Resident Steward Application Form

Personal Information

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Guest / Steward Guidelines

The Birken Guest Guide can be found here.

Stewards are expected to abide by the Eight Precepts during their stay at the monastery. In exceptional cases (e.g. if you have hypoglycemia or diabetes), you may request an exception from the Eight Precepts to have a light evening snack. These exceptions must be approved by the Abbot prior to your arrival.

DUTIES POLICY: Birken is a working monastery, off-grid and far from services. As a result, we expect all stewards to be willing to go above and beyond in service to the sangha, to be flexible, and to step in and take care of any necessary duties, even those outside of your regular work assignments. Days off are not guaranteed nor the number of hours you may work in a day.
FOOD POLICY: Kitchen stewards will follow the food type and preparation directions of the monastery. Please watch Ajahn Sona's recent YouTube Q&A which addresses the issue of eating and preparing meat at the monastery. We also abide by standard kitchen health guidelines (please read the BC Centre for Disease Control Food Safety guidelines and watch the related video.)

Commitment & Community

3-month minimum commitment. Upon arrival, all stewards undertake a 2 week trial period, to determine that stewardship is a good fit for us and you. Stewardships can be extended with approval from the Abbot.

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Accepted formats: .pdf, .docx, .jpeg (pdf preferred)

Physical & Mental Health

Please tell us about any physical situations that might affect your participation in the monastery schedule, activities, guidelines, adherence to the Eight Precepts, etc.

Emergency Contact

Name, phone number, and/or e-mail address of an emergency contact.

If you have any additional information that you would like us to know, please list it here. Limit 3,000 characters.

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