Bhante Sujatha is a Buddhist monk born and raised in Sri Lanka who now lives in a ranch style house on a quiet street in Barrington, Illinois. His reasons for living here are similar to many of its residents, except his work is unique and the house he lives in is owned by a generous friend. “I am now a house sitter,” he says of his many roles.

“Why live here?” I ask him.

“My friend thought it a good place for me to be since I love trees and nature. The people are friendly. The town is clean and well organized like my own nature,” he says with a bashful smile. “Also, it’s close to O’Hare Airport.” He travels often to places around the world and has become known as the ‘Loving Kindness’ monk. He founded the Blue Lotus Temple in Woodstock, Illinois in 2012 and serves as abbot.

I first met Bhante Sujatha in 2017 when on a lark I traveled with him and a handful of people to Sri Lanka. Even though I knew very little about Buddhism he welcomed me to join them. In that country, people dropped to their knees at his presence. Cars stopped on highways to let him cross the road. What they were acknowledging and what makes him an outlier in this community is his attire. He wears a ruby colored robe and often is barefoot. “At first, I was a bit uncomfortable because of my robe, but not anymore. People recognize me as a spiritual person. They are welcoming towards me. My robe is a symbol that helps me spread a message of loving kindness. I am proud of that.”

Sitting in a family room chair his demeanor is calm, his body relaxed, yet an energy emanates from him as we talk. I ask: “What do Buddhists believe?”

“Believe in yourself,” he says. He pauses and waits for me to catch up with that thought. He tells me there is no conversion attempt. “Follow your faith. You can go to church on Sunday and still practice meditation, mindfulness and loving kindness.” Harmony amongst all beliefs,” he adds. I wonder if that’s a wish or an observation he’s made.

Barrington resident Alan Lykins adheres to Buddhist principles. Though he has never met Bhante Sujatha he told me: “Buddhism is not a religion. It’s a way of living.” Bhante concurs with Alan’s assessment. “Buddhism is a practical approach. It has no shape. It’s like water in a vessel. The people make it what it is.”

That said, meditation is an integral part of Bhante Sujatha’s day.  He shared a few ideas for getting started.

• Find the right teacher. Someone you feel comfortable with.
• Set an intention. Determine why you want to meditate.
• During meditation you may feel calm but you needn’t quiet your mind.
• Let your thoughts float by like clouds in the sky. Watch them but don’t engage.
• Be mindful of your feelings and emotions.
• The purpose of mediation is not to become blindly passive but actively aware.

He hopes to share Buddha wisdom through meditation sessions in public spaces such as yoga studios, one-on-one lessons in private homes and group workshops wherever he is invited. He describes his job this way: “I help people to be kind, to give and receive love. My purpose is to add more love in the world.”