ALJ Class – Buddhism: Unitarianism Without the You

ALJ Class - Buddhism: Unitarianism Without the You

When

10/26/2025    
12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
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Where

Event Type

Buddhism: Unitarianism Without the You

A Friendly Meeting With a UU (Buddhist) Monk

Join Ajahn Kovilo Bhikkhu, a Unitarian-born American Buddhist monk, for conversation, several short guided meditations, and Q&A centering around Buddhism as seen through Unitarian eyes. Topics for discussion may include:

  • The similarities and differences between Unitarianism and Buddhism
  • The beauty of cognitive flexibility around how and when to pick up your ego
  • The utility and practice of deep meditation
  • The aspects of faith and transcendence in Buddhism
  • Being Buddhist in America
  • Why the heck would anybody want to be a monk

Details:

  • Time:  October 26th, 2025 12:00- 1:30 pm
  • Location: Unitarian Universalist Church of Palo Alto, Fireside Room (the room behind the coffee table)
  • Facilitator: Ajahn Kovilo Bhikkhu (né Ian Hillard – son of UUCPA member Paula Hillard)
  • Presenter:  Ajahn Kovilo
  • Biography: Ajahn Kovilo is a Unitarian-born, Theravāda Buddhist monk. Having been introduced to meditation through the Goenka Vipassana tradition, Ajahn entered the monastery in 2006 and received full ordination at Abhayagiri Monastery, California in 2010, spending the next decade training at monasteries in the Ajahn Chah tradition in America and Thailand. In 2020, after a year of practicing at a Pa Auk Sayadaw monastery, Ajahn Kovilo enrolled at the Dharma Realm Buddhist University (DRBU) to study Pali and to better understand Mahāyāna practices. Having graduated from DRBU in 2024, Ajahn Kovilo is now helping to found Clear Mountain Monastery in Seattle, Washington – a vibrant community with beautiful in-person and online teachings and gatherings. For more information, visit www.clearmountainmonastery.org and check out their YouTube interviews with many Buddhist luminaries such as Joseph Goldstein, Bhikkhu Bodhi, Sharon Salzberg, Gil Fronsdal, Tenzin Palmo, Bhante G, Rick Hanson, Oren Jay Sofer, Doug Smith and many more at https://www.youtube.com/c/ClearMountainMonastery.

Fourth Sunday Waffles and snacks will be available after the service. Please use a paper plate.  Suggested contribution $2.

Child care will be provided.