; 2) fear of not being good enough; 3) fear of being overwhelmed;...
Anxiety and Remorse (Hindrances IV) | Ajahn Nisabho In this talk, Ajahn Nisabho speaks about restlessness and remorse, the fourth of the five hindrances to calm in meditation....
The Spiral Path – Transcendent Dependent Origination | Ajahn Kovilo In this session, Ajahn Kovilo speaks on transcendent dependent origination (lokuttara Paṭicca-sammuppāda) as discussed in “Breaking the Cycle” in Chapter 4 of P.A. Payutto’s Buddhadhamma:...
The Body’s Wisdom | Ayya Anandabodhi In this talk, Ayya Anandabodhi, co-founder of Aloka Vihara and a monastic of several decades, speaks about using the body to find wisdom....
Four Similes for Full-Body Awareness | Ajahn Kovilo In this session, Ajahn Kovilo gives four similes for full-body awareness in the context of not following feelings into craving as outlined in dependent origination....
Seeing Through the Veil of the Body | Ajahn Nisabho In this talk, Ajahn Nisabho describes how to use contemplation of the body to pierce the delusion of self. https://www.clearmountainmonastery.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Seeing_Through_the_Veil_of_the_Body.mp3...
10) Abandoning the Five Hindrances (MN 39) | Ajahn Kovilo In this session, Ajahn Kovilo speaks about abandoning the five hindrances as featured in The Greater Discourse at Assapura (MN 39 https://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/mn/mn.039.than.html)...
Sloth and Torpor (Hindrances III) | Ajahn Nisabho In this talk, Ajahn Nisabho speaks about sloth and torpor, the third of the five hindrances to calm in meditation. https://www.clearmountainmonastery.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Sloth_and_Torpor_Hindrances_III.mp3...
Live from Clear Mountain | Dhamma Q&A with Ajahn Nisabho (1.26.2022) In this Q&A, Ajahn Nisabho speaks about developing compassion for ourselves, the Four Noble Truths as a spiral staircase, and the cultivation of right-brain thinking....
The Causality of Conflict | Ajahn Kovilo In this session, Ajahn Kovilo speaks about the dependent origination of conflict as discussed in Chapter 4 of P.A. Payutto’s Buddhadhamma: https://buddhadhamma.github.io/dependent-origination.html...
11) Four Jhāna Similes (MN 39) | Ajahn Kovilo In this session, Ajahn Kovilo speaks about the four jhāna similes featured in The Greater Discourse at Assapura (MN 39 https://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/mn/mn.039.than.html)...
Desire & Aversion: Two Arms of Delusion (Hindrances II) | Ajahn Nisabho In this talk, Ajahn Nisabho speaks about the first two of the five hindrances, sensual desire and aversion, detailing the ways of understanding them that the Buddha lays out as well as their...
Eight Verses for Training the Mind I: “I Will Regard Myself as the Lowest of All” I Ajahn Nisabho In this talk, Ajahn Nisabho speaks about the first two of the “Eight Verses of Training the Mind”, an ancient and powerful teaching from the...
Finding the Real in the Digital Age | Ajahn Kovilo & Ajahn Nisabho In this session, Ajahn Kovilo and Ajahn Nisabho speak on finding reality in the digital age....
Love is a (Non-violent) Battlefield | Ajahn Nisabho In honor of Valentine’s day, Ajahn Nisabho speaks about how we can use romantic love as a pathway to develop a greater compassion, and also how we can cultivate romance with our meditation object....
It’s Māgha-Pūjā! (Buddhist All-Saints Day) – Come Learn the Ovāda-Pāṭimokkha! | Ajahn Kovilo In this session, Ajahn Kovilo gives a talk and brief Q&A focusing on Māgha Pūjā or “Sangha Day” – commemorating when the Buddha taught the...
Anger | Ajahn Nisabho In this talk, Ajahn Nisabho speaks about how we can confront anger with integrity, and how this humble act is the true route to a deeper loving-kindness. https://www.clearmountainmonastery.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Anger_Ajahn_Nisabho.mp3...
Eight Verses for Training the Mind II: “I Will See Ill-Natured Beings as a Treasure” I Ajahn Nisabho In this talk, Ajahn Nisabho speaks about the first two of the “Eight Verses of Training the Mind”, an ancient and powerful teaching from the...
Live from Clear Mountain | Dhamma Q&A with Ajahn Nisabho (10.12.2022) In this Q&A session, Ajahn Nisabho speaks about how to deal with pain, the four Buddhist levels of awakening, and more....
Live from Clear Mountain | Dhamma Q&A with Ajahn Nisabho (2.23.2022) In this Q&A, Ajahn Nisabho speaks about how to use mantra practice, ones obligation to one’s parents, and cultivating sacca, or truthfulness....
Eight Verses for Training the Mind III: “My Enemy Is My True Teacher” I Ajahn Nisabho In this talk, Ajahn Nisabho speaks about the verses 5-8 of the “Eight Verses of Training the Mind”, an ancient and powerful teaching from the Tibetan...
Community Celebration! | Ajahn Kovilo, Ajahn Nisabho, & the Clear Mountain Community In this session, the community celebrated the past year-and-half of growth, with individual members expressing their gratitude for what the group has given them. Sadhu!...
Addiction, War, & Quitting Your Job (Community Stories I) | Ajahn Nisabho, Katie, Steve, Bree, & Jen In this “Community Speaks” session, various members of the Clear Mountain community speak about how they came to the path....
The Pleasure of Blah | Ajahn Kovilo In this session, Ajahn Kovilo gives a guided meditation on neutral feeling – both when it is acknowledged and when it is ignored – and examines its relationship with dependent origination . See Chapter 4 of P.A....
Stream Entry | Ven. Nisabho Ajahn Nisabho describes the Buddha’s teachings regarding the first stage of awakening, or Stream Entry. https://www.clearmountainmonastery.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Stream_Entry_Ven_Nisabho_.mp3 iTunes Google Play Spotify...
13) Knowledge of Other’s Births (MN 39) | Ajahn Kovilo In this session, Ajahn Kovilo will speak about the second the “three knowledges” featured in The Greater Discourse at Assapura, that is, knowledge of the rebirth of others (MN 39...
Ayya Brahmavara – Full Interview This is the full, 1:15:00 video of Ajahn Kovilo and Ajahn Nisabho’s conversation/interview with Ayya Brahmavara. Read more about Ayyā Brahmavarā’s monastic residence, Dhammadharini, here:...
Spiritual Friendship (Community Stories II) | Holly, Wanida, Jon, Alison, Gail, & Kim In this “Community Stories” session, various members of the Clear Mountain community speak about how they came to the path and the value of spiritual friendship....
Paths of Kamma (MN 9, I) | Ajahn Nisabho In this talk, Ajahn Nisabho describes the first iteration of Right View described by Ven. Sariputta in the Sammādiṭṭhi Sutta (MN 9) – https://www.dhammatalks.org/suttas/MN/MN9.html...
Live from Clear Mountain | Dhamma Q&A with Ajahn Nisabho (9.28.2022) In this session, Ajahn Nisabho speaks about the pride, Dependent Origination, & the concept of “thusness”....
What We Feed the Mind (MN 9, II) | Ven. Nisabho In this talk, Tan Nisabho describes the second iteration of Right View, the Nutriments, described by Ven. Sariputta in the Sammādiṭṭhi Sutta (MN 9) – https://www.dhammatalks.org/suttas/MN/MN9.html...
Arahantship (MN 39) | Ajahn Kovilo In this fourteenth and final session of the Gradual Training series, Ajahn Kovilo speaks about the third of the “three knowledges” featured in The Greater Discourse at Assapura, that is, knowledge of the destruction of...
Ordaining as a Westerner in Chinese Chan | Dharma Master Jin Rou Shi In this session, Dharma Master Jin Rou Shi, a disciple of Master Hua, speaks about her experience finding an authentic path as a Westerner within the Chinese Chan tradition....
Why We Talk? Why We Listen? (AN 3.67) | Ajahn Kovilo In this Dhamma Talk, Ajahn Kovilo discusses “Topics for Discussion” as found in Anguttara Nikaya 3.67. Special Focus is given to the overarching principle: “It’s why we talk. And why we draw...
Finding Chan in Theravada? | Ajahn Kovilo & Ven. Nisabho In this session, Tan Nisabho explores with Ajahn Kovilo his experience with Chan (Zen) meditation and how this practice has been informed by and transforms his perspective on the Early Buddhist Text and life...
Finding Humility in Praise and Blame | Ajahn Kovilo & Ven. Nisabho In this session, Ajahn Kovilo and Tan Nisabho speak on trying to find humility in the midst of both praise and blame....
The Bird of the Breath | Ven. Nisabho In this talk, Tan Nisabho describes the practical steps of breath meditation outlined in the Anapanasati Sutta, or Discourse on Mindfulness of Breathing. The steps provide practical guidance in how to bring the mind to calm and a...
Right Speech 101: Not Lying (MN 41) | Ajahn Kovilo In this session, Ajahn Kovilo begins a series on Right Speech with the topic of lying as discussed in the Sāleyyaka (MN 41) and elsewhere....
Dhamma & the Multiverse of Madness (MN 9, III) | Ven. Nisabho In this talk, Tan Nisabho describes the third iteration of Right View, the application of the Four Noble Truths’ framework to Dependent Origination, as described by Ven. Sariputta in the...
An End to Uncertainty | Ajahn Nisabho In this talk, Ajahn Nisabho explains how we can use death contemplation, determination, meditation, and other tools to move past doubt and uncertainty....
Dhamma, Shrooms, and the Path Forward (Community Stories III) | Miles, Daniel, & Sofia In this “Community Stories” session, various members of the Clear Mountain community speak about how they came to the path....
Stress at Work & Moments of Grace | Ven Nisabho Q&A In this Q&A session, Tan Nisabho speaks about the different applications of mindfulness, mindfulness of mind, stress at work, and moments of grace....
Ajahn Sona – Dante, Existentialism, and the Buddhist Path of Transcendence This is the full, 64 minutes video interview of Ajahn Kovilo and Tan Nisabho’s conversation/interview with Ajahn Sona at Birken Forest Monastery. Visit Birken’s website here:...
Four Sources of Power in Mindfulness | Ven. Nisabho In this talk, Tan Nisabho speaks about the four sources of power of bare attention outlined by Nyanaponika Thera: http://www.buddhanet.net/pdf_file/powermindfulness.pdf...
Breathing, Music, & the Final Tetrads | Tan Nisabho In this talk, Tan Nisabho speaks about the the practice of ānāpānasati, or mindfulness of breathing, as outlined in the Buddha’s original teaching, using the analogy of music to deepen understanding....
Aggregates 5 and 1: Consciousness Knowing Body (5 Aggregates, I) | Ajahn Kovilo In this session, Ajahn Kovilo gives a talk and Q&A focusing on the fifth aggregate (viññāṇa-khandha) knowing the first aggregate (rūpa-khandha)....
Nine Conceits (Giving up “I am …”) | Ajahn Kovilo In this session, Ajahn Kovilo speaks on nine types of conceit (māna) – all of which the Buddha said were to be abandoned. As discussed in Chapter 3 of P.A. Payutto’s...
Asubha: Contemplation of the Unattractive Nature of the Body | Ven Nisabho In this talk, Tan Nisabho speaks about the practice of asubha, or contemplation of the unattractive nature of the body....
Ajahn Jotipalo – The Heart’s Image & Insights from Icon Painting In this interview, Ajahn Jotipalo, senior Abhayagiri-ordained monk, speaks with Ajahn Kovilo and Tan Nisabho about insights gained from icon painting....
Sangha Q&A Under Trees | Ajahn Kovilo, Bhante Suddhāso, Tan Nisabho, and Ayya Soma In this Q&A session, held July of 2022 in Volunteer Park, Ajahn Kovilo, Bhante Suddhāso, Tan Nisabho, and Ayya Soma answer questions from those gathered....
Pain is Inevitable; Suffering is Optional (5 Aggregates, II) | Ajahn Kovilo In this session, Ajahn Kovilo gives a talk and Q&A focusing on the second aggregate – feelings (vedanā-khandha) in their aspects of being pleasant (sukha), unpleasant (dukkha), and...
Finding Sukha in Dukkha and Stability in Anicca | Ajahn Kovilo & Tan Nisabho In this conversation, Ajahn Kovilo and Tan Nisabho discuss testing the three characteristics: Finding happiness amidst unsatisfactoriness, stability amidst impermanence, and stable...
Finding the Dhamma in Poetry | Ajahn Kovilo & Ven. Nisabho In this conversation, Ajahn Kovilo and Tan Nisabho discuss poetry in a Dhammic context: the Buddha’s use of poetry, Dhamma-inspired poetry, and secular poetry that is Dhammic....
Finding Consciousness in Daily Life | Ajahn Kovilo & Ven. Nisabho In this session, Ajahn Kovilo and Tan Nisabho discuss how to see and work with consciousness (viññāṇa) in daily life. This is part of our on going June discussion of the first chapter of...
Seeing Through the Body: 32 Parts, Charnel Ground, 4 Elements | Tan Nisabho In this talk, Tan Nisabho speaks about how to engage in the key Buddhist practice of body contemplation. Though infrequently taught in the West, seeing the not-self nature of the body is an...
The Joy of Missing Out: A Monastic Daylong Retreat on Letting Go The Joy of Missing Out: A Monastic Daylong Retreat on Letting Go https://www.clearmountainmonastery.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Joy_Of_Missing_Out.mp3 iTunes Google Play Spotify...
An Immense World – Arahant Perception | Ajahn Kovilo In this session, Ajahn Kovilo touches briefly on the wide world of animal perception (informed by the book “An Immense World” by Ed Yong) before asking the question: How much wider must be the...
Six Questions to Feel into Anattā (Not-Self) | Ajahn Kovilo In this session, Ajahn Kovilo gives a guided meditation/investigation into 6 scriptural aspects of anattā (not-self) mentioned in the “Scriptural Explanation” of the Anattā section of Chapter 3 of...
Nineteen Beautiful Shades of Mind | Ajahn Kovilo In this session, Ajahn Kovilo gives the month’s final talk and Q&A on the five aggregates (khandhā) with special focus on the 19 “universal beautiful mental factors” (sobhaṇasādhāraṇa-cetasikā)...
How to Like Your Family | Tan Nisabho In this talk, Tan Nisabho uses the teachings in the Akuppa Sutta, Discourse on the Unshakeable, to speak about how we can learn to love our family despite differences....
Polarized Politics & the Danger of Views | Tan Nisabho Q&A In this session, Tan Nisabho speaks about the the factors conducive to wisdom outlined in P.A. Payutto’s “Buddhadhamma” and how not working with them can lead to conflict and...
The Four Loss Languages | Tan Nisabho In this talk, Tan Nisabho speaks about the different ways each of us experiences loss, and how we can “lean into” our loss language to cultivate inner wellbeing....
Taming the Crocodile | Aj. Kovilo In this session, Ajahn Kovilo discusses sense restraint in the context of the Simile of the Six Animals (SN 35.247 – https://www.digitalpalireader.online/_dprhtml/index.html?loc=s.3.0.0.0.18.9.m). Framing the discussion as...
The Language of Light – A Conversation with Ajahn Jotipalo | Ajahn Kovilo & Ven. Nisabho In this conversation, Ajahn Kovilo and Tan Nisabho interview Ajahn Jotipālo on the topic of iconography, “sauntering, ” and Buddhist Holidays – with...
When You Feel You Can’t Meditate Anymore | Ven. Nisabho Q&A In this talk, Tan Nisabho answers questions that address issues from the use of ritual to what to do when samadhi becomes stale....
Feeling 3 Types of Dukkha | Ajahn Kovilo In this session, Ajahn Kovilo gives a guided exploration of 3 types of dukkha:1) dukkha-ariyasacca – the optional, clingy dukkha of the Four Noble Truths2) dukkha-vedanā – unpleasant physical dukkha 3)...
Contentment is Inner Cheesecake | Ajahn Kovilo In this talk, Ajahn Kovilo speaks about practicing to become disenchanted with sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and touch so as to know higher-quality contentment, happiness, and even pleasure within....
A Guided Tour of the Six Senses | Ajahn Kovilo In this talk and Q&A, Ajahn Kovilo gives a meditative tour of the eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body, and mind and discuses how they don’t have to be problematic....
Ayya Santussikā – Five Fears & Four Powers: Finding Safety in the Midst of Loss Ayya Santussikā, visiting Clear Mountain with Ayya Cittānandā, speaks about Sutta study, founding Karuna Buddhist Vihara, and the Buddha’s path to refuge....
Buddhism, Banksy, & the 4 Bases of Clinging | Tan Nisabho In this talk, Tan Nisabho speaks about the 4 Bases of Clinging, or Upādāna, and how to use them on the Path....
10 Methods for Observing Impermanence – Anicca | Ajahn Kovilo In this session, Ajahn Kovilo gives 10 methods for observing the truth of impermanence (arnica) right now. This is the first of three examinations of the three characteristics as discussed in Chapter...
Sister Mon – The Only Revolution: Protest, Practice, and Prayer In this interview, Sister Mon, a lifetime practitioner and nun who helped found several Dhamma communities, including Birken monastery, speaks about how she’s tried to embodied the Dhamma in...
Bhante Sanathavihari – Right Effort Bhante Sanathavihari, visiting from California, speaks about Right Effort. To find more of his teachings, visit https://www.youtube.com/c/SanathavihariLosAngeles...
Every Moment is a Choice | Nisabho Bhikkhu In this talk, Tan Nisabho speaks about every moment as a choice between Dhamma or its opposite. https://www.clearmountainmonastery.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Every_Moment_is_a_Choice_Nisabho_.mp3 iTunes Google Play...
