Our Intention
At Sanatha Suwaya we are striving to create an environment that provides an opportunity for individuals devoted to the belief in mind and body balance to explore and connect to their natural manifestation of this ideal. Avoiding any prejudice in form or ideology, Sanatha Suwaya is intended to be a place for discussion, learning, mental and physical exertion, exploration, growth, dissemination, communion, and exposure.
How Will We Achieve This?
Sanatha Suwaya should be thought of as an educational center for meditative arts. We create a retreat style environment suitable to meditative practices, and our facility offers accommodation, hospitality, safety and structure.
We are a non-religious organization and do not promote any philosophy over another. As a “wellness” center, we work to provide a space of peace, where a variety of wholesome experiences and services can be offered.
Long and short term guests can join guided meditation sessions, extended retreat programs, and will be provided options to participate in “like practices” on an everyday basis. “Like practices” are systems intended for development of human health including both mental and physical modalities. Systems such as Yoga, Reiki, Ayurveda and acupunture are but a few examples. By building cooperative relationships with skilled practitioners of differing methodologies and inviting them to utilize the space provided, guests gain exposure and opportunity to receive their services in a forum benefitting both teacher and student.
Our History
In 2005 the co-founders of Sanatha Suwaya recognized the rapidly growing interest in disease preventative living among mediation practitioners as well as non-practitioners. Inspired, the two decided that a non-denominational meditation and wellness center that provided access to education and a forum for practice in these interests could be of great benefit to individuals seeking to uplift their human condition. Combining their unique backgrounds and resources, the result became the mission named “Sanatha Suwaya: Center for Mind and Body Balance.”
Over the last 6 years these two friends have worked together to make the idea a reality and in 2011 broke ground. Construction is currently under way and Sanatha Suwaya expects to open its doors in October 2015.
What Is Our Greatest Love?
At Sanatha Suwaya our greatest love is nourished by the passion to uplift all beings to be healthy and content. Our reasoning relies on the premise that through the development of the individual will follow a conscious citizenry that reinvests in its community. As a tree must first mature before it can give fruit, so does the individual develop their awareness before benefiting the world. Therefore, Sanatha Suwaya strives to be the fertile soil for the growth of the healthy human.
Our Staff
Ven. Bhante Sujatha : Director
A Theravadin Buddhist monk for thirty years, Bhante Sujatha is the Abbot of The Blue Lotus Buddhist Temple in Woodstock, IL. In his tireless effort, Bhante Sujatha has taught around the globe to people wishing to learn the art of happiness and contentment through meditation. Focusing on philanthropy as tirelessly as his missionary efforts, Bhante Sujatha has created several charitable organizations and met countless goals to help those in need. His approach to teaching is straightforward, ensuring that everyone can easily understand how to properly practice meditation and understand Buddhist teachings.
Michael Fronczak : Manager and Resident Instructor
Over the past decade, Michael Fronczak has received training in yoga, psychology, meditation and Ayurvedic massage. He has resided and studied in Buddhist Temples in the United States, Australia and Sri Lanka. As a result of the experiences he has obtained within the US and abroad, Michael has developed his own unique style and ability to provide these invaluable mind, body and spirit services.
Michael has been living in Sri Lanka since 2011. Over the last four years he has overseen the construction of Sanatha Suwaya, managed all charitable events conducted by The Blue Lotus Buddhist Temple and Sanatha Suwaya in Sri Lanka and functioned as a coordinator and guide for Bhante Sujatha’s “Annual journey to Sri Lanka.”
Krishan (M.K.) Gunasekara : General Manager
Krishan has been contributing his skills and service to Sanatha Suwaya since its earliest days. From managing paperwork to the papaya orchard, Krishan has proven himself to be indispensable. A decorated karateka with degrees in computing and accounting, Krishan seems to be constantly handling several tasks at once, which no one would ever realize due to his calm and cool presence. No matter how busy, Krishan greets everyone and every situation with a smile, making every crisis seem manageable, and somehow always finding a solution.
Charitha Maddumage : Web Design, Video Production, Social Media, and Support
We are lucky to have Charitha on our team. His never-ending energy, creativity, and skills, have helped Sanatha Suwaya time and time again to get our job done. With more than 15 years experience in web design, Charitha helps present our vision and work to the world in a fun and meaningful way, while at the same time uplifting everyone around him with his positive attitude and genuine heart.
Srilal Dev : Yoga Instructor
Srilal was interested in religion and spirituality in his studies from the childhood. He used to visit and stay in meditation centres form his young ages. Yoga has been a habit of Srilal since his stay in the Universtity of Colombo studying Business Administration. He is a fully qualified Chartered Accountant with more than 15 years of experience in Finance & Management. He was practicing and teaching Yoga while working as a Finance Manager in Doha, Qatar. He quits the job in 2019 and devotes his full energy in Yogic way of living. He is a co founder of AYUBOM Yoga Center in Kandy.
Srilal is a qualified Yoga Teacher from few of well recognised Yoga education institutions located in Inda; Tantra Yoga Instructor Course – Shri Kali Ashram in Goa, Yoga Instructor Course – S-VYASA University in Bangalore, Advanced Yoga Teacher Training Course– The Yoga Institute in Mumbai. He is now raeding for a “Master of Science in Yoga” at S-VYASA University.
Niluka Dil : Yoga Instructor
Niluka, a qualified and talented Sri Lankan traditional dancer, started her Yoga education while practicing as a Kandyan Dancer. She has actively taken part in various programs such as Yoga wellness workshops, Tv Programs, Yoga Performances and regular yoga programs in Sri Lanka. Apart from her own classes in Homagama, she has worked as an Yoga instructor in few Yoga institutions in Colombo. She is a co founder of AYUBOM Yoga Center in Kandy.
Niluka is a qualified Yoga Teacher from few of well recognised Yoga institutions located in Inda and Sri Lanka; Diploma in Yoga – University of Kelaniya, Diploma in Yoga – Astanka Yoga Mandir in Colombo, Yoga Instructor Course – S-VYASA University in Bangalore, Advanced Yoga Teacher Training Course – The Yoga Institute in Mumbai.
Bathala & Murukku : Lifetime Residents
Bathala (Sinhala for sweet potato) and Murukku are our security guards, playmates, loyal companions, walking partners, cheerleaders, and overall good friends.
Murukku is very approachable and always ready to cuddle or play. She is perfectly happy to adapt and join with anything happening at any time.
Bathala is playful and loves to run free in the forest. She prefers to be on her own most of the time, but likes to play with a rope or the football. She doesn’t mind if you stroke her back, but please don’t hold your hand in front of her face as it makes her a bit scared.