Odiyan’s all-volunteer community works on both finishing construction and maintenance of temples and buildings, as well as landscaping and clearing parks, gardens, forests and open land.
We are seeking individuals with interest, abilities or skills in landscaping, grounds keeping, organic gardening, animal husbandry, cooking, kitchen management, carpentry, plumbing, electrical work, foundry and metal work.
Volunteers receive housing, vegetarian meals, a living allowance of $150 per month, hands-on training and work experience. Periodically classes are offered on Tibetan yoga, Skillful Means (work as a path of growth), Buddhist history and sacred art, Tibetan language, as well as discussion groups.
Living in a community dedicated to preserving the sacred treasures of Tibetan Buddhist knowledge and practice, you will merge altruism with discipline and practical knowledge, spiritual values with meaningful work.
Work as a path of practice
The way of life that has developed at Odiyan over the past 35 years focuses on dedication to meaningful work. The work is integrated with an attitude of developing self–knowledge through the skillful use of awareness, concentration, discipline, motivation and cooperation. Books by Odiyan’s founder Tarthang Tulku such as ‘Skillful Means” are the springboard for daily reflection and practice by interested individuals or small work groups.
Commitment
The initial commitment period is six months which includes a one month trial period.
The minimum age is 22. We cannot accept children or pets. Couples are welcome to apply.
Our community is seeking those wishing to develop a long-term engagement with our projects and mission.
With the mutual agreement of the volunteer committee and community, volunteers who complete a successful six months at Odiyan can choose to participate for a subsequent 6-18 months or longer.
Continuing volunteers may choose to engage more fully in the practices, studies and life-style of community. This includes an invitation to the regular morning practice sessions and monthly ceremonies, as well as other events of the Buddhist calendar, and taking on more responsibility in other projects such as gardening, special maintenance needs, landscape or sacred art projects.
For those with interest in Tibetan Buddhism or Tibetan language, there is the possibility to carry on study and research at our center in Berkeley, Mangalam Centers, or be involved with our projects in Asia.
Volunteer profile
We are seeking people who have an interest in Buddhism, enjoy physical labor and are mature, flexible and positive in attitude. Other characteristics are the ability to work and live harmoniously with others and be comfortable with exposure to weather and simple living accommodations.
You do not need to have any particular skills to volunteer at Odiyan although we do appreciate those with a background in any of the building trades, mechanics or those with foundry experience. We also appreciate people with cooking and kitchen management experience, significant knowledge of computers and design programs, or animal husbandry.
You need to be physically fit, able to work long hours, and have some savings and little debt.
Volunteers who do best at Odiyan are often 23 years old and up. They are individuals who are interested in a way of living that emphasizes self-sufficiency and does not depend on a lot of social interaction either personally or online. Living and working at Odiyan is a life-style of wholesomeness where an individual’s internal motivation in regard to the work projects, study or practice is the most important factor for success.
The Odiyan Community
Odiyan is a lay community of 40 to 50 residents from 22 to 75 years of age, primarily from North America and Europe, in residence from one month to 36 years. Life at Odiyan includes elements such breakfast and dinner as silent formal meals with short prayers, and men and women seated at separate tables. It is a secluded environment not open to the public.
Odiyan is also home to an expanding community of domesticated animals such as horses, dogs, ducks, swans and other birds.
Setting Located in the northern coastal portion of Sonoma County about 120 miles north of San Francisco, Odiyan sits atop a ridge about 3 miles from the coast with expansive views of the ocean to the south and west. The closest town has a population of 2,000 people and is 40 minutes away by car.
Weather The weather is dramatic and swiftly changing. Winters are rainy and windy with major storms coming directly off the ocean. The summers are dry and mostly temperate, although there are periods of intense heat.
Accommodations Volunteers live two-to-a–room in the rim structure surrounding the Main Temple. All rooms have an adjoining outdoor deck. There is a large shared kitchen and dining room. Bathrooms, showers and laundry facilities are shared.
Meals Three vegetarian meals are provided Monday through Saturday. Snacks are available at breaks. On Sundays there is a community brunch. Sunday evening volunteers prepare their own meals.
Weekly Schedule Work is six days a week. Sundays are organized for special projects, cleaning chores, practice and study. Residents take turns with cooking and meal clean-up.
Daily Schedule Monday to Saturday
6:00 am Breakfast
7:00 am Begin work
9:30-10:00 am Break
12:00- 1:00pm Lunch
4:30 – 5:00pm Break
7:00 pm Finish work
7:30 pm Dinner
Newly arrived resident volunteers begin with shorter work days while adjusting to the new environment. The schedule is 7am-5pm for the first month and 7am-6pm for the second month.
The daily schedule is periodically changed to accommodate special ceremony days or particular projects that need to be finished within a certain time frame. This is especially true in the summer when extended daylight hours offer the chance to work outside longer.
Work Most volunteers are involved in the physical work of construction or maintenance of the buildings and grounds of Odiyan. Work positions generally involve manual labor and being on your feet all day.
Classes and discussions Some classes or discussion groups are offered in the evenings or on Sundays on topics ranging from Kum Nye (Tibetan yoga and relaxation) to Skillful Means (work as a path of growth), Buddhist Psychology, Dharma history, sacred art and Tibetan language.
Drugs, Smoking and Alcohol The use of drugs or tobacco in any form is strictly prohibited at Odiyan. Alcohol is permitted in moderation. This is not an appropriate environment for people experiencing withdrawal from drugs, alcohol or tobacco or individuals who have unresolved problems with addiction.
Other Commitments Participating at Odiyan is a full-time experience. Because of our location and the nature of our work it is not possible to hold down another job, live off-site, or attend to regular outside commitments.
Communication There is some internet access with one desktop station available, but it is not fast or consistent. Cell phone coverage is with Verizon from some areas of the land.
Expenses Volunteers must pay their own travel expenses to and from Odiyan. A room and damage deposit of $100 cash is required at arrival.
There is a minimal charge of approximately $2.00 for washing machines and dryers.
Suggested Reading “Gesture of Balance” and “Skillful Means” by Odiyan's founder Tarthang Tulku. Both can be purchased at http://www.dharmapublishing.com or may be available at a public library.
Odiyan is not open to short-term visitors or to the general public. Prospective volunteers are welcome to visit our sister organization, the Nyingma Institute, in Berkeley for an introduction to our community.
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