Volunteer Positions at PPI

Full or part-time volunteer positions are available at the Padmasambhava Peace Institute  (PPI) for those wishing to support the activities PPI focuses on – spiritual development, responsible land stewardship and creating a beautiful retreat space for oneself and the community at large.

We are located on 485 acres of coastal redwood hills in Western Sonoma County about two-and-a-half hours north of San Francisco and a few miles inland from the coast. The center is home to a community practising Tibetan Buddhism, but you do not have to be Buddhist to live at PPI – our volunteers come from all walks of life. Together with the full-time residential staff, volunteers can focus on personal growth and awareness in a supportive community while experiencing the joy of serving others and nurturing the environment.

What we offer

Room and board are offered in exchange for an agreed number of work-hours per week. Volunteers work alongside the residential staff during the day and in their free time can stay on the property or explore further afield

Spiritual instruction and support are available from the lama-in-residence Tibetan Buddhist master Jigme Rinpoche, and volunteers are welcome to join in the group daily practice and make use of the  center’s shrine-room and library. In terms of outdoor leisure, there are many beautiful places to hike around the property and we are located 30 minutes from the stunning Sonoma coastline and the Russian River resorts. Just over an hour away are the towns of Santa Rosa and Sebastopol which offer a full range of cultural activities from traditional to alternative.

PPI has a licensed contractor on site who has decades of experience training volunteers in many different areas – this is a great opportunity to get experience in some very valuable  skills.

The center maintains an organic vegetable garden which operates along principles of permaculture  as much as possible and twice a year PPI hosts Earth Activist Training courses under the direction of Starhawk and other eco/spiritual leaders.

The volunteer’s role and responsibilities

Work includes gardening (landscaping, maintenance and organic vegetable garden),  painting, cleaning, cooking assistance, general construction and shrine-room maintenance.  About once a month PPI hosts a rental or Buddhist event which volunteers also help manage. Volunteers are able to attend PPI’s major Buddhist events free of charge.

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, regardless of race, age, education, religion and sexual orientation, and are looking for volunteers with:

How to apply for a volunteer position

We invite applications by phone and email.

Please call the center during office hours (9am to 5pm Mon-Sat) on (707) 632 5629 to speak with a member of staff. Sometimes if we are very busy we may ask to talk again at a mutually convenient time.

Alternatively, you can send an email to info@padmapeace.org with ‘Volunteer’ in the subject box, and outlining the following:

1) Name

2) Phone number

3) Experience and skills you have

4) Your hopes and expectations regarding living in a retreat center

5) Any factors potentially affecting your stay, eg health issues, need for a part-time job outside PPI etc

Please note that all decisions on taking on volunteers are made after group discussion by staff and with the approval of the center’s director Jigme Rinpoche, not by any one individual.

Prospective volunteers are encouraged to come and visit PPI to get a feeling for how the Institute operates – please call ahead to arrange a visit.

WE ALSO WELCOME NON-RESIDENTIAL VOLUNTEERS

TO HELP WITH ANY ASPECT OF OUR WORK!

If you are able to spare a few hours a week or a month, we particularly appreciate assistance with gardening and general maintenance. Please meet with a member of staff to discuss how you could help.

We look forward to welcoming you to the PPI community!

This page was last updated on: September 19, 2007