The work exchange program offers people a unique opportunity to live in a Dharma setting and to provide service to this special centre in exchange for accommodation and food.
Why participate in the Work Exchange Program?
Chenrezig Institute depends on committed and enthusiastic volunteers to achieve its mission. Being a work exchange participant at Chenrezig Institute gives you the opportunity to further your own practice through serving others, meditation, attending teachings and living within a practicing and supportive community. As our mission states, the work exchange program gives you the opportunity to help others transform their lives for the benefit and happiness of all.
Live-in and Day Volunteers
Chenrezig Institute has two categories of volunteer.
Live-in work exchange participants: work approximately 30 hours per week. Benefits provided in return for this service are accommodation, meals, training and access to Buddhist teaching at the institute.
Day volunteers: live off the premises and offer their assistance in a variety of roles on a regular or occasional basis. In return for their service, day volunteers earn ‘Dharma Dollars’ that can be used to offset the cost of Buddhist teachings at the institute.
What time commitment do I need to make?
Generally work exchange participants make a commitment to come to Chenrezig for between one and three months. We encourage you to consider this timeframe as most of our work exchange participants find that this gives you time to settle into your new lifestyle, build a relationship with the community and really develop your own practice.
When work exchange participants commence the program, it is on a one week trial basis. At the end of the week, you will sit down with the Manager to discuss your experiences so far; what you have enjoyed; what areas you would most like to work in and other projects you could become involved in. Occasionally this is a time at which either the work exchange participant or Manager will request that engagement with the Work Exchange program finishes. This process of meeting with the Manager will also be repeated at the end of the month on the Work Exchange program.
If I live-in, what will my week be like?
Generally work exchange participants make a commitment to come to Chenrezig for between one and three months. We encourage you to consider this timeframe as most of our work exchange participants find that this gives you time to settle into your new lifestyle, build a relationship with the community and really develop your own practice.
During your time here you will be working as part of a roster with other work exchange participants. Live-in participants will be working approximately thirty hours per week made up of five, six hour days, (including your lunch and tea break) followed by two days off. Your two days off will vary so that each volunteer has the opportunity to attend the different activities and teachings on offer at the institute.
What jobs will I be doing?
As a volunteer you will be assigned to a team: Kitchen, Housekeeping, Grounds / Maintenance. As part of your initial training you will be teamed with another more experienced volunteer who will show you the ropes and answer your questions. Each of these teams has a manager who will help you get to know your role and your new team-mates.
If I live-in, what will my accommodation be like?
Work exchange participants are housed in a range of accommodations including:
· The Family Center - building with 5 x rooms with a shared kitchen and bathroom;
· Male and female dormitories
· A variety of huts and A-frame accommodation
What about meals?
Meals are lovingly prepared in the Lama Yeshe Big Love Café by a head chef assisted by other work exchange participants. All meals are vegetarian and tasty, designed to fill you up and keep you healthy and happy. Meals are made from fresh local produce and organic produce is used as much as possible. Lunch is the main meal for the community and is served from 12noon to 1pm with a light supper, generally soup, provided from 5:30pm.
If you are on the work exchange program, you will receive all meals in exchange for 30 hours of work per week. If you are a day volunteer you are entitled to lunch each day in return for your work.
Living in a Buddhist Community?
Chenrezig Community is made up of Sangha and lay people who come from a variety of experiences and cultures. What unites us is our commitment to Buddhist teachings and lifestyle. As a work exchange participant we ask that, while you are here, you too will make that commitment. To be sure you understand exactly what this means, we include our Code of Conduct as follow; complying with this code demonstrates your respect for the community.
Code of Conduct
While on the Chenrezig Institute property it is expected that all volunteers, workers, students and sangha will endeavor to maintain the following standards of behaviour:
1) To abstain from intentionally killing any living being
2) To abstain from stealing or taking that which is not freely given
3) To abstain from lying
4) To abstain from sexual misconduct
5) To abstain from intoxicants
6) To engage in respectful speech and actions toward all sangha, visitors, students, workers, residents and other volunteers.
7) To avoid harmful speech such as slander, gossip, arguing or complaining in the public areas of Chenrezig Institute and instead use appropriate grievance procedures to resolve your concerns.
8) To behave in a way that is mindful of the Chenrezig Institute values of compassion, respect, harmony and spiritual focus.
9) To refrain from smoking except for in the designated area.
10) To refrain from playing music, singing or dancing with abandon.
11) To refrain from all sexual contact.
12) To dress modestly while in all public areas such as the Gompa or Café, by covering your body between neck and knees.
If you’d like to be involved with Chenrezig Institute; we invite you to submit the online application. We will contact you shortly.
