Clear Mountain
An Aspiring Buddhist Forest Monastery in the Greater Seattle Area
Clear Mountain
An Aspiring Buddhist Forest Monastery in the Greater Seattle Area
A New Center of Dhamma Practice in the Pacific Northwest
The aim of Clear Mountain is the founding of a Buddhist monastery and community. In Theravāda Buddhism and within the Early Buddhist Texts, the forest tradition represents a return to the simple way of life taught by the Buddha. Monastics aspire to live as the early disciples did: dwelling in the forest, studying the teachings, and devoting themselves to meditation. Monks, nuns, and laity exist in a relationship of mutual generosity, in which they support one another on the Buddha’s path towards complete liberation of the heart — Nibbāna.
From 2021 to 2026, Clear Mountain’s first monastics, Ajahn Kovilo and Ajahn Nisabho, generally lived on the quiet periphery of Seattle, going for alms most mornings at Pike Place market. On Saturday mornings, those interested gathered at Amistad School next to Saint Mark’s Cathedral for meditation and teaching, and a community based on mutual generosity took root.
In spring of 2026, after years of searching, Clear Mountain agreed to the purchase of [after April, “acquired”] 90 acres of forested land in North Bend, only 40 minutes from Seattle. The property, both close enough to remain accessible to those in the city and secluded enough to allow monastic retreat, represents an ideal location for the monastery to grow.
Clear Mountain envisions a flourishing community of up to 20 monastics welcoming to the public in a variety of ways: pūjas (chanting and meditation); Sutta and Pāli study; online and public teachings; daily meal offerings; observance of the Buddhist holy days; visits from guest monastics; and retreats. Apart from a large temple able to hold several hundred people on celebration days, the monastery vision includes a multi-purpose hall, residence for visiting bhikkhunis, gardens, and forest paths—a refuge of peace for generations.
To learn more about Clear Mountain’s vision, visit our Land & Building page. To get involved, attend our virtual or local events, follow us on YouTube and Facebook, join our Discord and WhatsApp communities, or sign up for our newsletter. Welcome!
Events & Calendar
Regular Events
~Daily Zoom Meditation – 8 hr/day RETREAT SPECIAL!~
Weekdays: 3:30-7:30am | 11:00am-1:00pm | 3:45-5:45pm PT
Weekends: 3:30-5:30am | 4:45-5:45pm (Sat); 6-7 pm (Sun) PT
Wednesday Evening Teaching & Discussion (Online)
Wed. 6:00 – 7:45 pm PT
Saturday Morning Meditation, Teaching, & Coffee Social (Online & In-Person)
Sat. 9:30 – 11 am PT
Sunday Evening “Mission Majjhima!” Sutta Teaching & Discussion (Online)
Sun. 5:00 – 6 pm PT
Latest Newsletters
Latest Writings
“When I met Clear Mountain Monastery, I walked into a me-shaped hole”: Ven. Kunga’s Seattle Reflections
Ven. Kunga, visiting from Sravasti Abbey, speaks about her experience with Clear Mountain during the annual Almsgiving Celebration in June of 2025. The community’s warmth and welcome were heralds of a greater summer!
The Wellbeing Cascade: Natural Passages Through Pāmojja
An exhaustive survey of all instances of “the wellbeing cascade” in the Pāli Canon. This “cascade” describes the causality of wellbeing (pāmojja), and the subsequent development of more and more refined states of joy (pīti), tranquility (passadhi), and happiness (sukha) resulting in concentration (samādhi) and awakening (Nibbāna).
In the Theravāda Buddhist tradition there exists a lovely, deeply rooted interdependence—built on respect for practice and generosity—between the monastics and the lay community. Your open-hearted support allows monks the opportunity to devote their lives to meditation and right practice (sammā-paṭipadā) in a forest refuge while those in the lay community benefit from their teachings. Clear Mountain also aspires to provide a place of retreat for sincere practitioners and center of practice for the wider Buddhist community. Whether donating funds, giving daily alms, or volunteering, there are many ways in which one may lend support. We rejoice in your generosity! Sadhu!
May all beings be well.
Winter ’25: New Beginnings
This winter brought its own warmth as we welcomed many monastic friends, celebrated ordinations & the new year, and explored the monastery’s potential new home in North Bend near Seattle!
Fall ’25: A Season of Spiritual Friendship at Clear Mountain
Summer and autumn brought all the colors of kalyāṇa-mitta (spiritual friendship), with a kuti-building trip to Karuna Buddhist Vihara, Ajahn Kovilo’s birthday celebration, and visits from Ayya Anandabodhi, Ajahn Munissara, and other monastic friends of Clear Mountain!
June & July ’25: A Sunny Start to Summer for Clear Mountain
June and July brought so much to be grateful for—we had our annual Almsgiving Ceremony with Luang Por Sona and Ayya Anandabodhi, along with visits from other senior monastics, including Luang Por Koon and Luang Por Damrong. And, we made an offer on land!