Overview: Ratna Ling is located 100 miles north of San Francisco in the beautiful coastal mountains of Sonoma County, CA. Resident volunteers live in a variety of shared accommodations, have meals in the Ratna Ling Lodge dining room and participate in evening classes. While many buildings and facilities are already in place, there is still much more to be done in construction, management, program development and general community operations. Volunteers who come to Ratna Ling need to be physically fit, independent, emotionally and mentally stable, with the flexibility to participate in the challenges and changeability of a start-up enterprise in a rural setting. The closest town, Gualala, has a population of 600 people and is about 40 minutes away by car. Ratna Ling is a non-smoking facility.
Presently there are about 25 people from various parts for the world living and working at Ratna Ling full-time with about 10 additional volunteers coming each day from our sister community Odiyan to work at Ratna Ling.
Classes at Ratna Ling: Evening classes are offered to resident volunteers throughout the week in subjects such as meditation, beginning and advanced Buddhist studies, Skillful Means and Tibetan yoga. Some classes offered at Nyingma Institute in Berkeley are also available to Ratna Ling volunteers through our 2-way video network connection between the Nyingma Institute in Berkeley and the Ratna Ling site. Current class schedule at Ratna Ling
Short-term: 2 weeks to 3 months, only at Ratna Ling. Please email shortterm@ratnaling.org to request an application or call 707-847-3777 ext. 119
Long term: 6 months or more: Download an application .doc or .pdf and email to dharmavols@nyingma.org or
go to our Contact page and fill out the inquiry form.
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. Various ceremonies of the Tibetan Buddhist tradition take place throughout the month as well as a weekly dedication ceremony on Saturdays. Sundays are free for chores, personal pursuits or hobbies, exploring the nearby sea shore, forests and rivers. Volunteers are welcome to bring their own cars, but it is not necessary. Bikes are welcome.
Daily Schedule Monday to Saturday
6:30-7:15am 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
Saturday work ends at 4:30 pm for Dedication ceremony.
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: Ratna Ling has wireless internet access in some parts of the site. 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. Be sure to bring a surge protector for your electronics. Music players cannot be used during work hours. Please note that the only cell phone service available at Ratna Ling is Verizon.
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 at Ratna Ling
Volunteers work with one of three organizations based at Ratna Ling.
Work Placement at Ratna Ling: The project work assignment for the commitment period is decided in cooperation between the volunteer and the Volunteer Committee during the one month trial period.
Those applying for the short-term program (2 weeks to 3 months) will generally only be placed with the Yeshe De Tibetan Book Project. Exceptions may be made for those with specialized skills such a cooking, graphic or web design or others.
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 Ratna Ling 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: Ratna Ling 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 Ratna Ling. Depending on your travel arrangements this may include a van shuttle from either the Oakland or San Francisco airport to our closest city, Santa Rosa (about $30) and a local bus fare to bring you to the closet bus stop. (about $6) You are welcome to bring your car to Ratna Ling.
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: Housing at Ratna Ling is under development. Currently there are shared accommodations available in on- site buildings, trailers and yomes. (A yome is a cross between a yurt and a dome) All the housing requires an outdoor walk to the kitchen and dining area, laundry facilities and, in some cases, to the bathroom and shower facilities. Not all living quarters have adjacent bathroom facilities. Volunteers live in shared accommodations, usually two people to a room, supplied with bedding and towels. Rooms are simply furnished. All bathroom, shower and laundry facilities are shared with separeted stalls.Cleaning/Security Deposit: A $100.00 cash, refundable security and cleaning deposit is required upon arrival. This is held and returned to the volunteer at the time of their departure if living quarters are left clean and undamaged.
Community Life at Ratna Ling 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 Ratna Ling 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.
