Source: Mankato Free Press
On May 24, 2005 the Mankato Free Press reported, "Whichever beloved feathered or furry “Sesame Street” character Bhante Sathi will be appearing with on two episodes of the PBS children’s program, he’s not talking. It’ll have to be a surprise next season for the millions of children who tune into the 35-year-old show every day. Being asked to be on the show in the first place was a pretty big surprise to Sathi, a Chanhassen-based Buddhist monk who lives in Mankato part time to teach meditation at Pathways Massage & Wellness and Monday nights at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship. Sathi, 31, went in late January to Sri Lanka, his home country, to help establish housing projects and build homes for victims of the tsunami. During his month-long stay, he traveled with a director of 'Sesame Street,' who also was aiding in the relief efforts. A 'Sesame Street' crew was filming footage to air in segments of the program later, with Sathi appearing in some of the shots."