Nyingma Centers Work Study Program

The Nyingma Work-Study Volunteer Program
encompasses meaningful work, study and community living. We are seeking hard-working
individuals who have an interest in Buddhist studies and meditation and the application of Buddhist practice in the work environment.

The six participating organizations of the Nyingma community have a two-fold mission: the preservation of Tibetan Buddhist knowledge and culture and the transmission of the Buddhist teachings to the Western world. Please read through the web sites of our Participating Organizations page for an understanding of the extent and work orientation of our community.

CONTENTS OF THIS PAGE
	Classes	Volunteer Work	Applying	General Information	Community Life	Ratna Ling

CLASSES

Classes in Berkeley: Nyingma Institute offers a variety of evening Buddhist studies classes Monday to Friday covering such subjects as meditation, Buddhist psychology and philosophy, Tibetan yoga, Tibetan language and other subjects related to the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, at no cost to the volunteer. The class schedule runs for four quarters of 10 weeks of classes in per quarter. There is a 4 week interim class schedule for the month of September. We encourage all applicants to plan their entry into program to coincide with the beginning dates of each quarter.

Classes at Ratna Ling: Some of the classes offered at
Nyingma Institute in Berkeley are also available to Ratna Ling volunteers through our 2-way video network connection between Berkeley and the Ratna Ling site. There are also on-site evening classes for volunteers in general Buddhist studies, Skillful Means and Kum Nye Tibetan yoga. Email the Volunteer Office for the current list of classes at Ratna Ling; dharmavols@nyingma.org

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VOLUNTEER WORK

We currently need volunteers for the Yeshe De Tibetan Book Project at Ratna Ling in Sonoma County. This work includes folding, collating, cutting, assembling and wrapping traditional Tibetan Buddhist texts. No experience is required although those with experience with machines are appreciated. Hands-on and technical training is provided.

Other needs within our community include:

Overall: our community is in need of website developers/programmers, graphic designers and general maintenance people.

In Berkeley: Tibetan Aid Project is looking for people with experience, training or aptitude graphic and web design, event planning, computer network administration, accounting and grant research. Nyingma Institute is interested in people who can do house keeping, cooking, general maintenance, gardening, promotion and administrative assistance.

At Ratna Ling: Dharma Publishing is in need of people with
skills web site programming and graphic design.

The Retreat Center seeks those with abilities in the trades of construction, electrical, plumbing and general maintenance. Also those will abilites in cooking and landscaping.

Work Assignments: Nyingma Centers takes a volunteer's
commitment seriously and expects that if a volunteer chooses to participate after the introductory trial period that he or she will stay for the full length of his or her commitment. The work assignment for the commitment period is decided in cooperation with the volunteer and the Resident Volunteer Committee. Although we endeavor to place volunteers in areas of work that match their skills and/or interests, we encourage all participants to be open and willing to volunteer wherever the need is greatest.

APPLYING

We accept applications thorughout the year, although we encourage applicants to the Berkeley program tto consider entry dates into the program which correspond to the beginning of the class quarters.(January, April, June, Sept and Oct.)

Please note that the majority of Work-Study volunteer postions available in 2008 will be at our country center in Sonoma County, Ratna Ling. There will also be a smaller number of postions available in Berkeley with the Tibetan Aid Project, Nyingma Institute and the Prayer Wheel Project.

Download application here

Applications are initially screened by the Work-Study 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. Our primary criteria are that applicants have compatible interests, are capable of living and working in harmony with others and can demonstrate the stability needed to follow through with commitments.The application process can take up to 3-4 weeks.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Trial Period: Applicants accepted into the program
participate in a one month orientiaon 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 our efforts.

Living Expense Stipend: Following the successful
completion of the trial period , volunteers who choose to make the 6-month commitment (includes first month of trial period) receive a stipend of $150 per month. A volunteer's commitment length begins upon his or her arrival.

Weekly Schedule: Volunteers work Monday through Saturday. The workday begins at 8 am and ends at 5:30pm with 2 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.

Daily Schedule in Berkeley and at Ratna Ling
– Monday to Saturday –

Although the schedule may vary occasionally, here is a sample schedule to give you an idea of the daily routine:

Sundays are for chores, errands and personal time. In
Berkeley, there are also regular sessions each Sunday of
Tibetan Yoga, meditation, chanting and Dharma talks which
are free to all volunteers.

6:30–7:30AM       Morning Practice
8:00 AM           Work begins
10:00 AM          Break
12:30 PM          Lunch
3:00 PM           Break
5:00-5:30 PM      Work finishes
5:45 PM           Dinner
6:15 PM or 8 PM   Classes

Meals and Housing: Vegetarian meals are provided from
Monday through Saturday lunch in the large shared kitchen
and dining areas. Snacks are provided during the work day.
On Saturday evenings and Sunday, resident volunteers may
make their own meals using designated kitchen supplies or may reheat leftovers. Resident Volunteers live in shared
rooms, usually two people to a room, supplied with beds,
sheets, blanket, comforter, pillow and bath towel. Rooms have shelves, a closet, lamps, a trash can and possibly other simple furnishing such as a desk, bookshelves or dresser. Bathroom, shower and laundry facilities are shared.

Other commitments: Becoming a Resident Volunteer is a
full-time commitment. We ask that you make yourself fully
available. 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 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.

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COMMUNITY LIFE

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 Centers 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 not wearing outdoor shoes indoors, and keeping rooms and common areas clean.

Controlled substances: Consumption of illegal substances by program participants is prohibited. This program is not appropriate for those experiencing withdrawal or recovery from drugs, alcohol or nicotine or for those with unresolved problems with addiction or psychological imbalance.

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.

Volunteers are expected to work and live harmoniously with
others, contributing to a healthy and pleasant living environment. 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 customary entertainment 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 of the gardens, the outdoors of the country center and the surrounding areas, opportunities for meditation practice, side projects in an area of interest, and developing one's knowledge and skills.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT RATNA LING

Location: The natural setting of Ratna Ling is 110 acres of
forest, open meadows and ponds in Sonoma County about
100 miles north of San Francisco. The closest town, Gualala, has a population of 600 people and is about 50 minutes away by car. Ratna Ling is home to Dharma Publishing, Yeshe De Tibetan Text project and the Ratna Ling Retreat Center, all of which are still being developed. 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. Resident Volunteers who come to Ratna Ling need to be flexible, independent and willing to participate in the challenges and changeability of a start-up enterprise in a rural setting.

Expenses: Volunteers cover their 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)

Housing: Housing at Ratna Ling is also 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) Not all living quarters have adjacent bathroom facilities. All housing requires a beautiful outdoor walk to the kitchen and dining area, laundry facilities and, in some cases, to the bathroom and shower facilities.Please note that Ratna Ling is a non-smoking facility. Smoking is not permitted anywhere on site.

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.

© 2007 Nyngma Centers