Our Jobs
We are seeking resident volunteers who can commit to the season finishing in December 22, 2023.
Excited to offer lots of hands-on skill training in a variety of trades and traditional Buddhist arts, as well as organic farming and gardening. General job requirements are genuine interest in a spiritual path, and the strength and ability for physical work. We have lots of it!
1. Organic Vegetable Garden Work and Learn - Hands-on training in all aspects growing organic vegetables, herbs, and fruits.
2. Buddhist Sacred Art fabrication and installation - Working with metal, clay, concrete and wood. We prefer some experience working with tools, but not required.
3. Rescue horse sanctuary and horse care - Help improve the lives of our herd of rescued Mustangs, Requires experience with working with and caring for horses.
4. Maintenance and repair; an experienced person with maintenance and repair knowledge in any or all categories: automotive, machines, buildings, plumbing, electrical.
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Learn new skills as you help work on the installation of large-scale Buddhist art. You will learn how to work with metal (welding and shaping), concrete ( rounded art forms and pouring) and wood ( basic carpentry) to form a circular walkway of Buddhist art surrounding the main Temple of Odiyan. You must be physically strong and good with working with your hands. Some experience working with hand tools is preferred.
You will receive room and all vegetarian meals, a living allowance for personal needs ($200 per month, $300 after one year), and opportunities for meditation, mantra, Buddhist practices, and classes.
Join is for a season of meaningful work starting in mid- June, staying until Dec. 22, 2023!
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Clay Stupa Project - Come, Live, Work, and Learn! Individuals invited for major architectural clay project at Odiyan Buddhist Retreat Center. Stupas are sacred monuments that represent and activate powerful harmonious and healing forces in the world.We are hand-building nearly 200 stupas, each measuring 32 sq. inches at the base and 4 to 7 ft in height, from hundreds of pounds of red clay. This major undertaking in sacred art is being installed on site within the mandala of Odiyan.
If you are strong in body, good with your hands in using tools and making things, you can be trained in this very special Buddhist art form. Some experience in sculpting and working with clay is preferred, but not required
You will receive room and all vegetarian meals, a living allowance for personal needs ($200 per month, $300 after one year), and opportunities for meditation, mantra, Buddhist practices, and classes.
Season commitment is starting in June or first week of July through November 2023.
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The 1000 acres of Odiyan includes a herd of 25 Kiger rescued mustangs roaming in extensive pastures, and seven mini-horses. Our community is looking for two resident volunteers, preferably a couple but not required, who are familiar with horse care. Includes feeding, healthcare, maintaining fencing, and helping to build a new barn.
Like all residents at Odiyan, you receive room and all vegetarian meals, a living allowance for personal needs ($200 per month, $300 after one year), and opportunities for meditation, mantra, Buddhist practices, and classes.
Join is for a season of meaningful work with our horses, Starting in June or first week of July, through November 2023!
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Work and Learn in our organic gardens!
Get real world experience of organic farming at Odiyan Buddhist retreat center in rural Sonoma County, CA. Learn practical skills from our master gardeners at our 2.5 acre organic community gardens, orchards, and greenhouses. Your farming education will include discussions, hands-on structured work-and-learn field sessions, and field trips to other working organic farms. Be part of the process from seed to plate as you also learn to cook vegetarian meals from your own produce to help feed our community.
You will receive room and all vegetarian meals, a living allowance for personal needs ($200 per month, $300 after one year), and opportunities for meditation, mantra, Buddhist practices, and classes.
Join us for the Summer/Fall season starting in June or first week of July through November 2023. See https://odiyan.org/garden-program
Garden volunteers who wish to stay on will have opportunity for the Winter season Dec. through March.
How to Apply
- Couples are welcome.
- We cannot accept children or animal companions
- Minimum age is 21
See our Volunteer pages for more details or Contact Us
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Covid policies: All new residents must be fully vaccinated, including one booster within the past year.