It takes a community to run a place as big as Aryaloka. Generosity can be practiced in many ways, including the helping of our friends. Volunteering at Aryaloka can be a great way to build community and friendship with others. Volunteers enjoy special events and an annual appreciation dinner.
There are a variety of ways to participate:
- Yardwork, gardening and forestry
- Cleaning and laundry
- Facility maintenance and painting
- Shrine-craft
- Festival team
- Arts events
- Retreat organization and cooking*
- Fundraising and database management
- Publicity and street team
- Social engagement (see below)
- Bringing Dharma practice into prisons or writing to inmates (see below)
- And much more!
*Ask about our retreat team: learn how becoming a retreat organizer or cook can earn retreat credits!
Some of our volunteers have formed kulas or teams. The word kula means a community of the heart, or a group coming together of its own free will, and even family. All of these definitions are good ways to describe the community of volunteer kulas at Aryaloka.
Please consider volunteering today! Contact the office at info@aryaloka.com to learn more.
Social Engagement
Engaged Buddhism is an opportunity for us to act on our deepening understanding that we live in a complex, interconnected world, in which all our thoughts, feelings and actions have consequences, for us and for other living things.
As Buddhists, we have a lot to offer our community and the world in our capacity to meet, understand, and skilfully respond to need and suffering. Learn more about engaged Buddhism in Triratna Here.
Engaged Buddhism Kula | Compassion in Action
The Engaged Buddhism Kula aims to bring our Dharma practice off the meditation cushion and into the world. The Engaged Buddhism Kula is active in a variety of ways:
- Donation boxes: For the past several years, this kula has collected donations for many different local organizations, such as the Newmarket Food Pantry, A Safe Place, Operation Blessing, and others. Donations can be placed in the boxes in the entryway. We have ongoing collections for non-perishable food, pet food, and new and gently used clothing.
- Other activities: The Engaged Buddhism Kula has participated in beach clean ups and serving food at a local pantry and seeks to expand its reach into other social and environmental concerns.
- How to help: If you are interested in learning more about the Engaged Buddhism kula, contact the Aryaloka office at info@aryaloka.org.
Kshanti Outreach | Bringing the Dharma to Prisons
Members of the Aryaloka sangha have been leading meditation and Dharma classes at the Concord State Prison for many years. There are currently two weekly classes at the Concord Prison, and quarterly retreats. Kshanti outreach also works with men as they transition out of prison to help make the transition a successful one.
Contact Satyada at satyada@stephensloan.com for more information about how to get involved. Anyone outside the prison wishing to participate in classes and retreats must be cleared by the Department of Corrections with a background check.
Kshanti Outreach is also looking for volunteers to act as pen pals, as well as donations of used Buddhist books and dharma magazines.
Karuna Trust
The Karuna Trust is a Triratna charity that works with local community groups in South Asia to help people live meaningful and dignified lives, and has a particular focus to help the poorest members of the community overcome the effects of gender and caste based discrimination. For more information about Karuna’s work or to make a donation, see their website: http://www.karuna.org/.