Work in exchange for food and dorming at a Buddhist temple
For a while, I've been fantasizing about running away to a Buddhist temple for a month or so to work in exchange for hours of group meditation time, dorming, and food. I'm going to be spending the next 7 months abroad (starting in Spain) traveling with no specific plan in mind.
Any ideas on where/how to find a Buddhist Temple w/ this description.
I'm familiar w/ wwoof, but no luck thus far. Any other resources if you don't have specifics in mind?
Edit not from OP to incorporate part of Comment from OP:
anywhere "within reach" of Spain, so Europe or Northern Africa
Best Answer
Cittaviveka might suit:
Cittaviveka does not receive support from any powerful backers or institutions; it sells nothing and all teachings as well as books are given freely. No charge is made for people to stay here; the resident Sangha is prohibited from possessing or dealing in money. The community draws from its own skills to keep the monastery going, and in this is aided by various lay advisory committees. The Cittaviveka Advisory Group and the English Sangha Trust supervise these.
Cittaviveka is completely dependent on donations. It is financially managed by the English Sangha Trust, a registered charity which can receive and administer any such donations. The Trust Secretary will be happy to answer any queries concerning the nature of the Trust. Also, please see the 'By offering money' link below.
There are several ways to support Cittaviveka;
By offering money – to the monastery steward or lay Treasurer.
By offering requisites – such as food, furnishings, equipment.
By offering service – in terms of skills or advice.
It is situated in West Sussex, England in the hamlet of Chithurst between Midhurst and Petersfield.
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Can you go live in a Buddhist temple?
For a couple of months you can Live in a Buddhist monastery as a volunteer to gain the experience of a lifetime. A Buddhist Monastery volunteer gets the opportunity to not just intermingle with the Buddhist people, but live like the way they do and understand their hardships and also their culture, traditions.What can you not do in a Buddhist temple?
Turn off mobile phones, remove headphones, lower your voice, avoid inappropriate conversation, remove hats, and no smoking or chewing gum. You are likely entering an actual consecrated area, where locals go to commune with the sacred, so any hint of irreverence might cause deep offense.What do you do at a Buddhist temple?
Temples are centres for study and worship for the whole community. Worship in the temple includes chanting the Three Refuges and Precepts and the scriptures , giving offerings in front of an image of the Buddha , lighting candles, burning incense , meditating and listening to sermons .What services did Buddhist monasteries provide?
The monastery quickly became important and had a three-fold purpose: as a residence for monks, as a center for religious work (on behalf of the laity) and as a center for Buddhist learning.Meal in Buddhist monastery - October 2016
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Answer 2
There are temples in Thailand and other SE Asian destinations who would accept a foreigner who wanted to learn and meditate. You wouldn't "work for food" but rather you will share the temple chores with the rest of the monks, help with alms rounds and eat from the offerings, meditate, basically follow the route of a novice monk.
I don't know of any apps or organization that will point you to a temple, you simply have to ask around. Accepting foreigners / non-believers is up to the temple's abbot and you would likely be the only foreigner in residence.
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