My younger son Andrew and I spent the past two years producing a 64-minute documentary exploring the lifestyle of the forest-dwelling Theravada Buddhist monks who have chosen to live only on gifts offered by the community.
I wanted an answer to the question: "what makes someone want to become a monk and live on alms alone?"
Fearless Mountain is filmed on location at the Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery in Redwood Valley, California, a serene community situated on the slopes of Fearless Mountain. As the sun rises over Abhayagiri, we experience the sweet sounds of nature—the breeze rustling the leaves on the trees and the chirping of birds just awakening. With the sounding of an ancient gong the film begins a day at the remote Theravada Buddhist monastery. We begin to feel the serenity of the forest and the simple, natural serenity of the monk’s daily existence.
We become part of the monks’ simple routine—eating, meditating, repairing fences, sweeping paths and chopping wood. We are invited to share in their lives as they do their sitting and walking meditation outside their kutis, the tiny huts where they spend most of their day.
Seeing the peace on the faces of the monks, their easy good humor and welcoming nature, makes us want to know them more—what the monks at Abhayaghiri have at that we might want in our own lives.
Ajahn Pasanno, a Canadian born monk explains his role of Co-abbot of the monastery and the teachings underlying everything the monks do. Throughout the film he answers many questions about Buddhism in a clear and accessible way such as the connection of the monks with the lay people who cook for them and take care of their simple worldly needs. We then learn from the lay people what they receive in turn for offering their time and gifts to the monastery.
On a rare trip out of the monastery several monks attend a daylong event at the Museum of Asian Art in San Francisco where we follow the monks through the streets of San Francisco on their alms rounds ending at a ceremonial lunch at the Lalita Thai restaurant.
We were given access to film ceremonies that date back more than 2,500 years, from the time of Buddha. An unusual ceremony takes place at the monastery when a nine-year-old Thai boy suffering from a rare blood disease is ordained under special circumstances by Ajahn Pasanno. Todd’s head is shaved before his ordination ceremony and when he takes on the robes of a monk for the first time we witness the transformation of the young boy Todd Tansuhaj into a young monk named Piyasilo, which in the ancient Pali language means "one of endearing virtue".
A wonderfully accessible monk named Sudanto offers a sparklingly clear description of the Buddha’s practical path to enlightenment—something, he assures us, is attainable for anyone.
Co-abbot Ajahn Amaro talks with us about the relevancy of living the timeless life of a Buddhist monastic in the modern world. The eldest Western disciple of the Theravada Tradition, Luang Por Sumedho visits the monastery from England and gives a once-in-a-lifetime Dhamma Talk that captivates the audience. His presence is so powerful and his words so clear that the viewer experiences Mindfulness itself.
The film culminates on the night of the full moon celebrating Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and death in a ceremony held atop of Fearless Mountain. With the moon rising over the mountains the night ends with the monks chanting beneath a bronze statue of Buddha. Ajahn Sumedho offers the final words about the path to enlightenment.
Throughout the film we get to know the monks as human beings, real people whose lives may differ from our own, but who experience the same emotions and desires as the rest of us. Through their openness, they reveal their simple means for dealing with life, allowing us an unprecedented look into a world that has remained hidden to most of us for centuries.
"Fearless Mountain echoes the sweetness of a simple and spiritual life to which only a few can commit. As he documents the lives and teachings of a group of monks living in a remote corner of northern California, you experience a certain joy just knowing that they
are there." – Joan Giannecchini
"The cinematography was as inspiring as the individuals and teachings presented in the film." – Abby Groo
"This film offers a taste of the devotion required to live in
a forest monastery. " – Dennis Crean
"Fearless Mountain is a beautiful celebration of the search
for meaning in our lives." – Andy Schexnaydre
"A film with the power to change your life." – Kate Nachtwey
Visit our new website at: www.fearlessmountainfilm.com