Overview: Nyingma Institute, located in Berkeley, CA overlooking the San Francisco Bay, provides the base for the Berkeley Work-Study Volunteer program. Volunteers live in shared rooms at Nyingma Institute (usually 2 to a room), enjoy delicious vegetarian meals, work during the day at one of the Berkeley centered projects, and have free access to the wide range of evening Buddhist classes. Nyingma Institute has for over 35 years offered the general public classes, certificate courses, retreats and workshops on Buddhism and related fields of inquiry. Nyingma Institute also supports projects in the areas of sacred Tibetan Buddhist art and artifacts.
There are between 10 and 20 volunteer residents of all ages from throughout the world living full-time at Nyingma Institute. At times another 10 or 15 people may be in residence attending retreats, workshops, or special work projects.
Classes at Nyingma Institute in Berkeley: Nyingma Institute offers free to all resident volunteers an ongoing curriculum of Buddhist education which includes classes in meditation, traditional Buddhist studies, Tibetan Yoga, Buddhist Psychology and more. Resident Volunteers also have the option to join the one and two-year certificate programs which offer an even more comprehensive, deeper knowledge and experience of Tibetan Buddhist study and practice in daily life. See the Nyingma Institute website for descriptions and details of classes.
Download an application .doc or .pdf and email to dharmavols@nyingma.org or go to our Contact page and fill out the inquiry form. The minimum committment is 6 months.
Trial Period: Applicants accepted into the program participate in a one month orientation and trial period. The purpose of the trial period is to confirm to our mutual agreement that the program is a good fit for the applicant. All other business and personal affairs must have been completed before arrival so that you can devote full time and attention to the program.
Weekly Schedule: Volunteers work Monday through Saturday. The workday begins at 8 am and ends at 5:15pm with two 30 minute breaks at mid-morning and mid-afternoon and a lunch hour. A structured before-work morning practice Monday to Saturday is also offered for those wishing to establish and/or maintain a regular meditation practice. There are evening classes 5 nights a week. Sundays are free for chores, personal errands or study and practice. Every Sunday Nyingma Institute offers public classes on Tibetan Yoga, Meditation, Mantra as well as a weekly Dharma talk all of which are also open to all resident volunteers.
Daily Schedule Monday to Saturday
6:30-7:30am Morning Practice (optional)
8:00 am Work begins
10:00-10:30am Break
12:30-1:30pm Lunch
3:00-3:30pm Break
5:15 pm Work finishes
5:45 pm Dinner
6:15pm &/or 8:00 Classes
Other commitments: Becoming a Work-Study Volunteer is a full-time commitment. It is not possible to hold down a job or attend regular outside commitments. If you have health or family considerations that may require time away, please indicate these dates on the application. We work year round with the exception of a 10 day break during the mid- winter holiday. Pets and children cannot accompany you. Couples are welcome to apply.
Internet and cell phones: Nyingma Institute has wireless internet access in some parts of the building. There are also computer stations available for email and other online personal business. You are welcome to bring your laptop, music player and cell phone. Music players cannot be used during work hours or with speakers in your room after 9 pm.
Suggested reading: To become more familiar with our ways of working and practicing, we suggest two books authored by Nyingma Center's founder, Tarthang Tulku, "Gesture of Balance" and "Skillful Means" . Both are available at http://www.dharmapublishing.com and some public libraries.
Volunteer Work in Berkeley
Volunteers in the Work-Study program in Berkeley participate in one of three projects
Work Assignments: The work assignment for the commitment period is decided in cooperation with the volunteer and the Volunteer Committee during the one month trial period.
Although we endeavor to place volunteers in areas of work that match their skills and/or interests, we encourage all applicants to be open and willing to volunteer wherever the need is greatest.
Application process: Applications are initially screened by the Berkeley Volunteer Committee to determine if the applicant may be a good fit for the program. This is followed by a phone interview and reference checks. The application process can take up to 3-4 weeks.
Please note: This resident volunteer program is not a place for those coping with withdrawal, unresolved emotional issues or diagnosed psychological disorders. Please do not apply if you have recently quit smoking or using other drugs, or if you have recently begun a recovery program.
More details about the Volunteer program
Expenses: Volunteers cover their own travel expenses round trip to the Nyingma Institute in Berkeley. Depending on your travel arrangements this may include a van shuttle from either the Oakland or San Francisco airport (about $30) or a taxi from the train station. (about $10) to Nyingma Institute. We do not have ample parking and prefer volunteers not to bring their cars.
Living Allowance Stipend: Following the successful completion of the trial period , volunteers who make the 6-month commitment receive a living allowance stipend of $150 per month. A volunteer's commitment period begins upon his or her arrival.
Please note that accepted volunteers who are not US citizens may not, under the law, receive the regular living expense stipend. In some cases we are able to reimburse documented living expenses. If you are not a US citizen, we will discuss this with you at the time of your application..
Meals: Vegetarian meals are provided Monday through Saturday lunch. Saturday evenings and Sunday, resident volunteers may make their own meals using designated kitchen supplies or may reheat leftovers. Snacks are provided during the work day.
Housing: Volunteers live in shared rooms, usually two people to a room. Bathroom and showers are shared with separated stalls. Coin operated washers and dryers are on site.Security/Key Deposit: A $50.00 cash, refundable security/key deposit is required upon arrival. Provided the key is returned and the accommodations are left clean and undamaged, the deposit is returned to the volunteer at the time of their departure.
Community Life at Nyingma Institute Volunteers need not have any particular relationship with Buddhism to participate, just an open-minded respect for oneself, members of the community and the place itself. While Nyingma Institute does not function as a traditional monastic community, it does uphold Buddhist principles such as appropriate behavior toward others, cleanliness, and not harming animals or insects. Please be aware that all residents are asked to respect certain simple practices to help maintain the respectful atmosphere. Examples of this are wearing modest clothing during work even in hot weather, not wearing outdoor shoes indoors during meals, classes and ceremonies, and keeping rooms and common areas clean.
The community setting coupled with challenging work and spiritual goals encourage the development of valuable qualities which can enrich one's life such as self-reliance, inner discipline, willingness to offer one's energy fully and work cooperatively with others. The environment provides opportunities for personal reflection and the latitude to make positive changes in one's life. We encourage volunteers to take advantage of this unique environment by participating in classes and utilizing free time for more than the customary entertainments such as socializing, watching movies or surfing the internet. Though these activities are not restricted, we have found that people appreciate and benefit from their experience here more if they take advantage of new possibilities living in a spiritual community can accommodate. Volunteers often enjoy the beauty surrounding areas, opportunities for meditation practice, side projects in an area of interest, and developing one's knowledge and skills.
