Join us at our Buddhist retreat center near Thames, New Zealand
Last activity
: 19 Apr 2025
Profile information
Usually responds within 3 days
Min stay requested: at least a week
Workawayers needed
Possibility that workawayers are needed
No availability
Details
Host ref number: 662495799887
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Feedback (4)
Left by host for Workawayer (Eilidh)
Eilidh is a fun and friendly person to be with. She is also talented and a willing worker. She enjoyed painting window frames for us and did a good job. She is musical and improvised on her wooden flute for the Community each evening. I have enjoyed getting to know her very much.
Left by host for Workawayer (Elena)
Elena was delightful company and a good team worker. She has carpentry skills which she put to excellent use. She was willing and enthusiastic in her work all week and participated fully in all other aspects of the retreat.
Left by Workawayer (Elena) for host
I had an incredible time at this place!! The days were packed and the setup isn't like other workaway experiences I've had/heard about (but this was a great thing!). Each day we got up at 6:30 and had an hour meditation at 7, then breakfast followed by a work meeting laying out plans for the day. We'd work from about 10-1, break for lunch for an
… read more hour, then work from 2-4:30. We'd have a more educational 5 o'clock meditation hour, dinner, an hour of rest, then evening meditation for another hour. I was probably the least experienced there in terms of meditation and knowledge about Buddhism in general, but I read lots of books in my week with the group and had lots of long and engaging conversations throughout the day and night. Work-wise I helped build a platform outside of the meditation room, attached supports for a new railing on the upper retreat center deck, and helped lay water pipe near the stupa. I so appreciated all the knowledge and experience that was shared with me. I thought 3 hours of meditation a day would be boring or overly difficult, but it really opened my mind up and was an incredibly valuable experience.I would view this experience more as a retreat for existing members of the community to come together and work on the property that is opened up for travelers and workawayers (i.e. don't come into it thinking you'll do your 4 hours of work and have the rest of the time to explore). If you have the opportunity to come join while you're in the area, I HIGHLY recommend it. Everyone was immensely kind, generous, and helpful. Thank you for having me!!!
Left by Workawayer (Lisa) for host
I am so grateful to have had the chance to come to this Buddhist center which is guided by such pure and wonderful souls 🪷.
When I arrived I was very stressed because it was my first workaway and my first big trip alone, and whether it was the hosts or the other volunteers they all reassured me and accompanied me so that I felt more at peace.
It
… read more was very interesting to live their routine and to be able to meditate and work in such a beautiful place, it's just amazing.
Nature is so alive and powerful that you come out full of good energies.
I can only recommend this place 🌞Left by host for Workawayer (Lisa)
Lisa arrived direct from France and was eager to help out immeditely despite her exhaustion. During the ten days she was with us on the (Buddhist Retreat Centre) Volunteers Retreat, she engaged fully with the programme, learned new skills quickly, worked hard and thoroughly, and got along well with team mates. She tackled heavy outdoor jobs
… read more effectively under guidance, and used her own initiative to complete indoor maintainance tasks. She has a kind, courageous and adventurous spirit. I recommend her to any Workaway host.Feedback
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Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Left by host for Workawayer (Eilidh)
Eilidh is a fun and friendly person to be with. She is also talented and a willing worker. She enjoyed painting window frames for us and did a good job. She is musical and improvised on her wooden flute for the Community each evening. I have enjoyed getting to know her very much.
Left by host for Workawayer (Elena)
Elena was delightful company and a good team worker. She has carpentry skills which she put to excellent use. She was willing and enthusiastic in her work all week and participated fully in all other aspects of the retreat.
Left by Workawayer (Elena) for host
I had an incredible time at this place!! The days were packed and the setup isn't like other workaway experiences I've had/heard about (but this was a great thing!). Each day we got up at 6:30 and had an hour meditation at 7, then breakfast followed by a work meeting laying out plans for the day. We'd work from about 10-1, break for lunch for an
… read more hour, then work from 2-4:30. We'd have a more educational 5 o'clock meditation hour, dinner, an hour of rest, then evening meditation for another hour. I was probably the least experienced there in terms of meditation and knowledge about Buddhism in general, but I read lots of books in my week with the group and had lots of long and engaging conversations throughout the day and night. Work-wise I helped build a platform outside of the meditation room, attached supports for a new railing on the upper retreat center deck, and helped lay water pipe near the stupa. I so appreciated all the knowledge and experience that was shared with me. I thought 3 hours of meditation a day would be boring or overly difficult, but it really opened my mind up and was an incredibly valuable experience.I would view this experience more as a retreat for existing members of the community to come together and work on the property that is opened up for travelers and workawayers (i.e. don't come into it thinking you'll do your 4 hours of work and have the rest of the time to explore). If you have the opportunity to come join while you're in the area, I HIGHLY recommend it. Everyone was immensely kind, generous, and helpful. Thank you for having me!!!
Left by Workawayer (Lisa) for host
I am so grateful to have had the chance to come to this Buddhist center which is guided by such pure and wonderful souls 🪷.
When I arrived I was very stressed because it was my first workaway and my first big trip alone, and whether it was the hosts or the other volunteers they all reassured me and accompanied me so that I felt more at peace.
It
… read more was very interesting to live their routine and to be able to meditate and work in such a beautiful place, it's just amazing.
Nature is so alive and powerful that you come out full of good energies.
I can only recommend this place 🌞Left by host for Workawayer (Lisa)
Lisa arrived direct from France and was eager to help out immeditely despite her exhaustion. During the ten days she was with us on the (Buddhist Retreat Centre) Volunteers Retreat, she engaged fully with the programme, learned new skills quickly, worked hard and thoroughly, and got along well with team mates. She tackled heavy outdoor jobs
… read more effectively under guidance, and used her own initiative to complete indoor maintainance tasks. She has a kind, courageous and adventurous spirit. I recommend her to any Workaway host.
Left by Workawayer (Luka) for host
The second i arrived, i felt as welcomed as if id been there before. I never felt excluded or alien because I knew nothing about buddhism. I learnt so much about buddhism but also life in general. Everyone in this community had so many stories and lessons to tell.
The work was really well balanced and overall fun and more importantly very varied.
… read more The work shifts give you time to really get to know your Workmates and learn a lot. The food was very tasty. The meditation sessions really broadened my horizon and hope that this week i spent here has a long term effect on my life.
Honestly im not shure what else to write because theres so much i would like to say about this place but i don't want this to be a whole novel.
If you have the opportunity to go there and have an open mind then please just go here. Trust me 🙏
If you are Buddhism then its a no brainer probably but even if you arent just try it.Left by host for Workawayer (Luka)
Luka spent a week with the Buddhist Community helping to clear gorse and other weeds, maintain walking tracks, and split firewood at our off-grid retreat centre. Luka's bright energy, willingness to work hard - both independently and in a team - and thoughtful behaviour and communication was appreciated by everyone. He completed all tasks with
… read more enthusiasm despite some harsh weather conditions. I recommend him wholeheartdly to any Workaway host he contacts.
Left by Workawayer (Océane) for host
This volunteering is a real opportuny to learn from incredible people and to (re)discover your inner self. I am so happy for this week together and, insipred by the Dharma, I Hope we can meet soon again 🌞
Left by host for Workawayer (Océane)
Oceane is multi-talented and very good company. She brought to the Volunteers Retreat abundant energy, enthusiasm and expertise, as well as initiative and a caring interest in other people. In addition to completing heavy outdoor tasks each day, such as clearing gorse and log-splitting, she also offered her services preparing delicious vegan
… read more evening meals with apparent ease and efficiency. She was effective in anticipating and meeting needs as they arose and was a great support to the whole team. She excels in whatever she turns her hand to (our bathrooms have never been cleaner!) and I recommend her to other Workaway hosts unreservedly.
Left by host for Workawayer (imsimpl)
im worked hard physically, both independently and as part of a team. He was kind and helpful and tried to avoid imposing in any way on others. He has many stories to tell of his life experiences and seeks to be generous with his skills.
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