Clear Mountain Monastery Project

Ajahn Kovilo, a monastic teacher in the Thai Forest tradition, dives into fascinating Buddhist concepts. He explores the balance of radical introversion and extroversion, emphasizing the Middle Way. Ajahn introduces the idea of interoception, helping practitioners connect with their inner bodies, and discusses the concept of not-self through sensory awareness. He presents the Nine Breath Challenge, guiding listeners in finding peace through recitation. This session is a rich blend of theory and practice for those seeking deeper meditation insights.

Stephen Mugen Snyder, Roshi, is a Zen meditation teacher and founder of Awakening Dharma, with a rich background in multiple Buddhist traditions. He shares insights from his transformative Pau Auk retreat, detailing practical techniques for deepening jhāna and the essence of Cessation and Awakening. Mugen emphasizes the value of innate goodness, outlines the interplay of different meditation practices, and explores the relationship between Zen and Theravāda traditions, including the nuances of awakening qualities and the 'accordion effect' of personal growth.

Thubten Chodron, a Tibetan Buddhist nun and founder of Sravasti Abbey, brings nearly 50 years of wisdom to the discussion. She reveals how the self-centered mind is our true enemy and discusses the common deceptions it uses. With humor, she emphasizes the importance of seeing others' happiness as vital as our own. Chodron shares a captivating story about a horse in Tibet and offers practical techniques to alleviate anger and cultivate compassion, stressing the universal quest for happiness.

Neuroscientist and philosopher Sam Harris shares insights from his profound spiritual journey. He recounts how an MDMA experience ignited his path toward meditation and Eastern philosophy. Discussing his encounters with notable figures like Ram Dass and Poonjaji, Harris navigates the tension between gradual Vipassana practice and radical nondualism. He highlights the transformative Dzogchen teachings and the critical role of a teacher in pointing out nondual awareness, ultimately illustrating the practical value in alleviating psychological suffering.

In this talk, Bhante Sumitta, joining Clear Mountain on a special occasion with 13 other monastics, speaks about the power of mettā, or loving-kindness, in developing the 11 benefits described by the Buddha in the Mettā Sutta (AN 11.15 - https://suttacentral.net/an11.15/en/sujato?lang=en&layout=plain&reference=none&notes=asterisk&highlight=false&script=latin). Apart from helping one feel confident in any group, the practice can help one find forgiveness, and even approach death with serenity. Bio 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/ ---- To join via Zoom on Saturdays, visit Clear Mountain Monastery's website and click on the link for the Saturday Morning Meditation, Teaching, & Coffee Social (https://www.clearmountainmonastery.org/events/saturday/) To participate in the Saturday chanting, use the pdf found here: https://cdn.amaravati.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/30/Chanting-Book-Vol-1-Web.pdf 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 enlightening conversation, neuroscientist Sam Harris discusses his nuanced relationship with Buddhism, emphasizing that secularists can adopt Buddhist practices without faith. He shares insights on the role of ethical conduct in meditation and critiques mystical claims from some teachers. Sam also reflects on the complexity of concepts like rebirth, expressing an agnostic view while addressing ethical concerns surrounding purported psychic powers. His thoughts on non-dual wisdom, personal practice, and maintaining mindfulness amid fame invite listeners to consider deeper existential questions.

In this talk, Ayya Ānandabodhī speaks about Bio Ayya Ānandabodhī was born and raised in Wales, UK. Ayya first encountered the Buddha’s teaching in her early teens while reading about the Four Noble Truths. This was life-changing and from that moment she experienced a deep confidence in the Buddha’s insight and a wish to understand his teachings more deeply. At the age of 24, Ayya began monastic training at Amaravati Buddhist Monastery in England under the guidance of Ajahn Sumedho. Seventeen years later she moved to the USA with a wish to create more opportunities for women monastics. In 2011 she took full Bhikkhunī Ordination, joining the worldwide revival of the Theravāda Bhikkhunī Order. Ayya Ānandabodhī loves to share the Dhamma. Ayya’s practice is guided by early Buddhist scriptures, living in community, and through nature’s pure and immediate Dhamma. To learn more, visit https://parayanavihara.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 interview, Ajahn Kovilo and Ajahn Nisabho speak with revered Buddhist monk and longtime yogi Bhante Yogavacara Rāhula of Lion of Wisdom Meditation Center in Gaithersburg, Maryland about his wild journey from the hippie trail into Buddhist monastic life. Topics discussed include details about his early hippie days, glimpses into his book "One Night's Shelter: From Home to Homelessness", portraits of his life with Bhante G. (Gunaratana), the story of his name, his finding Buddhism through meditation, his finding yoga to support meditation, insights from stillness, his connection with Brazil and the Himalayas, and much more! To learn the Meditation-Yoga mentioned in this interview, see the guided video here: https://www.lionwisdom.org/yoga-for-meditation-guided-practice/ To learn more about Bhante Y. Rāhula in general, visit: https://bhanterahula.blogspot.com/ or https://www.lionwisdom.org/. Bhante's Biography: Bhante Rahula was born in California and ordained as a novice Buddhist monk in Sri Lanka in 1975 and took higher ordination in 1979. He lived in Sri Lanka ten years studying the Dhamma and practicing vipassana meditation with different teachers and living alone in secluded hermitages. He also studied yoga with Swami Gitananda in South India. His teaching integrates the practice of yoga and meditation. From 1987 until 2010. Bhante Rahula had resided at the Bhavana Society Forest Monastery in West Virginia with Bhante H. Gunaratana. Currently he is the principal teacher at the Pannasiha Lion of Wisdom Meditation center in Gaithersburg, Maryland. - 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!

Clear Mountain Upāsakā Guide: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1GtgmYKj-XrBaqLDhTeHP32TZe4PpHkLHSajrZyrgVj8/edit?usp=sharing In this session, Ajahn Kovilo and Ajahn Nisabho describe the Upāsakā lay Buddhist form in 13 (optional but awesome) moves: Introduction to the Upāsaka form (1) Take Refuge in the Buddha, the Dhamma, and the Sangha (The Essential Foundation) (2) Keep the Five Precepts (3) Meditate at Least 4 Hours Each Week (4) Keep a Weekly Uposatha ("Observance Day") Emphasizing Practice (5) Engage in a Twice-Monthly Confession with a Fellow Upāsaka (6) Create a Prominent Buddhist Shrine in Your House (7) Wear White in Buddhist Spaces, at Buddhist Gatherings, or on Holy Days (8) Learn Basic Buddhist Chants & Ceremonies (9) Read Part of a Sutta Every Day (10) Every Day, Engage in At Least One Act of Generosity (11) Stay at a Monastery At Least 3 Nights Each Year (12) Celebrate One’s Commitment Annually! (13) Take It Up a Notch! (Advanced Practices) --- 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 scholar and practitioner Dr. Sarah Shaw about Buddhism in academia in general and about breathing mindfulness in particular. Dr. Shaw's biography: Dr. Sarah Shaw is a faculty member and tutor at the University of Oxford, a fellow of the Oxford Centre for Buddhist Studies, and a visiting contemplative mentor at Brown University. She has taught and published numerous works on the history and practices of Buddhism, including "The Art of Listening: A Guide to the Early Teachings of Buddhism", "Mindfulness: Where It Comes From and What It Means", and "Breathing Mindfulness: Discovering the Riches at the Heart of the Buddhist Path". 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!