Teacher: Venerable Sati Santikaro (Visiting from Slovakia)

Mon-Wed 29-31 Dec 2025 | From 7.30am - 8.00pm

Location: Concord (address will be sent to those to register closer to the event)

Teachings are offered freely. Donations (dāna) for the teacher are based on your voluntary generosity. Venerable’s attendant will be present to receive offerings.

BYO lunch or 5 mins walk to the shops for lunch

8 precepts (optional but encouraged). Participants are encouraged to refrain from eating in the afternoon until the next morning

Suitable for everyone: beginners, advanced and the enlightened

Ring in the New Year with Meditation Bells!

Bhante Sati Santikaro, will be visiting Sydney all the way from Slovakia. He will be leading this basic non-residential three-day meditation retreat in the Inner West of Sydney. Welcome the New Year in practice and community. During this special event Bhante Santikaro will be teaching meditation, aiming for the development of mindfulness and wisdom.

Retreat Program

**Days 1 & 2 - Mon & Tue 29-30 Dec, 2025**

07:30–08:00 Arrival / Start
08:00–09:00 Guided sitting meditation
09:00–10:00 Walking meditation
10:00–11:00 Sitting meditation
11:00–12:00 Lunch
12:00–13:00 Rest / Individual program

13:00–16:00 Personal interviews (available during meditation practice time)
13:00–14:00 Walking meditation
14:00–15:00 Sitting meditation
15:00–16:00 Walking meditation
16:00–17:00 Sitting meditation
17:00–18:00 Tea / Refreshment
18:00–19:00 Guided meditation
19:00–20:00 Dhamma-discussion
20:00 Departure / End

**Day 3 Wed 31 Dec 2025**

07:30–08:00 Arrival / Start
08:00–09:00 Guided sitting meditation
09:00–10:00 Walking meditation
10:00–11:00 Sitting meditation
11:00–12:00 Lunch
12:00–13:00 Rest / Individual program

13:00–16:00 Personal interviews (available during meditation practice time)
13:00–14:00 Walking meditation
14:00–15:00 Sitting meditation
15:00–16:00 Walking meditation
16:00–17:00 Sitting meditation
17:00–18:00 Tea / Refreshment
18:00–19:00 Sitting meditation
19:00–20:00 Guided meditation
20:00–23:00 Dhamma-discussion
23:00–23:50 Pali Chanting
23:50–00:10 Welcoming New Year 2026 (At Breakfast Point to view fireworks)
00:10 Departure / End

About the Teacher: Venerable Sati Santikaro Thera

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.