Support the Torch of Tibetan Wisdom

Work and live in a spiritual community of like-minded people dedicated to service to humanity through a wide variety of projects both local and global.  This year-round  resident volunteer program combines meaningful work with opportunities for self-growth. We have two locations - our city location is in Berkeley and called the Nyingma Institute, and our rural location is in Sonoma County and is called Ratna Ling.

Room and Board

Berkeley Location (Nyingma Institute):

Volunteers live in shared rooms, usually two people to a room. Bathroom and showers are shared with separated stalls.

Sonoma County Location (Ratna Ling):

Currently there are shared accommodations available in on- site buildings, trailers and yomes. (A yome is a cross between a yurt and a dome.)

Delicious vegetarian meals are served at both locations.

Benefits

• Living allowance stipend ($150 for 6 month commitment or more)
• Job training in marketable skills
• Free classes on various aspects of Tibetan Buddhism
• Opportunity to contribute to meaningful projects

The mission of all work of our community is supporting Buddhist practitioners  throughout Asia and helping make the wisdom of the Tibetan Buddhist tradition available to the western world. Contribute your life skills or learn new ones that can be taken to the workplace at large.

Please review our web site for descriptions of the many types of volunteer work we have available within our projects and organizations.

Transportation Info

Our rural program is located at the Ratna Ling Retreat Center, about 100 miles north of San Francisco in the Redwood landscape of the Sonoma Coastal range. Ratna Ling can be reached by car, bus or airport shuttle from both the Oakland airport and the San Francisco airport. The city program in Berkeley, CA is served by both the Oakland and San Francisco airports. Travel to our locations is at your own expense.

How to Apply

Apply Now

The minimum commitment is 6 months, although you can volunteer for a shorter period at our country center, Ratna Ling. You'll find comprehensive info, contact information and an application by clicking on the Learn More link below.

Our Opportunities:

• Publishing and book bindery
• Cooking
• Maintenance
• IT, Graphic design
• Large site systems management
• Sacred art production
• Fundraising/Marketing

Apply Now | Learn More