Lamas' Attendant

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 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 meeting with Mebar to review the week’s schedule

• Weekly team meeting with Hermitage Manager, Tamsin, 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.

Living in residence at The Hermitage as the Lamas' Attendant can be an incredibly special experience. The opportunity to experience practice and work within a Dharma community setting can provide a rich base for combining practice with everyday life. On top of this, we offer:

• • • The opportunity to develop a personal relationship with Lama Shenpen and Lama Tara

    • 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

    • Occasional use of the Hermitage car, arranged in advance 

The Lamas' Attendant  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 3-4 hours of work, but this may vary according to tasks - for example, driving to appointments or attending guests of Lama Shenpen may require more involvement on some days. Any days where more is asked of you can be balanced with quieter periods.

• • • Sundays are silent practice  days.

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

    • Attendants are encouraged to take one week away every three months. If suitable, attendants can undertake solitary retreat at times agreed around the Lamas' schedule. Time away or in retreat can be discussed 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.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 an important part of this role. 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 and 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. 

The role comprises a variety of tasks to support predominantly Lama Shenpen on a day-to-today basis. This includes:

Driving duties

• • • Driving Lama Shenpen to medical appointments

    • Driving and accompanying the Lamas and guests on trips and pilgrimages

Basic IT support (training can be given)

• • • Troubleshooting personal computer IT issues (with support from the sangha IT team if required)

    • Setting up zoom calls

    • Printing

Teaching support

• Assisting at teaching events

• Transcribing

• Organising books, reference materials, filing cabinets

• Manage interviews

Attending guests

• Attending guests of the Lamas staying at the Hermitage

• Arranging rooms and any special requirements

• Organising food and refreshments

General support

• • • Cleaning living spaces

    • Arranging flowers and gifts

    • Posting mail

    • Online shopping orders

    • Making travel arrangements

Keeping the Vigil

An important aspect of this role is to help hold the practice mandala of the sacred space by joining the daily pujas and other regular practices.

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.

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 Community Director, Mebar - mebar@ahs.org.uk - to express your interest in the role, giving us a short description of why you’re interested in serving as 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 Mebar.

• If there is a shared wish to move forwards, there will be a second zoom conversation with Mebar and Lama Tara to talk about the role in more detail.

• If there is a shared sense that the role would be a good fit for you, the Lamas 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 the Lamas and other members of the Hermitage community, shadow some of the key tasks, and see things at work.

• Following the try-out there will be a community meeting of the Lamas, Mebar and the Hermitage team 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 settling in period.