Offer Service

From directors to work-study volunteers, there are many different ways you can help FPMT centers, projects and services – please have a look to see what jobs and volunteer opportunities are currently open.  There are opportunities in the centers in the countries listed in bold.

Read further information about offering service in the FPMT organization.

Australia

Volunteer Opportunities

Chenrezig Institute, Queensland

Chenrezig Institute is a retreat, study and monastic centre nestled in the tranquil hills of the Sunshine Coast hinterland in Queensland. We are home to a Tibetan geshe, ordained Sangha and a dedicated lay community. The Institute offers a diverse range of Buddhist philosophy, meditation, retreat, sacred art and wellbeing programs to the community.

There are regular opportunities to join Chenrezig Institute’s Work Exchange Programme. Work experiences for our ‘live in volunteers’ include the kitchen/cafe, grounds/maintenance and housekeeping – all vital to keeping our busy centre running. In exchange for thirty hours of work per week over five days, we offer free access to teachings and meditations from our extensive study program, accommodation and three meals a day. Everyone is welcome to apply to join our vibrant team. The main requirements are interest in Buddhism, enthusiasm to offer service and to be part of a thriving spiritual community. Apply Here.

Canada

France

Volunteers Needed

Nalanda Monastery, Lavaur

We are a unique monastery for Western monks in the Gelukpa tradition. The monastery offers two full-time study programs. We are always in need of volunteers. You don’t have to be Buddhist to visit, but should have an interest in learning and living in Buddhist community, and abiding by the certain guidelines to keep the community happy.  Please read more, including how to apply.

Cooks and Builders Needed

Kalachakra Center, Paris

We are seeking friendly and committed cooks or builders with skills and practical experience to work at our retreat facility close to Paris, where we host a range of group and individual retreats all year.   Ideally you would be able to come for a period of 1 to 6 months. Food, lodging and allowance will be offered as well as help for your travel expenses. If interested, please contact the center. 

Volunteer and Student-Resident Positions Available

Institut Vajra Yogini, Lavaur

Institut Vajra Yogini is a busy Buddhist teachings and retreat center set in the beautiful rolling hills of South-West France, 45 minutes from the city of Toulouse, ten minutes away from sister center Nalanda Monastery. Located in an old and impressive château on top of a hill and in the middle of a beautiful park, the Center offers a friendly and calm environment for people willing to offer service and to deepen their connection with the Dharma. The Institut is home to two Tibetan geshes, ordained Sangha and a dedicated lay community. We offer all year round a wide range of teachings, retreats, universal education courses and other wellbeing programs.

“Live in volunteers” and student-residents are welcome all year round to help in the kitchen, for housekeeping, reception, grounds work or small building works for periods ranging from a few days to three months. Student-residents can take part in the center’s activities or/and set up their own individual study program through readings and videos, while usually  offering five half-days a week to the center as karma yoga. Main service language is French but language is not an obstacle as many of the center’s staff, volunteers and visitors do speak English. English speaking student-residents staying for a few months can be helped to set up their own study program using Discovering Buddhism or Basic Program. Please contact the Institut for more details.

Participez à la diffusion du Dharma!

Le Service de traduction francophone de la FPMT, offre de merveilleuses occasions d’offrir ses services et de participer, de façon concrète, à la diffusion du Dharma dans les pays de langue française en tant que traducteur, relecteur, coordinateur de projet ou en offrant vos talents de mise en page et de graphisme. Lire l’annonce détaillée.

Germany

India

Italy

Mongolia

Nepal

Spiritual Program Coordinator Needed

Himalayan Buddhist Meditation Center, Kathmandu

We are located in the heart of Kathmandu. We are looking to recruit a dynamic and organised person as the Spiritual Program Coordinator (SPC). If you are interested in this unique position, please read more about it.

Qualified Teachers Needed

Kopan Monastery, Kathmandu

We are looking for qualified, experienced teachers, in English, Science and Math, to help out at the Kopan School and the Nunnery school. A minimum commitment of 3 months is required, and longer commitments are welcome.  Please read our information about the positions, which includes how to apply.

The Netherlands

New Zealand

Volunteer Opportunities

Chandrakirti Meditation Center, Nelson

We are a friendly community and rural retreat centre, located in a scenic region of New Zealand.   We are looking for volunteers to join our friendly community. We invite volunteers to join our study program and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the center. If you have skills you would like to contribute to our Dharma community we would love to hear from you. Visit our website or email us to find out more!

Spain

Volunteer Positions Available

Oseling Retreat Center, near Granada

We are looking for a vegetarian cook, to cater for courses, retreats, staff and volunteers. Responsibilities include cooking for up to 25 people, ordering kitchen supplies and maintaining kitchen to high standard. If you would like to offer service and nourish others with your cooking, we would love to hear from you. We also need a housekeeper to take care of retreat-houses, dormitories, co-ordinate volunteers, assist with hospitality and if possible relieve on the cooks days off, and a person capable of taking care of the maintenance of the center.

These positions are for a 3-6 month term, or longer, giving 36 hours a week service with one or two days off, depending on the season: July and August being the months with most work. We offer single room accommodation, all meals and opportunities to attend retreats and courses.  Please contact the center to discuss further.

Sweden

United Kingdom

Spiritual Program Coordinator Needed, and Volunteer Opportunities

Land of Joy, Northumberland
We are a small retreat centre in rural Northumberland in the North of England, offering a programme of group retreats, facilities and support for solitary retreat and a developing community programme.  We are looking for a new SPC to start as soon as possible. Please read more, including how to apply for the role.

We are also looking for volunteers to assist in the following areas – housekeeping, cooking, and maintenance – preferably for a period of 6 months to one year.  Find out more about offering service at Land of Joy, and how to apply.

Volunteer Openings

Jamyang Buddhist Center, London

We are a dynamic city centre with a thriving program to meet the diverse needs of its community: from traditional Buddhist teachings and rituals to a wide range of secular and community programs. This is an exciting time to join us – a highly motivated and competent team is being formed, at the core of which is an outstanding resident teacher, Geshe Tenzin Namdak. If you’re interested in joining the team for three months, we can offer room and board, a weekly stipend plus free entry to teachings and classes. Find out more!

USA

Director, Spiritual Program Coordinator Opportunities, and Positions Open

Vajrapani Institute, Boulder Creek, CA

We are a secluded retreat center located in the stillness of the California Redwoods.  Our purpose is to inspire deep spiritual work by providing the most supportive retreat conditions possible. We are first and foremost a spiritual community committed to helping retreaters and staff develop their minds.

• We are seeking an experienced and visionary Executive Director. If you are a people-oriented leader with a collaborative leadership style, strong emotional intelligence, agile in balancing multiple priorities, and have a background in management, this could be a wonderful opportunity to make an important contribution. The director will ensure that the center provides the best possible service to all sentient beings and fulfills the vision of Lama Zopa Rinpoche. Please read more about this position, including how to apply.
  
• We are also looking for a Spiritual Program Coordinator (SPC). The SPC department is the heart of all Vajrapani Institute’s spiritual activities. The SPC works together with our Resident Teacher and the Executive Director to provide co-leadership in fostering a sacred, contemplative culture, helping to meet the spiritual needs of the community. The SPC’s main duties are to create, plan, market and organize the spiritual activities of the center, including programs, public and private events, practices, and classes while supporting the vision, mission and intentions of Vajrapani Institute and the FPMT organization.  Please read more, including how to apply.
  
• We have two other positions open: Community Relations Coordinator; and Assistant Cook and Housekeeper

Director Opportunity

Shantideva Center, New York

We are a small but growing non-residential teaching center located in Brooklyn, New York. Its purpose is to provide opportunities for study and practice of the Buddhist path, enabling Dharma students to develop their natural compassion and wisdom.  We are looking for an experienced, dynamic, hands-on director, who can motivate, support and lead staff and volunteers at Shantideva Center. The director will ensure that the center provides the best possible service to all sentient beings and fulfils the vision of Lama Zopa Rinpoche.  If you are interested in this position, please read our full advertisement.

Director Opportunity

Ocean of Compassion Buddhist Center, California

We are a small but growing non-residential teaching center located in the Northern California Bay Area, in the city of Campbell, in the South Bay. We are looking for an experienced, dynamic, confident, hands-on director, who can motivate, support and lead staff and volunteers at Ocean of Compassion; ensuring that the center provides the best possible service to all sentient beings and fulfils the vision of Lama Zopa Rinpoche.   Please read our full advertisement for more information.

Service-Study Program

Land of Medicine Buddha, California

We are situated on 108 acres in beautiful Soquel, CA, USA. Many different populations come to the Land on any given day — Dharma program participants, facility rental guests, and the general public. No matter the reason, our goal is to ensure every guest of Land of Medicine Buddha (LMB) is met with warmth and loving-kindness. We have a service-study program, which is intended for people who desire access to the spiritual program at LMB and wish to live with and offer service to our community for a three-month period. Find out more.  

International