Volunteer at Kongoji Zen Temple
Currently, we are at full capacity and are unable to accept additional volunteers at this time.
Live together with the head priest of the temple and help keep the temple garden clean.
You will open the temple at 6 am and clean the front yard as well as the Zen garden in the back of the temple by weeding, trimming hedges, and sweeping.
During volunteering you will have your own traditional tatami room and sleep on Japanese futon, eat together with the staff breakfast and lunch and even with the volunteer work, you will be able to go travelling on your days off.
Choose between one of the following Volunteer Programs:
You will open the temple at 6 am and clean the front yard as well as the Zen garden in the back of the temple by weeding, trimming hedges, and sweeping.
During volunteering you will have your own traditional tatami room and sleep on Japanese futon, eat together with the staff breakfast and lunch and even with the volunteer work, you will be able to go travelling on your days off.
Choose between one of the following Volunteer Programs:
"Work Program"
Your daily work primarily consists of weeding, with a strong focus on the temple garden. Each day, you will tend to the moss and other plants, ensuring they remain lush and vibrant. You'll also care for the Dry Landscape Garden (Zen Garden) where you'll meticulously rake patterns into the gravel and maintain the precise arrangement of stones.
While the tasks can be physically demanding and may seem repetitive, they offer a profound insight into the inner workings of Japanese temples.
Through this volunteer work, you will not only contribute to the temple's upkeep but your work contributes to the overall harmony of the Zen temple.
While the tasks can be physically demanding and may seem repetitive, they offer a profound insight into the inner workings of Japanese temples.
Through this volunteer work, you will not only contribute to the temple's upkeep but your work contributes to the overall harmony of the Zen temple.
"Skill Program"
The content of your work will be tailoured to your unique skills.
For example: If you are a carpenter you can help by building a wooden deck to meditate, as a stone mason you can build a stone path, as a Yoga instructor you will be able to teach locals daily at the temple, or as a social media manager you will get free hand over our social media account during your stay...
If you have skills which we can implement into the daily life at the Zen temple, you will have the freedom to do half or all of the working schedule what you love.
Your work helps guide the temple into the future and makes its vision a reality.
For example: If you are a carpenter you can help by building a wooden deck to meditate, as a stone mason you can build a stone path, as a Yoga instructor you will be able to teach locals daily at the temple, or as a social media manager you will get free hand over our social media account during your stay...
If you have skills which we can implement into the daily life at the Zen temple, you will have the freedom to do half or all of the working schedule what you love.
Your work helps guide the temple into the future and makes its vision a reality.
※ To discover the area independently you can choose between working 4 full days (and getting 3 days off) or working for 5 half days (and getting 2 days off).
※ Please note that you are responsible for obtaining your meals on your days off.
※ Volunteers opting for a half-day commitment will receive breakfast and lunch during their working days, while dinner will not be provided. For those volunteering for full-day, we will share breakfast, lunch, and dinner together during working days.
※ Working clothes will be handed to you on your first day. Please take some good shoes with you, otherwise you will have to work in traditional Japanese footwear.
※ You will have your private room, which you have to keep clean during your stay. The bathroom, living room and kitchen will be shared. (If you are volunteering together with someone else, you will share the toilet with the other volunteer.)
※ Please bring your own toothbrush and toothpaste with you.
※ Arrival time is flexible; you can arrive whenever you prefer. The first day is dedicated solely to introductions.
※ Please note that you are responsible for obtaining your meals on your days off.
※ Volunteers opting for a half-day commitment will receive breakfast and lunch during their working days, while dinner will not be provided. For those volunteering for full-day, we will share breakfast, lunch, and dinner together during working days.
※ Working clothes will be handed to you on your first day. Please take some good shoes with you, otherwise you will have to work in traditional Japanese footwear.
※ You will have your private room, which you have to keep clean during your stay. The bathroom, living room and kitchen will be shared. (If you are volunteering together with someone else, you will share the toilet with the other volunteer.)
※ Please bring your own toothbrush and toothpaste with you.
※ Arrival time is flexible; you can arrive whenever you prefer. The first day is dedicated solely to introductions.
| *Typical Work Schedule |
|
|---|---|
| 05:55 am - 06 am | Opening of temple |
| 06 am |
Ringing of temple bell |
| 06:30 am | Breakfast |
| 08 am - 09 am (1h) |
Cleaning of front yard |
| 09 am - 10:30 am (1.5h) |
Cleaning of Zen garden |
| 10:30 am - Noon (1.5h) |
Cleaning of back garden |
| Noon | Lunch |
| 02 pm - 05 pm (3h) |
Free Time or work depending on the temples schedule |
*On Mondays at 6am there will be a morning ceremony and at 6:30am and 8:15pm Zen meditation held at the temple. On this day the schedule will change.
For more information, please get in touch with us on Facebook or Instagram.
(Please keep in mind, that volunteering at a Buddhist temple includes a lot of physical labour.)
(Please keep in mind, that volunteering at a Buddhist temple includes a lot of physical labour.)