Bhante Sathi is a monk (bikkhu) in the Theravada tradition. He was born in Kandy, Sri Lanka and his spiritual interests began in his early teenage years. He was ordained as a novice monk at age 19 and received his training under Wattegama Dhammawasa Maha Thera at Sri Subhodaramaya International Bikkhu Center in Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. He received higher ordination after three years of Bhikku education and practice. In Sri Lanka as a fully ordained monk, he taught meditation and counseled people with many walks of life, using Buddhist teachings (Damma).
In September 1999, Bhante Sathi traveled to the United States from Sri Lanka, to teach and practice at the Great Lakes Buddhist Vihara in Southfield, Michigan. As a resident monk at the Great Lakes Buddhist Vihara he traveled around the United States and Canada teaching meditation, conducting meditation retreats and sharing Dhamma by accepting invitations, received mainly from locals who were interested in meditation.
Bhante Sathi was invited to share his knowledge of Buddhist teachings and in meditation by Minnesota residents in 2003. Bhante Sathi has stayed in Minnesota ever since, traveling frequently between Chanhassen, the Twin Cities area, Northfield, Stillwater and Mankato sharing Dhamma and teaching meditation. He taught extensively, conducted retreats and continues to do so throughout the year in other parts of Minnesota as well.
Bhante Sathi has a particular interest in what is common to all traditions and all schools of Buddhism, particularly regarding the practice of meditation. Since establishing himself in Minnesota, Bhante dreamed of opening a meditation center where people of all traditions could come together and practice Dhamma and meditation. With this long-term goal in mind, he established The Triple Gem of the North, a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to the practice and teaching of meditation and Dhamma.
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