FPMT Basic Program Teaching Assistant Needed, and Volunteer Opportunities

Nalanda Monastery, Lavaur
Nalanda Monastery is a unique monastery for Western monks located in the South of France. We are a residential home for monks, lay students and residential volunteers. Living with us offers a rare opportunity of living a different way of life, focusing on cultivation of the mind, practicing compassion and wisdom. We emphasize personal engagement and practice, as well as high philosophical studies, since we have long-term study programs running continuously.

We are looking to appoint an English-speaking Teaching Assistant (TA) for our upcoming FPMT Basic Program (BP), September 2023 – July 2028.  Please read more about this position and how to apply.

We are always in need of volunteers – please visit our website to find out more.

Volunteer Opportunities

Institut Vajra Yogini, Lavaur
Institut Vajra Yogini is a busy Buddhist teachings and retreat center set in beautiful rolling hills, 45 minutes from the city of Toulouse, ten minutes away from sister center Nalanda Monastery. Located in an old and impressive château, 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 a resident Tibetan Geshe, 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 visit our website for more information.

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.

Participez à la diffusion du Dharma!

Éditions Mahayana, 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 les annonces détaillées.

Introductory Class Leader Opportunity

Root Institute, Bodhgaya
Root Institute for Wisdom Culture is looking for a suitable FPMT student to lead introductory courses and meditation and to lead group practices. These will all be in-person only, at the center and at the Mahabodhi Stupa.  If you’re interested in offering service in this way, please read more about the position.

Director Needed

Choe Khor Sum Ling, Bangalore

The CKSL Board is looking for a suitable new Center Director – ideally a student who will be able to join our team very soon.  If you are interested in offering service in this way, we invite you to read more about the position and the application process.

Spiritual Program Coordinator Opportunity

Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa, Pomaia
We are located in the heart of Tuscany.  The Centre offers FPMT Basic and Masters Programs, together with other regular courses on Buddhism, meditation, and many other topics, all aimed at the development of the human qualities of kindness, compassion, and wisdom. The Institute community consists of Buddhist monks and nuns, an international body of lay students and visitors, and a large group of staff and volunteers.   We are looking for a Spiritual Program Coordinator to join our team. The Education Program Coordinator/SPC at the Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa is responsible for the planning and execution of all educational programs, practices, ceremonies, seminars, and special events that take place at the Centre.   This is a fantastic opportunity for the right person.  Please read our full advertisement for more information.

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 Manager/Spiritual Program Coordinator (SPC).  There is a weekend teaching program plus weekday meditation classes.  If you are interested in this opportunity, and are able to cover your expenses, we invite you to read more about the position, and how to apply.

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 further information about the positions, which includes how to apply.

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!

Various Positions Available

Oseling Retreat Center, near Granada
Oseling is set high in the beautiful Sierra Nevada Mountains near the historic city of Granada in the south of Spain. In the boundaries of a national/natural park, the rustic environment offers an ideal place to meditate and a peaceful place to work.  We are looking for a long term House and Retreat Caretaker; Maintenance; Gardener; Advertising and Reception staff.  Please contact us for more information about each position, and how to apply.

Volunteer Opportunities

Yeshin Norbu, Stockholm
Yeshin Norbu is an urban centre.  We have a resident teacher, Venerable Michael Yeshe, who teaches at the center on a weekly basis.  We’re always looking for an extra pair of hands to help out with a wide array of tasks. We are run by hard-working volunteers and core staff. Without people kindly offering their time, skills and service, we would not be able to exist. Volunteering at Yeshin Norbu is a great way of deepening your practice, offering service to others and being a part of a community that wants to contribute to a more peaceful world.  In return, we offer accommodation; a stipend to cover basic food and transportation costs around beautiful Stockholm; all courses, events, pujas at the centre free of charge; and a precious chance to live and work with likeminded people, build community and deepen your knowledge and experiences of Tibetan Buddhist practices. For more info visit our website.

Director Needed, and Other Opportunities

Land of Joy, Hexham
Are you looking for an opportunity to gain merit as vast as the sky? Do you seek a place to serve in a remote beautiful environment, working alongside a small community of volunteers? In its short eight years since inception, Land of Joy has established itself as an FPMT centre for solitary and group retreat in Europe, offering numerous completion practices, as well as providing a range of spiritual and secular retreats for the wider community. We are now seeking a flexible and resourceful Director to lead the Centre in its next phase of development, from solid foundation to flourishing.  It will be a person with a good heart, an excellent communicator in the English language, with proven collaborative leadership skills; and respect for and familiarity with the FPMT organization.  We invite you to read our full advertisement, which includes further information.

We  also have some short-term team member opportunities. We encourage you to consider coming to Land of Joy to take on the challenges, and the joys, of living and working as part of this very special community. No financial rewards but the benefits package is inestimable – a fantastic place to live, practice and offer service – and skies of merit!  More information and the application form for these service opportunities can be found on our website.

Opportunity to Serve as Regional Coordinator

The North American Regional Coordinator supports FPMT affiliates in the US and Canada, in their work to offer the FPMT Five Pillars of Service and fulfil the FPMT Mission statement.  Together with other FPMT regional and national coordinators, as NA regional coordinator you will provide support to the FPMT organization by working as a local link between affiliates and International Office.  Due to the importance and responsibilities of this role, you will have experience as a director, board member or spiritual program coordinator of an FPMT affiliate.  This is a part time paid role.  We strongly encourage students with this background and wish to serve to read more, and apply! 

Spiritual Program Coordinator Needed

Vajrapani Institute, Boulder Creek, CA
A long-standing retreat center in the California redwoods, we are first and foremost a spiritual community committed to helping retreaters and staff develop their minds. By joining our team you will nurture a sense of service within yourself, participate in a mindful and contemplative work culture, and stimulate your mind by having access to our regular program.  We are looking for a Spiritual Program Coordinator to work together with our 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.  If this is of interest to you, we invite you to read more.

Director Opportunity

Land of Medicine Buddha, Soquel, CA

The center is located on a beautiful 108-acre forested property, where we support the transformation of spiritual teachings into experience through active study programs, group rentals, and contemplative retreat.  The board is seeking a strategic, forward-thinking executive director to work in partnership with us. The director is responsible for the overall leadership of the center, LMB, assuring high-quality, mission-driven programs and services; effectively advocating and fundraising on behalf of LMB; and leading staff towards the achievement of LMB’s mission and vision. The ideal candidate will be a warm, kind-hearted individual who values harmony and is comfortable working in a dynamic environment that welcomes a variety of visitors, guests, spiritual practitioners, and staff members. We invite you to read more about this exciting opportunity, and how to apply.