Mahamudra Centre for Universal Unity Work Exchange guidelines

Background Information

 As part of the FPMT, we value the bodhisattva ideal – letting go of self and serving others. We are committed to compassionate service – cherishing others more than ourselves and to doing as much as we are able, to bring happiness to all.

Offering service to the centre is about far more than receiving lodgings in return. It’s important to understand that while offering your service and performing your karma yoga, you are learning how to apply the Buddha’s teachings in day-to-day life, learning to offer service joyously, generating love and compassion. You are a student as much as those carrying out retreats or taking part in courses at the centre.

We work and live harmoniously, to serve, to learn and to interact with the community, with care and integrity. To support this focus, we ask you to be aware of the whole as well as individual needs, and while humbly serving others, keep thinking, ‘I am here in training, to practice serving without expecting anything in return. I am working so that others may benefit from the Dharma. Let me help them by setting a good example, and in so doing help myself as well. Let me offer service with a kind heart and with joy that I have this opportunity to serve others.

The staff and their responsibilities

Venerable Nangsel (Director)

Sue Guthrie (Centre Manager)

Hedwig Bakker (Spiritual Program Coordinator) 

Our commitment to you
We are committed to having a relationship with you based on respect, trust, openness and clarity.
We will provide you with clean, simple accommodation (Dorm) and simple vegetarian meals (subject to change in winter time). We are thankful for your work and support and will try and find work suited to your interests and skills. We are very blessed by the natural environment we live in and encourage you to enjoy it to the full. The Meditation room (Gompa) is always open for you to use.  We offer daily meditation classes and videos on Buddhist Philosophy and practice for those who are interested.  Volunteers will also receive a discount on all courses being held at the centre. 

In return we ask you to agree to;
Complete a work exchange agreement form. If you don't have a valid work permit you will need to offer 50 cents per day for accommodation, with your work time being offered as a donation to the centre.  This keeps us in ethics with immigration requirements. 

Abide by the five basic precepts:
Protect living beings –refrain from killing even tiny insects
Respect others belongings - refrain from stealing
Speak truthfully – refrain from lying
Respect Mahamudra as a space for spiritual introspection and development – refrain from sexual conduct
Cultivate clarity of mind and body – refrain from using intoxicants, alcohol, tobacco, etc….

In exchange for your accommodation (and maybe simple food during the summer season) we ask our volunteers to work at least 5 hours each day.  The work is varied but gardening, maintenance, accommodation preparation and household is ongoing. One day in seven is off. 

Some areas of the land are designated retreat areas. This means the huts are occupied by people engaged in meditation and spiritual practice. Please maintain silence when near these areas and take your interaction cue from those on retreat. If they are quiet and do not engage in much conversation, then please just enjoy their presence and allow them the quiet they need.

The rhythm of being here

In order to facilitate a harmonious work environment, we encourage all residents to start the day together in meditation. Guided Meditation sessions are held in the Gompa each morning between 8.00 and 8.30 am. Sunday mediation takes place between 10.00 am and 10.30 am.
The work period begins with a  meeting at 9.15am to outline the duties for the day.  

Usually after lunch and cleaning up, the centre settles into a more contemplative and restful mode. Sometimes there is conversation, sometimes we need time alone or in nature so the afternoons are a time to listen to your inner needs and follow them. This is your free time and a perfect chance to go off exploring some of the local beaches, bush walks, and alternative communities. We are situated across from riding stables.
During your stay feel free to make use of the library and teaching videos, which can be watched throughout the day, until 9pm. We simply ask that you treat the books as holy objects and refrain from putting them on the ground or taking them off the property. 

In order to support the retreat environment, we ask that people are mindful of the noise levels after 9pm. It is important that these time frames are respected and we ask you to support others in this process.

Sharing with us

The living space (kitchen, lounge and bathroom) are shared by staff and paying guests, so we ask you to please take care not to leave personal toiletries in the bathroom and be scrupulous about cleaning up after yourself. If you leave things untidy it encourages others to do the same, so please leave the space tidy for others to enjoy.
Help to deter animals by storing food properly in sealed containers. We have opportunistic rats and possums around. Be aware of your voice level around the house and practice silence around the Gompa and  when returning to your dormitory in the evening.

Unfortunately we do not have phone or Internet Access available for guests at the centre. We look forward to being able to offer this facility in the near future. In the meantime, there is a phone box and Internet access available in Colville.
In order to reduce fire hazards, we ask that you put the fire screen up if leaving it unattended, extinguish all candles and incense when leaving the meditation hall and refrain from using candles in your room. 

We gather all our own water from the rain, so we have a very limited supply! Please be mindful of this when showering, doing the washing up and doing the laundry.

The centre is dependent upon the kindness of others and is supported largely by donation. We ask you to help us conserve energy (switch of the lights, only put full loads in the washing machine, etc) and follow the recycling procedures we have in place.

Length of stay

We prefer long term volunteers. (minimum 2 weeks)

When you are leaving

Please leave the areas you have used clean and tidy, putting any used bed linen or towels by the washing machine and vacuuming your room.  Please let us know if anything needs repair.

These guidelines have evolved over time and are based on the experience and insight of many practitioners, visitors and other Centres. We welcome your feedback.

We look forward to having you with us. Come and Enjoy – it’s a very special place!

We also have two vacancies for longer term Volunteers

We are looking for a vegetarian cook, to cater for courses, retreats, staff and volunteers. Responsibilities include cooking for up to 25 people, ordering kitchen supplies and maintaining kitchen to hign standard. If you would like to offer service and nourish others with your cooking and humour we would love to hear from you. 


We also need a housekeeper to take care of  house, guest rooms, co-ordinate volunteers, assist with hospitality and relieve on the cooks days off.

Both positions are for a 3 month term giving 35 hours a week service with two days off. We offer single room accommodation, all meals and opportunities to attend retreats and courses