We invite interested students to participate in the seventh year of the Kumara Summer Program, a combination of study, meditation, and service. The program offers committed young Dharma students an opportunity to spend the summer on Gomde’s beautiful retreat land in an atmosphere of practice, learning and work. This unique program is motivated to build a stronger youth community and offer participants an affordable retreat and study experience in exchange for service to the dharma. Students may opt for 4, 8 or 12 week sessions. For shorter periods please see the Individual Retreat Program which has access to several Kumara activities and optional work opportunities.
Study
Interns will receive in-depth instruction in Buddhist disciplines and specifically the Lojong text under the guidance of resident Lama Tsultrim Sangpo as well as senior students.
Group discussions and practices led by senior students will focus on various topics of Buddhist thought and history, Lojong (mind training) teachings and their application to daily life and to the development of meditation techniques.
Meditation
Lama Tsultrim and Lama Gerry will conduct weekly private interviews with students regarding their practice. Senior students will also be available for advice throughout the summer.
Students are encouraged to engage in 1-3 day solo retreat under the guidance of Lama Tsultrim in our retreat hut overlooking g the Eel River.
The schedule provides opportunities for extracurricular activities on Wednesdays and Sundays in and around Gomde and may include kayaking, hiking on the land or in nearby state parks, and visits to the coast. Please let us know if you will becoming with a car and can offer rides. Options will depend on group preferences, transportation availability, and support staffing.
Service
Students will be assigned to work crews led by Gomde staffers depending on skills and interests determined during the application interview. Work periods will be from 8am -12 noon 5 days a week and during the course of the day during public programs. Attendance to the Gomde Summer Seminar Season is without additional charge but students are expected to participate as staff crew members.
Gomde staffers will provide direction and instruction. Every effort is made to assign students to Crews which interest them or for which they have a skill although some days prior to public seminars may require different divisions. The Crews offered:
Kitchen- food preparation for the program as well as Gomde residents. Part of the Kitchen Crew during seminars. Some experience with food prep requested.
Housekeeping/Hospitality-indoor maintenance of residential and practice facilities and material support for solo retreatants. Part of Dining Tent and Back Kitchen crew during seminars.
Landscaping and Gardening- maintaince of the land, brush clearing, roads, water, and gardens etc. Preparation of campground for seminars. Physical strength required. Supports campers and campgrounds during seminars.
Administration- work with administrative staff on forms, website, office management, seminar administration. Computer and people skills required. Graphic design skills appreciated.
Building and Maintenance-Works with land manager on building facility maintenance including tent cabins and retreat huts. Some carpentry/construction type experience appreciated. Will be assigned to areas as needed during seminars.
Please let us know of any special skills you may have that could contribute to the center or programs – especially video/audio editing or reproduction ability, computer skills, publicity, website management, and Tibetan translation skills.
Qualifications
- Age 18-30
- Some previous experience and interest in Buddhist teachings or practices is recommended
- Each cycle is limited to 12 participants
- Program dates across three months of June, July and August
- Program Fees: one month-$500 1st month, $400- 2nd, $300-3rd
For more information, email kumara@gomdeusa.org
To fill out an application, click here. Interviews will be held after receipt of the application to determine suitability for the program and personal interests. This will also be an opportunity for detailed information regarding the program. Acceptance is finalized after the interview and a non-refundable deposit of $100.
Scholarships and Work Exchange are available. The position of Student Director is available to mature applicants with leadership experience. This position is for the entire summer and comes with a stipend. Please see the website for details
Sample Daily Schedule:
6:30 Morning Gomde group practice
7:30 Breakfast
8:30 volunteers meet with their crew leaders.
9-12 Work with assigned crew.
12:30 Lunch
1- 3 Teachings from Lama
3 – 3:30 Meditation
3:30 – 5:00 Specific day of the week activity – may include Lojong discussion group, individual interviews, guest teachers, counseling
5:30 Evening Gomde group Practice
6:30 dinner
7:30 clean up
Wednesdays and Sundays are ‘days off’ 8:30-5:30.
