Finding Seclusion in Sangha | Ajahn Kovilo & Ven. Nisabho Q&A In this conversation, Ajahn Kovilo and Ven. Nisabho discuss how Sangha (community) can paradoxically nurture the essential mind of “seclusion” (viveka) praised by the Buddha. See for...
Ajahn Brahmali Q&A | Insights from Early Buddhist Texts … Held with Mettā In this conversation, Ajahn Kovilo and Ven. Nisabho speak with Ajahn Brahmali on the topic of “Early Buddhist Texts” – how to appreciate the insights to be found in...
Wise Attention III: Finding Our Polaris | Nisabho Bhikkhu In this series of talks, Tan Nisabho speaks on the various uses of Yoniso-manasikāra, or appropriate attention, found in the suttas and gathered in P.A. Payutto’s book, Buddhadhamma....
Wise Attention II: Forgetting the Garden for the Serpent | Nisabho Bhikkhu In this series of talks, Tan Nisabho speaks on the various uses of Yoniso-manasikāra, or appropriate attention, found in the suttas and gathered in P.A. Payutto’s book, Buddhadhamma....
Wise Attention I: Evil Lies in the Gaze that Sees Evil All Around | Nisabho Bhikkhu In this series of talks, Tan Nisabho speaks on the various uses of Yoniso-manasikāra, or appropriate attention, found in the suttas and gathered in P.A. Payutto’s book,...
Ajahn Punnadhammo Q&A – Dragons, Fairies, and Bear Awareness In this interview, Ajahn Punnadhammo answers questions on Buddhist Cosmology, Abhidhamma, the “Commentaries”, studying Pali, writing Buddhist fiction, consilience between Buddhist,...
Less Cowbell! Cultivating Mindfulness, Peace, and Balance on the Path | Tan Nisabho In this talk, Tan Nisabho speaks about how we can use mindfulness to balance the active in our meditation with the passive, and why Will Farrell should put down the cowbell....
Finding Joy in Austerity | Ajahn Kovilo & Ven. Nisabho In this conversation, Ajahn Kovilo and Ven. Nisabho discuss how the practice of austerity (intentionally simplifying one’s life and facing discomfort strategically) can paradoxically nurture joy. See for...
Enlightened Beings … They Exist! An Overlooked Aspect of Right View – Ajahn Kovilo In this session, Ajahn Kovilo discusses the often unexplored aspect of Mundane Right View: “There are contemplatives & brahmans who, faring rightly &...
Heartfulness: A Homage to Thich Nhat Hanh | Tan Nisabho & Beth Coyote A talk on imbuing the practice of mindfulness with the quality of love, a teaching embodied by the late teacher Thich Nhat Hanh....
Ajahn Suchart Q&A – Knowing Element & Deathless Element: The Path and Its End In this interview, Ajahn Suchart answers questions on a wealth of topics, including the nature of 4th jhana, the basics of mindfulness practice, and the relationship between...
Buddhist Self-Confidence? : A Conversation with Ajahn Kovilo and Ven. Nisabho In this conversation, Ajahn Kovilo and Ven Nisabho will discuss the concept of “self-confidence” in light of the Buddha’s teachings on not-self....
Concentration, Love, & Returning to the Rose Apple Tree | Ven. Nisabho Q&A In this Q&A session, Tan Nisabho speaks about levels of concentration and returning to the heart and the simplicity of our practice....
“The Conscious Perspective” Interview: Q&A with Ajahn Kovilo, Ven. Nisabho, & Gary Haskins An interview on the nature of practice and consciousness with Gary Lee Haskins of “The Conscious Perspective” –...
Thubten Chodron Q&A – 100,000 Bows Toward Full Awakening: Practicing with Compassion and Wisdom In this session, Ven. Thubten Chodron speaks on a variety of subjects, including the different modes of practice outlined in the Tibetan teachings, analytical...
5 Aggregates IV: Consciousness & the Magician | Ven. Nisabho In this talk, Tan Nisabho speaks about how we can use the khandhas, or loci of identity, described by the Buddha as means towards liberation of the heart....
Social Intelligence – Awareness & Facility (“Parisaññū” AN 7.64) with Ajahn Kovilo In this session, Ajahn Kovilo gives a talk and brief Q&A focusing on having “Social Intelligence” as discussed in the Dhammaññu Sutta (AN 7.64)....
Bhante Gunaratana Q&A – Liberation in This Very Life In this interview, Ven Bhante Gunaratana, fondly known as “Bhante G”, speaks about the different paths of practice one can pursue in life. ...
The Buddha required his monastics to, for three months of every year, stay in one location and put aside traveling for a time. Though traditionally the Rains Retreat, or vassa, takes place during India’s monsoon season, in the US and Europe it is generally observed...
Still Water & Calming the Hindrances: A Dhamma Talk with Nisabho Bhikkhu In this talk, Tan Nisabho explains the five hindrances to calm described by the Buddha as well as their antidotes....
In Pali, there is a specific word for the feeling you get when you see a YouTube video of a five-year old giving his new toy fire engine to a homeless child on the street. It’s the same emotion you get when you’re meditating with your non-Buddhist sibling...
Buddhist Self-Confidence? : A Conversation with Ajahn Kovilo and Ven. Nisabho In this conversation, Ajahn Kovilo and Ven Nisabho will discuss the concept of “self-confidence” in light of the Buddha’s teachings on not-self....
“Quantitative Intelligence” – The KAKe Test (“Mattaññū” AN 7.64) with Ajahn Kovilo In this session, Ajahn Kovilo gives a talk and brief Q&A focusing on “quantitative intelligence” (mattaññū) as discussed in the Dhammaññu...
Five Khandhas, Five Paths to Liberation (Part 3): A Dhamma Talk with Nisabho Bhikkhu In this talk, Tan Nisabho speaks about how we can use the khandhas, or loci of identity, described by the Buddha as means towards liberation of the heart....
Five Khandhas, Five Paths to Liberation (Part 2): A Dhamma Talk with Nisabho Bhikkhu In this talk, Tan Nisabho speaks about how we can use the khandhas, or loci of identity, described by the Buddha as means towards liberation of the heart....
Five Khandhas, Five Paths to Liberation (Part 1): A Dhamma Talk with Nisabho Bhikkhu In this talk, Tan Nisabho speaks about how we can use the khandhas, or loci of identity, described by the Buddha as means towards liberation of the heart....
Members of the community come to meet Tan Nisabho during his daily alms round at Pike Place Market in late November. Autumn came with a middle-aged woman who sat down with us one Saturday morning at a cafe and began to speak about her daughter’s death. The mornings...
Rev. Heng Sure Q&A – 800 Miles of Bowing & 6 Years of Silence: Devotion & Renunciation on the Path In this interview Rev. Heng Sure speaks about his the various “Dhamma Doors” that led him more deeply into the practice, from meeting his...
“Temporal Intelligence” – Buddhist Time Management (Kālaññū AN 7.64) with Ajahn Kovilo In this session, Ajahn Kovilo gives a talk and brief Q&A focusing on “temporal intelligence” (kālaññū) as discussed in the Dhammaññu Sutta (AN...
In honor of Ajahn Kovilo’s visit to Seattle this winter, Clear Mountain is holding its second daylong retreat on Sat. Jan. 8th, both in-person at Fauntleroy Church and online on Clear Mountain’s YouTube channel. The retreat will give the community a chance to gather...
The Dhammic Art of Not Arguing with Your Relatives: A Dhamma Talk with Nisabho Bhikkhu In this talk, Ven. Nisabho describes the six approaches towards achieving “a state without conflict” outlined by the Buddha in MN 139. Ranging from the profound to the...
Being Generous with Your Time: A Conversation with Ajahn Kovilo and Ven. Nisabho In this conversation, Ajahn Kovilo and Ven Nisabho discuss the meaning of the popular idea of “being generous with your time,” and will explore possible tensions with the...
This interview with Ajahn Kovilo – centering around his experience as a monastic university student – took place at Dharma Realm Buddhist University in October of 2021 and was originally published on their website, here. Venerable Ajahn Kovilo, a fully ordained...
Ajahn Sona Q&A – Did Socrates Have Jhāna?: Dhammic Influence & Resonance Through History In this interview, Ajahn Sona speaks about the threads of the Buddha’s teaching one finds throughout history and into the modern era, and the meaning of such...
Illuminating the Subconscious and Jedi Order Dynamics: Q&A with Nisabho Bhikkhu In this session Tan Nisabho answers questions regarding altering subconscious patterns to more far-reaching topics....
“Intrapersonal Intelligence” – Knowing Thyself in Buddhism (“Attaññū” AN 7.64) with Ajahn Kovilo In this session, Ajahn Kovilo gives a talk and brief Q&A focusing on “intrapersonal intelligence” (attaññū) as discussed in the Dhammaññu Sutta (AN 7.64)....
“Eight Thoughts of a Great Being” (Part 2): A Dhamma Talk with Nisabho Bhikkhu In this talk, Ven. Nisabho speaks about the second four of the eight thoughts of a great being described by the Buddha in AN 8:30. From developing mindfulness to delighting in...
“Eight Thoughts of a Great Being” (Part 1): A Dhamma Talk with Nisabho Bhikkhu In this talk, Ven. Nisabho speaks about the first four of the eight thoughts of a great being described by the Buddha in AN 8:30. From developing humility to fostering energy, specific...
After a brief break, the Saturday Morning Meditation, Teaching, & Coffee Social at Saint Mark’s Cathedral’s Bloedel Hall will again by livestreamed on Clear Mountain’s YouTube channel each Saturday from 9:30 -11 am. Online viewers will have the...
After several months of waiting, Clear Mountain’s steward organization, the CMM Exploratory Foundation, has been granted tax-exempt 501(c)(3) non-profit status by the IRS. As monastics and organizations composed of Sangha members cannot deal with money directly,...
The Four Love Languages of Buddhism: A Conversation with Ajahn Kovilo & Ven. Nisabho In this conversation, Ajahn Kovilo and Ven Nisabho will discuss the four “bonds of fellowship” (sangahavatthu), namely: 1) generosity, 2) kind words, 3) beneficial...
Due Covid-19 and other concerns, we’re eliminating the potluck from our weekly Saturday morning community gathering at Saint Mark’s Cathedral Bloedel Hall. Instead of sharing a meal after meditation and a teaching, participants will have the chance to speak about...
Ayya Santussikā Q&A – Building Faith Brick-by-Brick: How We Grow on the Path In this interview, Ayya Santussika speaks about her path to robes, and how we can build faith little-by-little in our lives....
“Monks, these four types of people who are capable, educated, and self-possessed, who have studied much, memorized the teachings, and have practiced the teachings according with the teachings make the assembly shine bright.What four? 1) A monk who is capable,...
“The Citadel of Dhamma” (AN 6.67): A Dhamma Talk with Nisabho Bhikkhu In this talk, Ven. Nisabho investigates an analogy the Buddha gives comparing the practice to a citadel, or fortress. How can we best fortify ourselves against the forces of the world?...
“Five Means of Dispelling Distracting Thoughts” (MN 20): A Dhamma Talk with Nisabho Bhikkhu In this talk, Tan Nisabho speaks about the Buddha’s instructions on ways one can transcend problematic thinking and how they can be applied to our daily...
Dhammic Intelligence: 6 Meanings of “Dhamma” (“Dhammaññū” AN 7.64) with Ajahn Kovilo In this session, Ajahn Kovilo gives a talk and brief Q&A focusing on having “Dhammic Intelligence” in as discussed in the Dhammaññu Sutta (AN...
So the True Teaching Might Last a Long Time: A Conversation with Ajahn Jayasaro In this interview, Ajahn Jayasaro answers questions about how to steward the monastic order and one’s own practice in an era of change. Touching on issues related to respect,...
Choosing a Teacher & the Patron Saints of Buddhism: Q&A with Nisabho Bhikkhu In this Q&A session, Ven. Nisabho speaks about how one can choose a teacher on the path and the distinctive qualities of the Buddha’s great disciples....
Genius Givers and Super Friends: A Talk by Ajahn Kovilo In this talk, Ajahn Kovilo speaks about the importance of kalyanamitta, spiritual friendship, and how we can look to the community surrounding us for people embodying spiritual powers....
The Domain of Meditation, Doubt, Death, & Ritual: Q&A with Tan Nisabho In this Q&A session, Ven. Nisabho speaks about a variety of subjects, from the constraints of a meditative approach to the use of ritual in overcoming skeptical doubt....
The World is Falling Apart in Its Eagerness to Reveal What Lies Underneath: A Dhamma Talk with Ven. Nisabho In this talk, Ven. Nisabho speaks about how the characteristic of impermanence can be seen as a guide on our path towards awakening....
Cleaning the Mind’s Movie Theater: Q&A with Ven. Nisabho In this Q&A session, Ven. Nisabho speaks about the importance of purifying mind states as opposed to simply addressing passing thoughts....
I arrived in Seattle in late June and took up residence in a small hut behind the house of a couple, Dave and Alison, who offered the space to me in an act of great generosity. Their home rests in a quiet suburb on the Kitsap peninsula, a short ferry ride across the...
Monastics in American Buddhism: An Interview with Bhikkhu Bodhi We have yet to see how the traditional monastic Sangha will fit into and influence Buddhism in the US. In this interview, Bhikkhu Bodhi shares his thoughts on the role of monastics in America and how...
Why Monks Don’t Vote: A Dhamma Talk with Nisabho Bhikkhu In this talk, Ven. Nisabho explains why the monastic Sangha remains outside of the political realm, and how to protect the recollection of the transcendent in our daily lives....
How We Use What We Use – Rejoicing in Less (MN 2): A Dhamma Talk with Ajahn Kovilo In this session, Ajahn Kovilo gives talk and brief Q&A focusing on “abandoning by using” as discussed in the Sabbāsava Sutta (MN 2):...
Our Waking Breath (Part 3): A Dhamma Talk with Nisabho Bhikkhu A detailed overview of breath meditation as described in the Ānāpānasati, or “Mindfulness of Breathing” sutta. New scholarship by Bhante Analayo and others points to an interpretation of the...
Our Waking Breath (Part 2): A Dhamma Talk with Nisabho Bhikkhu A detailed overview of breath meditation as described in the Ānāpānasati, or “Mindfulness of Breathing” sutta. New scholarship by Bhante Analayo and others points to an interpretation of the...
Our Waking Breath (Part 1): A Dhamma Talk with Nisabho Bhikkhu A detailed overview of breath meditation as described in the Ānāpānasati, or “Mindfulness of Breathing” sutta. New scholarship by Bhante Analayo and others points to an interpretation of the...
The Dhamma as Song: A Dhamma Talk with Nisabho Bhikkhu In this talk, Ven. Nisabho speaks to parallels between the Dhamma and music. https://www.clearmountainmonastery.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/The-Dhamma-As-Song-with-Ven.-Nisabho.mp3 iTunes Google Play Spotify...
It is Possible! (AN 2.19): A Dhamma Talk with Ajahn Kovilo Ajahn Kovilo gives a talk and brief Q&A focusing on the essence of faith in Buddhism as addressed in the “Wholesome Sutta”. What is it that the Buddha said was possible in Dhamma practice?...
It is Possible! (AN 2.19): A Dhamma Talk with Ajahn Kovilo Ajahn Kovilo gives a talk and brief Q&A focusing on the essence of faith in Buddhism as addressed in the “Wholesome Sutta”. What is it that the Buddha said was possible in Dhamma practice?...
Principles of Communal Harmony (MN 48): A Dhamma Talk with Nisabho Bhikkhu The Buddha gave clear instructions for how to live harmoniously in community. These six principles help guide practitioners in their personal and communal lives....
It is Possible! (AN 2.19): A Dhamma Talk with Ajahn Kovilo Ajahn Kovilo gives a talk and brief Q&A focusing on the essence of faith in Buddhism as addressed in the “Wholesome Sutta” (AN 2.19). What is it that the Buddha said was possible in Dhamma...
The Citadel, the Hymn, & the Beauty of Restraint: A Q&A with Nisabho Bhikkhu While restraint and structure are necessary for our practice, fixating on them can lead us to forget the refined states which are their aim....
Pain, Pleasure, & Beyond: A Dhamma Talk with Nisabho Bhikkhu Moving towards the more refined forms of happiness praised by the Buddha allows us to cultivate a sense of well-being that is more robust, stable, and sweet than all we’ve known before....
Dependent Origination & Ignorance: A Dhamma Talk with Nisabho Bhikkhu Our ignorance of the true nature of our experience leads us to grasp suffering time and again. Only through practice can we begin to see clearly and abandon the cause of stress....
Personality & Buddhist Practice: A Dhamma Discussion with Ajahn Kovilo and Ven. Nisabho In this session, Ajahn Kovilo and Ven. Nisabho will discuss “The Big Five” personality traits in relationship to Buddhist practice....
The Drum of the Deathless & Specific Conditionality: A Dhamma Talk with Nisabho Bhikkhu In numerous discourses, the Buddha points to the “stability” of the natural processes that lead to phenomena arising. As we practice, we begin to see the world as a...
A Monk’s Social Duties (DN 31): A Dhamma Talk and Q&A with Ajahn Kovilo This talk discusses the reciprocal relationship between monastics and laypeople with specific reference to the Sigālaka Sutta: https://suttacentral.net/dn31/en/sujato...
Buddhist Affirmations and Purity of Bodily Conduct: A Dhamma Talk with Ajahn Kovilo In this session, Ajahn Kovilo gives a talk and brief Q&A focusing on Buddhist Affirmations and Purity of Bodily Conduct as found in “The Greater Discourse at Assapura” (MN 39...
Purity of Purpose & the Eight Thoughts of a Great Being: A Dhamma Talk with Nisabho Bhikkhu In “The Eight Thoughts of a Great Being”, the Buddha elaborates on the qualities that characterize the pure heart, such as humility, mindfulness, and wisdom....
“The Greater Discourse at Assapura” (MN39) : a Q&A with Ajahn Kovilo In this session, Ajahn Kovilo answers questions about “The Greater Discourse at Assapura” (MN 39 https://suttacentral.net/mn39/en/sujato). Special emphasis is given to...
Getting Our Happiness Together | Ajahn Kovilo Ajahn Kovilo discusses a common pattern found in the Pali canon: the “Paths to Gladness”. In this framework, the Buddha lists various causes for a wholesome sense of gladness and relates how this mental ease...
Discipline and Dhamma; Temple and Light | Nisabho Bhikkhu Discipline in meditation and morality is an essential part of the spiritual path, but only if held in balance with the other qualities, such as creativity, rejoicing, and loving-kindness. Just as temple walls...
Wind Touching Water: Mindfulness of Breathing (Part Four) | Nisabho Bhikkhu A detailed overview of breath meditation as described in the Ānāpānasati, or “Mindfulness of Breathing” sutta. New scholarship by Bhante Analayo and others points to an...
Wind Touching Water: Mindfulness of Breathing (Part Three) | Nisabho Bhikkhu A detailed overview of breath meditation as described in the Ānāpānasati, or “Mindfulness of Breathing” sutta. New scholarship by Bhante Analayo and others points to an...
Wind Touching Water: Mindfulness of Breathing (Part Two) | Nisabho Bhikkhu A detailed overview of breath meditation as described in the Ānāpānasati, or “Mindfulness of Breathing” sutta. New scholarship by Bhante Analayo and others points to an...
Wind Touching Water: Mindfulness of Breathing (Part One) | Nisabho Bhikkhu A detailed overview of breath meditation as described in the Ānāpānasati, or “Mindfulness of Breathing” sutta. New scholarship by Bhante Analayo and others points to an...
Tudong Contentment | Ajahn Kovilo In this talk from November 2018 given at Abhayagiri Forest Monastery, Ajahn Kovilo speaks about his recent experience walking pilgrimage, or tudong, in Caliornia with Tan Nisabho....
Sun, Shade, & the Shifting Nature of Happiness on the Path | Nisabho Bhikkhu What we consider happiness, or “sukha”, shifts as we progress on the spiritual path. As we gain insight, old, more coarse, pleasures lose their appeal and the more sublime...
The Triple Gem, the Gulag, & a Canopy of Meaning | Nisabho Bhikkhu The “Triple Gem” of Buddhism – the Buddha, the Dhamma, and the Sangha – can also be thought about as undeluded awareness, truth, and its manifestation in the world. Such a...
Mourning & Daybreak | Nisabho Bhikkhu The path of practice and meditation allows us to approach and deal with the great loss inherent in life. Along with the First Noble Truth’s directive to turn towards and comprehend our pain, the Buddhist path provides...
A Buddhist Conception of Grace | Nisabho Bhikkhu The Four Noble Truths of Buddhism provide a framework for understanding the traditionally Christian concept of grace. Only by comprehending our suffering, the directive of the First Noble Truth, can we enter into the...
Memorization Tools Seminar - Abhayagiri 2019 | Ajahn Kovilo https://www.clearmountainmonastery.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Memory_Seminar_2019.mp3 “Whatever a person frequently thinks and ponders upon,that will become the inclination of their mind.” MN 19 I) The...
My plan was to walk from Escondido, a town South of LA, to Metta Forest Monastery by a circuitous route totaling about ninety miles and passing through Thich Nacht Hahn’s Deer Park Monastery. Things started badly. Greyhound kindly scheduled my trip to Escondido...
While I had expected tudong, the traditional practice of Buddhist monks wandering on foot, to be a challenge in rural Australia, I didn’t think the first day of my monastic walkabout would end in an ambulance. As Tan Panya, my traveling companion, and I sit in...
