Speaker: Venerable Sati Santikaro (visiting from Slovakia)

Monday 12 January | 7.00-8.30pm AEST

Location: In person at Concord (address to be emailed to registered attendees closer to the date)

Cost: Free

Life offers us a precious chance to grow in wisdom and compassion, yet it is never certain how long that chance will last. In this talk, Bhante Santikaro will encourage us to appreciate the present moment and practise the Dhamma with care and commitment. How can we gently bring a sense of purpose into our daily lives? How do we make the most of this rare human opportunity? Join us for a thoughtful reflection on living mindfully and meaningfully.

About the Presenter: Venerable Sati Santikaro was born on Christmas Eve in Slovakia. He studied various subjects, including philosophy, religions, and psychology, at Comenius University, earning a Master's degree in 2000. After meeting a Malaysian Buddhist monk, Bhante Sujiva, he became interested in Buddhism and ordained as a samanera (novice monk) in 2004. He received higher ordination (upasampada) in the Burmese monastic order - Mahasi Sayadaw tradition in 2007 with Burmese teachers Sayadaw U Candima and Sayadaw Dr. Sunanda. He practiced meditation under Sayadaw U Pandita and later continued his monastic training in Thailand, receiving higher ordination in the Thai Theravada monastic order - forest tradition Dhammayutt. He has now been a Buddhist monk for nearly 20 years.

In 2022, Venerable Sati Santikaro established Santikaram Association Slovakia and Santikaram Forest Temple, where he teaches and conducts meditation retreats.Venerable Sati Santikaro is not only a respected Buddhist monk but also a talented poet. His poetry journey began with publications in the literary magazine "Dotyky" in 1996, 1997, 1998, and 1999. He received honorable mentions in the national literary competition "Cena Albína Vrteľa" in 2001 and the Premium award in 2002.

After his ordination as a Buddhist monk, Venerable Sati Santikaro continued writing poetry, focusing on the traditional Japanese style of haiku. His poems are shared on his blog, "The memoirs of a wandering monk," as well as on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram.

If you are feeling unwell, please consider staying at home.