Hermitage Stewards

We ask for a minimum 1-year period of service which can be extended to two years subject to a review and agreement by both parties. 

The most important aspect of this role is to hold the practice mandala of the sacred space: 

• Join the three daily pujas and other regular practices

• Simple tech management to enable sangha members to join the shrine room online

• Coordinate omzes for daily pujas

• Tend to the shrine & stupa - making the daily offerings, refreshing flower offerings

According to individual skills and energy, stewards are also asked to support with the day-to-day running of the place:

• Cleaning of communal spaces

• Gardening

• Cooking 

• Some driving (if you have a driving licence)

• Option to support with site projects depending on your skills and energy

As on-site residents, stewards are also asked to provide light support to guests and retreatants when the Hermitage Manager isn't present.

• Welcome guests and retreatants

• Help visitors to find their way around the site - site layout, buildings & rooms, linens, kitchens, shrine room

• Provide simple tech support to group retreats in the shrine room

You’ll be given all the guidance, training and support you need to fulfil this role. Most valued is a willingness to get involved and deal with any issues that might arise.

The following support is in place to help you to get the most out of your time at the Hermitage and to enable you to flourish and serve in a meaningful way during your stewardship. 

• • • Weekly team meeting with the Hermitage Manager and other members of the stewardship & support team

    • Fortnightly individual pastoral check-in with Hermitage Manager, Tamsin

    • Monthly individual pastoral check-in with Community Director, Mebar

    • Regular sessions with Lama Dashon for spiritual guidance - monthly for the first 3 months, then once every 3 months.

Stewards will have their own room in one of the main buildings at the Hermitage. You have use of the shared kitchen and bathroom  in your living space. 

Each day will typically have 3 hours of practice, attending the three daily pujas, and 3 hours of work, the rest of the time is free. At times there will be visitors arriving in the evenings, where you would be asked to welcome them and show them to their room. Any days where more is asked of you can be balanced with quieter periods, especially when there are no retreats.

• Sundays are silent practice  days.

• Typically, Mondays are rest days but these can change depending on what’s going on at the time.

• Stewards can take one week away from The Hermitage every three months. If suitable, stewards can undertake solitary retreat during periods when the whole space is in retreat and during closed retreats. Time away or in retreat can be discussed in advance. 

Joining the Hermitage team can be an incredibly rich, spiritual experience. The opportunity to experience practice and work within a Dharma community setting can provide an intensified environment for combining practice with everyday life. On top of this, we offer:

• Free board and lodging including a 7-day settling in and closure period

• Periods of solitary retreat

• A small monthly stipend can be negotiated depending on your needs

• Encouragement to join group retreats throughout your stay - participation will depend on the type of retreat and any specific requirements.

• Occasional use of the Hermitage car, arranged in advance 

What you choose to do with your days off is totally up to you. We would encourage some time spent engaging in DHB and LAH training and joining group retreats when you can. 

It is important to remember that keeping the vigil by helping to hold the daily pujas in the shrine room is one of the most important parts of this role and you should be drawn by a wish for regular practice in this form. However, we recognise you may occasionally have other commitments or periodically be engaged in AHS training of an evening. Making alternative arrangements can be discussed in advance.

We are not able to guarantee particular weeks off - this will depend on the activity scheduled throughout the year but can be discussed in advance.

Guests are able to visit between group retreats. Guests can stay for one or two nights occasionally.  Anything over this would need to be requested from the community and the Hermitage Manager. 

We invite donations from guests to help towards the Hermitage activity and running costs. Guests would also need to be sympathetic to the code of conduct and atmosphere of the sacred space, which involves respecting the silent days. 

Before applying to become the Lamas' Attendant you will need to have been a member of the sangha for at least 12 months and be undertaking the DHB training. 

It is recommended that you have completed a minimum of two weeks’ silent meditation retreats in the Buddhist Tradition, but not necessarily at the Hermitage. You are welcome to undertake a period of personal or at the Hermitage in preparation for undertaking the stewardship role. You should also have a regular daily practice.

Applications are invited all year round. We have found that giving service is a big commitment and requires a two-way process to discover whether it’s the right time/place for you to join us. Here is an outline of the process:

• Email hermitage@ahs.org.uk to express your interest in the role, giving us a short description of why you’re interested in serving as a the Lamas' Attendant, what your retreat experience is and when you might be available.

• You will be invited to join an online zoom conversation with Hermitage Manager, Tamsin, and Community Director, Mebar.

• If there is a shared sense that the role would be a good fit for you and The Hermitage, we will invite you to visit The Hermitage to take part in a four-day residential try-out.  This is a valuable opportunity to meet with other members of the Hermitage community, including Lama Shenpen and Lama Tara, shadow some of the key tasks and see things at work.

• Following the try-out there will be a community meeting of the Lamas, Hermitage residents and local team members and we will come back to you with the outcome.

• If offered a position, there will be a 12-week  settling in period, after which, your period of service would be confirmed. Support and reviews will be held throughout the probationary period.