FEARLESS MOUNTAIN Fearless Mountain offers a rare view of life in a forest monastery in the remote mountains of Northern California. The film documents the life of the ascetics that live only on alms from the local community and delves into the knowledge of Theravada Buddhism offering an understanding of the 248 precepts the monks live by as they follow the teachings of Buddha given more than 2500 years ago. Featured are interviews with beloved Ajahn Pasanno, Co-abbot of the monastery known for his ordination of endangered trees. A wonderfully accessible monk named Sudanto offers a clear description of Buddhas’s practical path to enlightenment, something, he assures us, is attainable for anyone. Ajahn Amaro discusses the relevancy of living the timeless life of a Buddhist monastic in the modern world. We follow the monks in their daily practice of the Dharma, chanting, collecting alms and performing the hard tasks of maintaining the secluded monastery, chopping wood, repairing fences and sweeping paths. We come to know the monks with their peaceful faces and easy humor who are forthcoming with their practical spiritual knowledge sorely missed in today’s busy world. Fearless Mountain viewers have privileged access to ancient ceremonies including the rarely seen Paddimmokka, the Monk’s Confession. We witness the heartwarming story of Todd Tansuhaj, to whom the film is dedicated, the youngest monk ever ordained at Abhayagiri. Todd’s life of only nine years ended shortly after the film was completed. The film concludes on the full moon in May as the monastery celebrates Vesakha Puja, the day on which the Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and final passing. In a rare visit highly revered Luang Por Sumedho, the eldest Western disciple of the Theravada tradition, gives a once-in-a-lifetime Dharma talk. His presence is so powerful and his words so simple and clear that the audience experiences Mindfulness itself. In the end, we come to know the men 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. In a natural and open way the monks of Abhayagiri give us an unprecedented view into a world that has remained hidden for centuries.