Through work we can learn to use our energy wisely so that all of our actions are fruitful and rich.
Skillful Means
Location
Volunteers live at Ratna Ling or Odiyan within a few miles of each other located in the coastal Redwood hills of western Sonoma County about 110 miles north of San Francisco. Ratna Ling is home to the Tibetan Book Project, Dharma Publishing and the Ratna Ling Retreat Center, all non-profit 100% volunteer organizarions.
See more photos and detials about resident volunteer at our volunteer web site.
Odiyan is our temple center, also all-volunteer and non-profit.
Community Living
Livng at Ratna Ling or at Odiyan is to be part of an intentional community striving to learn how best to live together as a group of individuals with diverse backgrounds, yet shared goals and values. We uphold basic Buddhist principles such as appropriate behavior toward others, cleanliness, not harming animals or insects and simple practices such as observing essential speech while working, wearing modest clothing during work even in hot weather and removing outdoor shoes for classes and practice.
Our intentional community demands that all volunteers exhibit the sincere intention to work and live harmoniously with others, contributing to a healthy and pleasant living environment. Volunteers are assigned to jobs outside of regularly scheduled work hours, such as meal clean-up and chores to maintain the community spaces.
The environment also provides opportunities for personal reflection and the latitude to make positive changes in one's life. We are seeking volunteers who wish to take advantage of the unique environment by participating in classes and utilizing free time for meditation practice, reading and study, participating in sacred art projects or developing new skills.
Classes
Volunteers with the Tibetan Book Project participate in classes 4 evenings a week from 6 -7 pm with an optional class on Tibetan language on Fridays.
There are optional early morning sessions in meditation and Tibetan yoga 6 mornings per week, sacred arts and crafts as well as other community projects in the evenings and on Sundays.
The work-study retreat program engages both traditional and contemporary practices and study centering around Skillful Means , Tibetan Yoga ( Kum Nye) and Buddhist studies.
See the daily and weekly schedule here. See the class schedule here
Housing
Volunteers live in shared accommodations, two or three people to a room in on-site buildings. All accommodations are fully furnished and include bedding. It is an outdoor walk to the kitchen and dining area, laundry facilities and, in some cases, to the bathroom and shower facilities
Meals
Vegetarian meals are provided Monday through Saturday lunch. Saturday evenings and Sunday residents make their own meals using designated kitchen supplies or leftovers. Snacks are provided during the work day. We are known for our great food!
We are not always able to accommodate special dietary needs so if you have multiple or unusual food allergies, you may need to purchase some of your own food.
For more pictures of community life, visit our photo gallery