Between Two Worlds: A Deep Lay Life Lived in the Monastery | Debbie Stamp Q&A

In this session, Ayya Santacittā of Aloka Earth Room (https://alokavihara.org/aloka-earth-room/), speaks about the traditional four vipallāsas (distortions across perception, mind, and view) and proposes a "fifth vipallāsa"—the illusion of separation from the Earth—urging an embodied, earth-connected Buddhist practice rooted in interdependence, ecological awareness, and cultural reckoning. 00:00 Dhamma Talk 32:56 Diné Elder's Teaching on Earth Bodies 35:54 Insight into Non-Self vs. Non-Duality 38:52 Connecting with First Nations in Western Culture 46:35 Sending Loving-Kindness Into the Earth (from the Anuruddha Sutta MN 127: https://suttacentral.net/mn127/en/sujato?lang=en) Ayya Santacitta's Biography: Santacitta Bhikkhuni was born in Austria and did her graduate studies in Cultural Anthropology, focusing on dance, theatre and ritual. She also worked in avant-garde dance theatre as a performer and costume designer. In 1988 she met Ajahn Buddhadasa in southern Thailand, who sparked her interest in Buddhist monastic life. She trained as a nun in England and Asia from 1993 until 2009, primarily in the lineage of Ajahn Chah. Since 2002, she has also received teachings in the lineage of Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche. Santacitta Bhikkhuni co-founded Aloka Vihara in 2009 and received Bhikkhuni Ordination in 2011. She is committed to Gaia as a living being and resides at [Aloka Earth Room](https://alokavihara.org/aloka-earth-room/), currently located in San Rafael, CA. 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!

A conversation with Ajahn Appamādo, abbot of Sumedhārāma Monastery in Ericeira, Portugal (https://sumedharama.pt/en/home-en/). 00:00:00 Welcome and Introduction 00:01:52 Faith Moments Leading to Buddhism and Monasticism 00:09:04 The Role of Thailand and the Thai Forest Tradition 00:12:20 Suttas That Resonate Deeply 00:16:15 Practical Steps to Access Open Awareness 00:20:23 Overcoming Ill Will in Community Life 00:24:13 Balancing External Asking and Internal Reflection 00:28:49 Communal Structures for a Harmonious Monastery 00:31:42 Tapping into Boundless Space and Consciousness 00:36:55 Maintaining Brightness and Presence in Spacious Practice 00:40:43 How Taking on the Role of Abbot Changes Practice 00:48:26 Building Cohesion and Identity in European Monasteries 00:52:23 The Meaning and Impact of Being a "Samaṇa" 00:54:53 Discipline as a Pathway to Freedom 01:00:42 Aligning Everyday Lay Life with the Dhamma Biography of Ajahn Appamado: Ajahn Appamado was born in Portugal in 1976. Studying Marine Biology and Environmental Engineering at the University of Faro, his research and spiritual approach to life came to take an increasingly prominent role eventually leading him to take an interest in Western and Eastern meditation and spiritual practices. Becoming increasingly curious about the Ajahn Chah lineage of Theravada Buddhism, Ajahn Appamado visited Amaravati Monastery in England in 2005 and went on to ordain as Bhikkhu in 2009, with Luang Por Sumedho as his preceptor. After several years at Amaravati, Ajahn Appamado moved back to Portugal, serving an integral role along with Ajahn Vajiro the founder and first abbot, in the establishment of the Sumedharama Buddhist Monastery. Earlier this year, with Ajahn Vajiro stepping down from role as abbot, Ajahn Appamado has taken up the mantel and now serves as the Abbot of Sumedharama. 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 asks us to reflect on what each of the three refuges means to us; and examines the first three of the twelve steps of AA in light of the three characteristics (impermanence, unsatisfactoriness, & not-self) and in view of the Triple Gem (Buddha, Dhamma, Saṅgha): 1. We admitted we were powerless over impermanence, unsatisfactoriness, and not-self— and that our lives had become unmanageable. 2. Came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. 3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of the Triple Gem, as we understood them. 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 Q&A, Ajahn Kovilo and Ajahn Nisabho offer advice for those interested in exploring monastic life. From finding the correct monastery to uncovering joy in a life of renunciation, the lessons offered for those seeking robes remain relevant even for one living a lay life of devoted practice. Resources Mentioned - Thus Should You Train Yourselves: https://www.clearmountain.org/2024/06/11/thus-should-you-train-yourselves/ - Buddhist Monastic Code I: https://www.dhammatalks.org/vinaya/bmc/Section0001.html - 10 Subjects for Frequent Recollection: https://amaravati.org/audio/recollection-ten-subjects-for-frequent-recollection-by-one-who-has-gone-forth-pali-and-english-page-48-50-2/ - Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery: https://www.abhayagiri.org/ - Sāsanārakkha Buddhist Sanctuary: https://sasanarakkha.org/ - Wat Pah Nanachat: https://www.watpahnanachat.org/ - Wat Marp Jan: https://watmarpjan.org/en/ - Empty Cloud Monastery: https://emptycloud.org/ - Karuna Buddhist Vihara: https://www.karunabv.org/ - Dhammadharini: https://www.dhammadharini.net/ - Sati Saraniya: https://satisaraniya.ca/ - Canmore Theravāda Buddhist Community: https://www.canmoretheravadabuddhism.ca/ ----- The link to the 7:00-7:45 pm Zoom session following the livestream may be found on the event listing at https://www.clearmountainmonastery.org/events/wednesday/. 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 - 11:00 am PT, Online & In-Person) - Sunday Evening “Mission Majjhima!” Sutta Teaching & Discussion (5:00 - 6:00 pm PT, Online) See https://www.clearmountainmonastery.org/ or visit https://linktr.ee/clear_mountain_monastery for details. Welcome!

In this talk, Ajahn Nisabho speaks about the critical imbalance underlying many Western and modern practitioners' approach to practice. When we lean into a narrow, ascetic vision of practice without understanding the Buddha's emphasis on joy, we risk the heart's withering. To nourish the mind, the Buddha provided us powerful teachings on generosity, faith, community, and even creativity. Chapters 00:00 Introduction & Bringing Nourishment to the Heart 01:24 Thanatos & The Super-Ego: The Trap of Practice Violence 03:26 Returning Home: Intuiting Truth vs. Excessive Renunciation 06:05 The Dry Heart (Chetokhila Sutta) 09:06 Gladness as the Basis for Samadhi 12:39 Cultural Context & "Acid Mixed with Acid" 18:07 Chanda (Zeal) and the 19 Beautiful Qualities of Mind 20:41 A Holistic Ecosystem: Generosity, Chanting, & Dharmanusati 25:43 The Role of Art & Beauty on the Path 37:49 Q&A & Story: Walking Out of the Mountains with Guan Yin -------- 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!

A conversation with Debbie Stamp, upāsaka steward and founding force of Abhayagiri Forest Monastery (www.abhayagiri.org) 00:00:00 Welcome and Introduction 00:02:36 Debbie's Role at Abhayagiri 00:03:13 Moments of Faith Leading to Monastery Life 00:06:29 Early Faith Experience in Catholicism 00:07:38 Transition from England to Rural California 00:09:22 Meeting and Connecting with Luang Por Pasanno 00:15:37 Navigating the Space Between Monastery and Lay Life 00:18:10 Working Internally with Belonging and Suffering 00:25:05 Advice for Women Considering Ordination 00:27:23 Understanding What It Means to Follow the Heart 00:39:27 Working with Anger and Perspective Shifts 00:41:46 Thriving as a Female Layperson in a Male Monastic Space 00:48:08 Personal Relationship to the Triple Gem 00:51:29 Meaning and Reflection on "Anicca Vata Saṅkhāra" 00:54:23 Influential Teachers and Expressions of Gratitude 00:58:15 The Dhamma of Caregiving and Family End-of-Life Support 01:07:10 Gratitude and Reflections on 30 Years of Abhayagiri --- 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 Q&A session, Ajahn Sona speaks about how to hold the fraught political landscape of the present, the significance of our daily actions and intentions as "political" acts, the karma of voting (or not!), the cultivation of deep concentration, and more. For more information about Ajahn Sona and Birken Forest Monastery, visit: https://birken.ca/ Ajahn Sona Biography: Ajahn Sona is a first-wave Western Theravada-ordained monk and the Abbot of Birken Forest Buddhist Monastery (‘Birken’). With over thirty years in the robes, he is now referred to as ‘Luang Por’ (‘Venerable Father’) by his closest disciples – a traditional honorific for senior monks of the Thai Forest Tradition. After several years of practice as a lay hermit, the young Bhikkhu Sona took full monastic ordination in 1989 with Bhante Henepola Gunaratana Mahathera at the first Theravada forest monastery in the United States (The Bhavana Society, West Virginia). He later switched to the Thai Forest Tradition and trained at Ajahn Chah’s monasteries in northeastern Thailand for several years. Ajahn Sona now draws on both the Sri Lankan and Thai scholastic and meditative traditions in his teachings, in addition to his modern western sensibilities. His pre-monastic education in philosophy, humanities, and classical Western music have aided him in understanding the Western psyche and in establishing paradigm bridges between East and West. Ajahn Sona is also deeply interested in the ecological movements of this environmentally critical time, both at the practical and philosophical levels. The off-grid monastery, which he has carefully curated over the last two decades, employs the latest in green design technologies and principles ----- 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 Q&A, done with the Pali Canon - Majjhima Nikaya - Book Club (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69n9ObQ6zIo), Ajahn Nisabho answers questions regarding truth as revealed in three Suttas, the Cāṅki Sutta (MN 95), the Subha Sutta (MN 99), and the Dhammacetiya Sutta (MN 89). Using the three discourses as a framework, we see how the Buddha taught us to protect, realize, and honor truth. To find out more about the Pali Canon - Majjhima Nikaya - Book Club, visit https://majjhima.club/en/. - Cāṅki Sutta (MN 95): https://suttacentral.net/mn95/en/bodhi?lang=en&reference=none&highlight=false - Subha Sutta (MN 99): https://suttacentral.net/mn99/en/sujato?lang=en&layout=plain&reference=none&notes=asterisk&highlight=false&script=latin - Dhammacetiya Sutta (MN 89): https://suttacentral.net/mn89/en/sujato?lang=en&layout=plain&reference=none&notes=asterisk&highlight=false&script=latin You can find summaries of these Suttas, and more, on Clear Mountain's Mission Majjhima Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLomY-Sp4p5YsIVG0DmvJhUcR6YaXR_3wf Chapters 00:00 - Introduction & Ordination Story 07:47 - Living a Life Worthy of Death 11:44 - Why the Majjhima Nikaya? 14:46 - MN 95: Epistemic Humility & Knowing the Truth 44:20 - MN 99: Intention & Lay Practice 54:40 - MN 89: King Pasenadi & Monuments to the Dhamma 58:34 - Q&A: Do You Need Jhanas for Enlightenment? 01:04:40 - Q&A: Navigating Difficult Sutta Passages 01:08:58 - The Rare Opportunity of the Dhamma & Closing Blessing ---- 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!

A conversation with Venerable Robina Courtin (https://robinacourtin.com/): 00:00:00 Introduction 00:02:13 Meaning of the saying "Everything exists on the tip of a wish." 00:03:08 Wish that brought Venerable Robina into robes 00:05:52 Inspirations that sparked faith in Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa 00:08:10 Concept of the guru as a fourth jewel in Tibetan Buddhism 00:08:52 Reasons for feeling safe with two male Tibetan teachers 00:12:08 Evolution and deepening of the relationship with teachers over decades 00:17:15 Origins and physical experience of prostration practice 00:21:55 Recitations/commitments accompanying prostrations in different traditions 00:22:54 Working with inmates through the Liberation Prison Project 00:28:48 Parallels between incarcerated individuals and the four heavenly messengers 00:30:42 Transitioning from feminism into a male-dominated monastic hierarchy 00:31:09 Navigating monasticism and advice for women entering spiritual traditions 00:36:20 Differences between ordination and lay life across Buddhist schools 00:40:09 Central role of karma and addressing concerns about victim blaming 00:43:34 Explaining karma in relation to innocent suffering and everyday good fortune 00:45:40 "Hinayāna"? 00:46:24 Comparing the scope and levels of different Buddhist Vehicles 00:52:14 Nature and reality of deities, Bodhisattvas, and Green Tara 00:57:11 Relating to diverse, wrathful, and peaceful deity manifestations 00:59:24 Meaning, mechanics, and karmic benefits behind water bowl offerings 01:02:29 Applying Dharma to world news without falling into depression or panic 01:05:25 Practical morning intentions and simple daily vows for lay practitioners Biography of Venerable Robina Courtin: Ordained since the late 1970s, Ven. Robina has worked full time since then for Lama Thubten Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT). Over the years she has served as editorial director of Wisdom Publications, editor of Mandala Magazine, executive director of Liberation Prison Project, and as a touring teacher of Buddhism. Her life and work with prisoners have been featured in the documentary films Chasing Buddha and Key to Freedom. ----- The link to the 7:00-7:45 pm Zoom session following the livestream may be found on the event listing at https://www.clearmountainmonastery.org/events/wednesday/. 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 - 11:00 am PT, Online & In-Person) - Sunday Evening “Mission Majjhima!” Sutta Teaching & Discussion (5:00 - 6:00 pm PT, Online) See https://www.clearmountainmonastery.org/ or visit https://linktr.ee/clear_mountain_monastery for details. Welcome!

In this talk, Bhante Rāhula, visiting from Paññabhumi Monastery in Jalisco, Mexico, speaks about the danger of expectation, and how attachment to our desires inevitably leads to suffering. By seeing this dynamic with wisdom, replacing expectation with aspiration, and cultivating gratitude, we can escape from the vicious cycle. Sadhu! Visit https://www.bhanterahula.com/ or https://dhamma-pb.org/en to learn more. Bio Bhante Rāhula, born in Mexico, has spent the last 22 years in Asia in various periods, where he has practiced and studied the Dhamma.He was ordained in Myanmar by Sayadaw Dr. Nandamālābhivaṃsa, who is his preceptor. Since 2004 he has received meditation guidance from Sayadaw U Tejaniya. For 6 years, Bhante studied Suttas and Abhidhamma with Sayadaw Dr. Ukkamsacara in Macau. In 2019, he completed a course on Buddhist scriptures from Harvard University. He underwent monastic Vinaya training for 2 years in Sasanarakkha Buddhist Sanctuary in Malaysia under the guidance of Ven. Ariyadhammika, where he also led retreats and Dhamma activities for the local community. Currently, Bhante is constructing the Mexican Buddhist Center (Paññābhūmi) to introduce and propagate the Buddha’s teaching in South America. He is also actively involved in diverse programs to aid parts of the society in overcoming drug addiction and alcoholism, as well as supporting educational campaigns for children and teens to prevent such problem in this region. Visit bhanterahula.com or https://dhamma-pb.org/en to learn more. ----- 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!