The Volunteer Work Study Program at Ratna Ling offers a unique opportunity for individuals from all walks of life to participate in a variety of positions related to the management and maintenance of a retreat center. Currently we have positions available for:

Marketing/Graphic Design: A creative individual with experience in In Design and Photoshop to assist with marketing our numerous organizations and activities via newsletters, facebook, print and digital ads, etc. 

Gardener/Landscaper:  A self-starter with a some experience and a broad interest in landscaping and gardening.  Care for and enhance the landscaping over the whole 120 acres of the property as well as tend our small but prolific vegetable and flower garden. 

Maintenance: An independent, motivated person with good general skills from carpentry to plumbing or electrical, to help maintain the public facilities of Lodge, Conference Center and Meditation Hall, as well as volunteer housing, our extensive water treatment plant. We will train the right person in areas they are not familiar with. A person with good skills, a great work ethic and a genial attitude would be ideal.

Head Chef: An experienced vegetarian cook to plan, prepare and present wholesome, balanced gourmet meals for retreat guests and volunteers. Must be organized and independent. Seeking someone interested in incorporating mindfulness in the kitchen.

"A mindful cook is one who is fully present—living in the moment, here and now, with complete attention. Mindful cooking allows us to be fully awake and aware, relaxed and happy, eager to share the fruits of our labors with others."

Prep Cook: An enthusiastic individual with some prep experience. Assist the head chef in preparing meals for volunteers and retreat guests 6 days a week.  Quick, Creative, Balanced and eager to learn about vegetarian cooking would be good descriptions of the ideal applicant.

Housekeeper: This half time position will be responsible for the cleaning of cottages and cabins after retreats and then work with the Yeshe De Sacred Text Project the rest of the time. Someone who is hard-working, independent and has an eye for detail would be great for this job. 

We require a minimum 6 month commitment for all of these positions. A living reimbursement of $150.00 per month plus room and board are provided. A variety of classes, daily meditation sacred art projects and participation in traditional ceremonies are available to enhance one's study and knowledge.

We are a 100% volunteer organization. We are specifically looking for volunteers who can make a 6 month commitment. After you read about our volunteer opportunity, if you feel it would be a match for you, please fill out the attached application and email Included below is a general description of our Volunteer Program and what the volunteer experience includes. Please see our http://www.nyingmavolunteer.org/RLloc.html as well.

The Ratna Ling Volunteer Program – General Information

Resident Volunteers who come to Ratna Ling need to be flexible, independent and willing to participate in the challenges and changeability of a start-up enterprise in a rural setting.

Application process: Applications are initially screened by the Resident Volunteer Committee to determine if the applicant may be a good fit for the program. This is followed by a phone interview and reference checks. Our primary criteria are that applicants have compatible interests, are capable of living and working in harmony with others and can demonstrate the stability needed to follow through with commitments. The application process can take up to 3-4 weeks. 

One Month Trial:  Applicants accepted into the program participate in an orientation and trial period that can last up to one month. The purpose of the trial period is to confirm, to our mutual agreement, that the program is a good fit for us both. During this trial period either you or the volunteer committee can decide that this is not a beneficial relationship and choose to discontinue it.

What is included:  All resident volunteers receive free housing, meals and access to evening  classes.  Any volunteer who makes a commitment of 90 days or more is eligible for a living allowance of $150 a month.

Expenses: Volunteers must cover their travel expenses round trip to Ratna Ling

Cleaning and Security Deposit: We collect a $100.00 cash, refundable security and cleaning deposit upon arrival. This will be held and returned to the volunteer at the time of their departure

Ratna Ling is also home to Dharma Publishing and Yeshe De Sacred Text Preservation Project. Both organizations currently have volunteer positions open. This application can be used for those opportunities as well.

Weekly Schedule:  Volunteers work Monday through Saturday. The workday begins at 8 am and ends at 6:15 pm with 2 breaks at mid-morning and mid-afternoon and a lunch hour. A structured before-work morning practice Monday to Saturday is also offered for those wishing to establish and/or maintain a regular meditation practice. 

Daily Schedule at Ratna Ling – Monday to Saturday

Although the schedule may vary occasionally, here is a sample schedule to give you an idea of the daily routine: 

6:00-6:45 am             Morning Practice (optional)

8:00 am                      Work begins

10:00 am                    Break- 30 minutes

12:30 pm                     Lunch – 1 hour

3:00 pm                      Break – 30 minutes

6:15 pm                       Work finishes

7 pm                            Classes          

Saturdays from 8 – 10 am is devoted to community work for the maintenance of our beautiful environment. Sundays are for chores, errands and personal time.

Classes at Ratna Ling:  We have begun a compressive course of study “Unfolding the Beauty of the Human Spirit” that incorporates Dharma(teachings from traditional texts) Meditation (Kum Nye – Tibetan Yoga) and Conduct, which puts our study and practice to work in every hour of the day as our special path. Classes are usually in the evenings after work or during the day.

Meals: Vegetarian meals are provided from Monday through Saturday lunch in the large shared kitchen and dining areas.  Snacks are provided during the work day.  On Saturday evenings and Sunday, resident volunteers may make their own meals using designated kitchen supplies or may reheat leftovers or drive to nearby towns for a meal out.

Housing: Currently there are shared accommodations available in on-site buildings.All living quarters have electricity and adjacent bathroom facilities, and most have wireless internet access. Most resident volunteers live in shared rooms, usually two people to a room, supplied with beds, sheets, blanket, comforter, pillow, and bath towel. Rooms have shelves, a closet, lamps, a trash can and possibly other simple furnishing such as a desk.  All housing requires a beautiful outdoor walk to the kitchen and dining area, laundry facilities and, in some cases, to the bathroom and shower facilities.

Other commitments: Becoming a Resident Volunteer is a full-time commitment. We ask that you make yourself fully available. It is not possible to hold down a job or attend regular outside commitments.  If you have health or family considerations that may require time away, please indicate these on the application. We work year round with the exception of a two-week break during the mid- winter holiday. Pets and children cannot accompany you. Couples are welcome to apply.

Community Life
Volunteers need not have any particular relationship with Buddhism to participate, just an open-minded respect for oneself, members of the community and the place itself. While Ratna Ling does not function as a traditional monastic community, it does uphold Buddhist principles such as appropriate behavior toward others, cleanliness, and not harming animals or insects. Please be aware that all residents are asked to respect certain simple practices to help maintain the respectful atmosphere. Examples of this are not wearing outdoor shoes indoors, and keeping rooms and common areas clean.

Volunteers are expected to work and live harmoniously with others, contributing to a healthy and pleasant living environment. The community setting coupled with challenging work and spiritual goals encourage the development of valuable qualities which can enrich one's life such as self-reliance, inner discipline, willingness to offer one's energy fully and work cooperatively with others. The environment provides opportunities for personal reflection and the latitude to make positive changes in one's life. We encourage volunteers to take advantage of this unique environment by participating in classes and utilizing free time for more than customary entertainment such as socializing, watching movies or surfing the internet. Though these activities are not restricted, we have found that people appreciate and benefit from their experience here more if they take advantage of new possibilities living in a spiritual community can accommodate. Volunteers often enjoy the beauty of the gardens, the outdoors of the country center and the surrounding areas, opportunities for meditation practice, side projects in an area of interest, and developing one's knowledge and skills.

Controlled substances: Consumption of illegal substances by program participants is prohibited. This program is not appropriate for those experiencing withdrawal or recovery from drugs, alcohol or nicotine or for those with unresolved problems with addiction or psychological imbalance. If you are currently a smoker, please do not apply.

Suggested reading: To become more familiar with our ways of working and practicing, we suggest two books authored by Nyingma Center’s founder, Tarthang Tulku, "Gesture of Balance" and "Skillful Means". Both are available at http://www.dharmapublishing.com and some public library