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April ’24: Passaddhi Vihara, Ajahn Jayasaro, CM3 Robe Offering, & Much More!

Apr 21, 2024 | Newsletters

Dear Clear Mountaineers,

The past three months, spent in the annual Winter Retreat, have been a true blessing. The support of the community in protecting our seclusion during this period allows us to cultivate formal practice and preserve the core of the monastic life we ordained to hold. To all those who provided food, care, support, and encouragement – Sadhu! We rejoice in your goodness!

Now, spring brings with it a season of activity and growth. Apart from the upcoming early May visit from Ajahn Jayasaro, one of the most esteemed monks in the Thai Forest Tradition, Clear Mountain is also anticipating a visit from Luang Por Pasanno for its annual Robe Offering Ceremony in late June (not to mention retreats in Twisp, Spokane, and an interfaith Taize service at Saint Mark’s!).

Additionally, Ajahn Kovilo, finally finished with his studies in California, will arrive in Seattle “for keeps” in June – we’re so happy to finally have him here in-person full-time! (Ajahn Nisabho, writing this, is especially grateful : ) The community is so blessed by the continuous presence of such a kind, humble, and learned monk (with a particular penchant for puns which has given us the timeless phrase, “two feed to birds with one scone”). Welcome, Ajahn!

The circle of blessing widens further, however, with the arrival and growth of two other monastic communities in the region. Ayya Anandabodhi and Sāmaṇerī Juṇhā, happy with their past year in Port Townsend, have taken a new lease on a house with the intention of settling deeper into the community. Additionally, Ayya Suvijjānā & Ayya Niyyānika, both with strong ties to the Pacific NW, intend to establish a hermitage—Passaddhi Vihāra —in Olympia, Wa. We hope the community will help welcome our monastic sisters to their new home (ways to support them can be found at the Passaddhi Vihāra website).

Such constellation of the fourfold Sangha in this age is virtually unprecedented. Whatever kammic currents have guided us here find their source in wellsprings deeper than we can know. But what a gift to be drawn by them!

In the midst of all of this, Clear Mountain continues its search for a home. The monastery hopes to find property within 40 minutes of Capitol Hill, at least 15 acres, preferably adjacent to protected forest. Such a location would allow the monastery to remain accessible to the wider community in Seattle while preserving the monastics’ seclusion. Over $1 million has already been raised or pledged towards the effort, and the community has recited over 1 million Recitations of Refuge in hope for a home. To learn more, see the Land and Building Fund webpage. Additionally, if you know of potential properties that meet the above criteria, feel free to email friendsofclearmountain@gmail.com!

We rejoice in the growth of such a beautiful community, and feel so grateful to be walking this path with all of you.

May all beings be well!

A new monastic dwelling (vihara) is in the process of arising in Western Washington with sights on the Olympia area! Two bhikkhunis, Ayya Suvijjana and Ayya Niyyanika, are hoping to establish this new monastic residence, the Passaddhi Vihara, adding to the growing constellation of monastics around Seattle (the family now includes Clear Mountain, Ayya Anandabodhi and Samaneri Junha in Port Townsend, and now this!). To learn more about their vision, see Clear Mountain’s recent interview with them: Passaddhi Vihāra – A Dwelling of Tranquility or visit the vihara’s website, https://passaddhivihara.org/. Their arrival represents another beautiful addition to Dhamma in the region, and we hope all will welcome them with us!

 

The two plan to arrive in Seattle Wednesday, April 24th, and will remain in the city for a week, using the time to look towards lodging possibilities in Olympia, and will be present at Clear Mountain’s Saturday gathering on April 27th, and at alms Monday, April 29th. If you know of potential dwellings in Olympia, or would like to assist the project in any way, please visit the website below. Sadhu!
Passaddhi Vihara Website

We invite you to a Dhamma talk followed by questions & answers with Ajahn Jayasāro at University Friends Meeting, on Friday evening, May 3rd, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. The event, co-hosted by Seattle Insight Meditation Society and Clear Mountain Monastery, represents a growing friendship.
Event Listing

Join us for a morning of meditation, Dhamma reflections, and questions & answers with honored guest Ajahn Jayasāro! Known worldwide for his lucid and compassionate teachings, Ajahn Jayasāro will be joining Clear Mountain for a special extended teaching Saturday, May 4th. 
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Join us in Vancouver, B.C., for a Ajahn Jayasaro’s final event in the Pacific NW, an evening Dhamma talk and Q&A at the VanDusen Botanical Gardens. We look forward to seeing you all there (especially our northern neighbors!)
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Clear Mountain and Saint Mark’s Cathedral invite you to a special night of interfaith harmony at St. Mark’s Cathedral in the spirit of Taizé with— a gathering of meditation, chants from the Pāḷi Canon, Christian song, and readings from both traditions. The gathering explores parallels between Christian “Fruits of the Spirit” and traditional Buddhist virtues. Inspired by Thich Nhat Hanh’s “Living Buddha, Living Christ”, the gathering represents the friendship of the Clear Mountain & Saint Mark’s communities.”

From St. Mark’s Cathedral:
“Tonight’s prayer service meditates on the parallels between each “fruit of the Spirit” and a corresponding “Dhamma” from Buddhist scripture. Each section is prefaced with a brief background to the concepts, and one Reading and one Chant are paired with each fruit of the Spirit or Dhamma.”
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Though the Buddha repeatedly emphasized joy, or pāmojja, as an essential aspect of the path to awakening, many of us find our sitting practice lacking brightness. By exploring different routes to joy (paths to pāmojja), especially those emphasizing meditation on breath, loving-kindness, and objects of faith, the retreat aims to help participants rediscover happiness in their practice.

 

Ajahn Nisabho and Ajahn Kovilo will offer talks, meditation instructions, and interviews. This retreat is suitable for meditators of all experience levels. Join for two days of meditation and teachings, 9 am – 5 pm on Saturday, June 8th, and Sunday, June 9th, at the Twisp Valley Grange in Twisp, WA (344 W 2nd Ave, Twisp, WA).

 

Note that Clear Mountain’s weekly Saturday gathering in Seattle will still be held as usual with Ajahn Kovilo present.
Event Listing

Join us for a Dhamma talk followed by questions & answers with Luang Por Pasanno, Ajahn Kovilo, & Ajahn Nisabho at University Friends Meeting, on Friday evening, June 28th, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. The event, co-hosted by Seattle Insight Meditation Society and Clear Mountain Monastery represents a growing friendship.
Event Listing

Join the Clear Mountain community from 9:30 am – 2 pm on Sat. June 29th, in celebrating the past three years of a growing community, gathering support for the next phase of the monastery, and welcoming Luang Por Pasanno, founder of Abhayagiri Buddhist monastery, Ayyā Ānandabodhī co-founder of Aloka Vihara, along with other visiting monastics (to be announced)!
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Join Ajahn Nisabho for a day of meditation and teachings, 9 am – 5 pm on Saturday, July 6th, at Harmony Woods Retreat Center outside of Spokane, WA (11507 S Keeney Rd, Spokane, WA). Note that Clear Mountain’s weekly Saturday gathering in Seattle will still be held as usual. The retreat will be held in honor of Chris Nerison, a devoted supporter of Clear Mountain, and the retreat’s original organizer, who just passed.
Event Listing