Born in Ohio, Ajahn Kovilo is a Theravāda forest monk whose path into monastic life began through the Goenka tradition, where he first encountered meditation, the five precepts, and the Pāli Canon. As his interest in Dhamma deepened, he entered the monastery in 2006 with the intention of dedicating his life to practice. In 2010, he received full ordination from Ajahn Pasanno and Ajahn Amaro at Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery in California.
Over the following decade, he trained in monasteries and with teachers in the Ajahn Chah tradition across America and Thailand, especially Ajahn Jayasaro and Luang Por Piak. Alongside learning the practical skills of forest monastic life, such as hand-sewing, broom-making, and crochet, he also devoted significant time to memory practice. He further studied Pāli and Thai, helping collate, edit, and produce several Dhamma books, including "Thus Should You Train Yourselves", "The Pra Farang Thai Primer", "Stillness Flowing", and the digital edition of "Buddhadhamma".
In 2020, Ajahn Kovilo spent a year practicing meditation at Pa Auk International Meditation Center in Angthong, Thailand. He then enrolled at Dharma Realm Buddhist University in Ukiah, California, where he studied Pāli and Sanskrit while also deepening his understanding of key texts and practices within Chinese Mahāyāna Buddhism, including Chan meditation, compassion meditation on Guanyin's name, and bowing practice. During this period, he also spent time at Chuang Yen Monastery studying with Bhikkhu Bodhi.
In May 2024, Ajahn Kovilo moved full-time to Seattle, WA to continue supporting the founding of Clear Mountain Monastery with his good friend, Ajahn Nisabho. He is deeply grateful for the guidance and compassion offered by his teachers and friends, and he aspires to live fully in honor of all that has been given to him during his life in robes.