Resident Stewardships
In non-Buddhist countries, remote monasteries like Birken depend on the voluntary help of long-term Resident Lay Stewards. Stewards live at the monastery full-time and volunteer their services free of charge. This is an excellent opportunity for practitioners who are looking for a simple life devoted to the Buddha’s teachings, who are inspired to do meritorious acts of service for the monastic Sangha, and who wish to dwell in the company of like-minded individuals committed to these ideals.
Accepting applications for Outdoor Stewards
Suitable Resident Lay Steward candidates will possess:
– Excellent physical and mental health.
– Willingness to work every day in service to the monastery.
– Commitment of three months.
– Willingness to learn and adapt; to live and cooperate harmoniously in community.
– Stable personality.
– Well-established meditation practice.
– Commitment to abide by the protocols outlined in our Birken Guest Guide. This is required reading before applying; please note our Food & Drink policies on page 16.
– Commitment to abide by the Eight Precepts while at the monastery (see Birken Guest Guide, page 8).
Resident Canadians only. Preference is give to those who have visited Birken in the past, and candidates with a driver’s license (drivers license is required for outdoor stewards serving in winter).
Please note that people’s expectations of life at a monastery rarely match the realities of living in community and far away from city life. For all new stewards, even for people who have visited us as guests in the past, the first three weeks of your service period will be treated as a trial period for both you and the monastery to assess our mutual suitability.
Stewardships are typically for a period of three months (office stewards for six if April-September). All stewards must have an “exit plan” for departure at the conclusion of stewardship. In some circumstances, stewardship can be extended in consultation with the monastic community.
Job Descriptions
KITCHEN STEWARD:
Kitchen Stewards are responsible for shopping for preparing lunch from a set menu, and setting out offerings for breakfast and teatime for the resident community and guests. They also help to manage kitchen facilities and supplies; clean the kitchen and storage areas; organize garbage and recycling; look after the housekeeping and restocking duties for the main building; and driving to Kamloops for weekly shopping and errands. These duties are shared amongst all of the kitchen stewards. Ability to lift up to 50 pounds is required. Assisting in other areas of monastery duties may also be required.
OUTDOOR STEWARD:
The Outdoor Steward assists with care of the grounds of the monastery, including winter duties such as the daily starting and stoking of our wood stoves, clearing snow from roofs, walkways, and paths, as well as snow plowing our 7km logging road with a tractor. Ability to lift up to 70 pounds is required. The ideal candidate will possess handy skills and experience with basic carpentry. Experience with tractor driving is helpful. Assisting in other areas of monastery duties, including helping out in the kitchen and driving to town are possible. Driver’s License required.
OFFICE STEWARD:
The Office Stewards are responsible for coordinating the monastery’s email, mail and phone correspondence; communicating with guests visiting the monastery; attending to the administrative needs of the resident monastics; and providing support to Birken’s manager and bookkeeper. Ideal candidates will have good organizational, communication and computer skills, as well as prior experience in an office/administrative setting. Preference is given to those candidates with long-standing relationships with the monastery.
Now Open: Accepting applications for all positions
How to Apply:
If you are interested in serving as a resident steward at Birken, please read the information and job descriptions above, including our entire Birken Guest Guide. It is an excellent introduction to the monastery and outlines daily community life during times when we are open to guests.
If you would like to apply for one of our steward positions after reading the required information above, we invite you to fill out our online application form by clicking the “Apply Now” button below.
Should you have any further questions, please email us: meditate@birken.ca