Beyond the Robe: A Conversation with Phramaha Piya Jundadal (Part 1)

In this episode, I sit down with my longtime friend and spiritual teacher, Phramaha Piya Jundadal of Wat Prodketchettharam of America, to record a conversation years in the making. Piya offers a rare look into the life of a forest monk, from the discipline of 4:00 AM wake-up calls and rigorous training to the humbling tradition of the alms round, where monks depend entirely on the community for their single daily meal. We explore the process of ordination and the sanctuary they’ve built in Niagara Falls—a place defined by open doors and radical compassion. Ultimately, Piya reminds us that despite the monastic "uniform," we all face the same human struggles, proving that the path to peace is accessible to everyone regardless of the robes they wear.