Who We Are
Venerable Subhuti
Born in northwest India, at the age of two, Venerable Subhuti’s family moved to East Africa. He was thirteen when the ruthless dictator Idi Amin, came to power and all the Asians had to leave. His family then immigrated to the United Kingdom. As a young man studying at the University of London, Ven. Subhuti heard a radio program which generated in him an interest in Buddhist teachings. Majoring in physics, he realized that science supported the truth of those teachings. He urgently wanted to leave his home life to become a monk, yet felt a son’s duty towards his parents. He chose his family and joined the family business in order to help out his parents. Together, they successfully ran the business for five years.
He then traveled and taught the Dhamma in India for two years, thereafter going to Thailand to “go forth” as samanera – a novice – at Wat Pah Nanachat, a Thai Forest monastery founded by the renowned monk Ajahn Chah.
After two and a half years as a novice, in June of 1998, Venerable Subhuti received higher ordination and further training at Mitrigala Forest monastery in Sri Lanka, where he resided for six years. He was offered, but declined to take charge of the renowned Forest Hermitage in Kandy, Sri Lanka.
Ven. Subhuti then went on a pilgrimage to the holy places in India. While there, relatives in the United States asked him to come visit.
He was then invited to stay on and teach Buddhism by the local American public. Since that time Venerable Subhuti has resided in and taught Buddhism in Chicago, New York City, Fort Worth, and Arlington, Texas for many, many years.
Zachary Lowenstein
Zachary has been a practicing buddhist since college. He went to S.U.N.Y. Purchase where he studied philosophy and language. Currently he lives and works in Berkshires, MA. He helps to promote Dhammas.org and is a board member. Since October 31st 2018 he has been holding religious classes at the library.