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Brilliant 4.72rating (254)
  • Sustainable Cities And Communities

Monastery Teaching to Buddhist Monks

location
4 - 12 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+
Verified

Highlights

  • Learn about Buddhist culture in a monastery
  • Teach English and other subjects like math and science
  • Immerse yourself in the lifestyle for an authentic and cultural experience

Highlights

  • Learn about Buddhist culture in a monastery
  • Teach English and other subjects like math and science
  • Immerse yourself in the lifestyle for an authentic and cultural experience
  • Help improve their speaking abilites and increase their confidence.
  • Stay in a stunning setting!
    • You don't have to pay anything yet

    Especially good for

    Age 18+
    Singles
    Couples
    50+

    About the program

    Learn about Buddhist culture in a monastery while teaching English to novice monks. Teach English and help improve the language skills of the monks.

    Volunteer in the enchanting city of Darjeeling, nestled in the Himalayas, where Buddhist monasteries thrive. Darjeeling is renowned for its mist-covered mountains, sprawling tea plantations, and captivating monastic sites. During the program, you will stay within the monastery, and will have the ...

    About the program

    Volunteer in the enchanting city of Darjeeling, nestled in the Himalayas, where Buddhist monasteries thrive. Darjeeling is renowned for its mist-covered mountains, sprawling tea plantations, and captivating monastic sites. During the program, you will stay within the monastery, and will have the opportunity to impart English language skills to the monks within a classroom setting.

    PLEASE NOTE: Culture Week is highly recommended for all participants joining the Teaching at Buddhist Monasteries program. This helps to minimize culture shock and adapt to life at the monastery.

    By spending time at the monastery, you will learn more the teachings of Buddhism, embracing various aspects of the Buddhist monk's way of life. Your lessons will be focused towards novice monks covering different age groups.

    The project encompasses multiple monasteries, accommodating monks aged between 8 and 25 years old. These monasteries offer classes ranging from Nursery to Grade 5, with approximately 10 to 15 students in each class. While your primary subject will be English, you will also have the freedom to teach other subjects, such as Mathematics, Science, or any subject of your preference. 

    Aims

    • To help teach monks English
    • Immerse yourself into the lifestyle in a monastery and learn about Buddhism
    • Teach other subjects such as math and science
    Location
    Darjeeling is a hill station in the state of West Bengal in India. Set amongst steep and snowy mountains, the city of Darjeeling has been popular with locals as well as international travellers as a great holiday destination. Darjeeling also has much more to offer. The climate is cold here throughout the year. Tea plantations and picturesque monasteries add a unique value to the atmosphere in Darjeeling.

    Typical day

    Schedule Monday to Friday

    • You will teach primarily English and various other subjects to the monks, both young and old, for around 2 to 3 hours of various age groups every day.

    This schedule can be changed and/or amended depending on weather conditions, local conditions and ...

    Typical day

    Schedule Monday to Friday

    • You will teach primarily English and various other subjects to the monks, both young and old, for around 2 to 3 hours of various age groups every day.

    This schedule can be changed and/or amended depending on weather conditions, local conditions and unforeseen circumstances.

    *Schedule possible to change due to the project and community needs at the time. Volunteer flexibility and adaptability is important to a positive volunteering experience. 

    Free-time activities

    Here are some things you can do when visiting Darjeeling, India:

    Tiger Hill: Visit early in the morning to catch the breathtaking sunrise over the Himalayas. On clear days, you can see the majestic peaks of Mount Everest and Kanchenjunga.

    Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (Toy Train): Take a ride on this ...

    Free-time activities

    Here are some things you can do when visiting Darjeeling, India:

    Tiger Hill: Visit early in the morning to catch the breathtaking sunrise over the Himalayas. On clear days, you can see the majestic peaks of Mount Everest and Kanchenjunga.

    Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (Toy Train): Take a ride on this UNESCO World Heritage-listed narrow-gauge railway, offering scenic views of the tea gardens, valleys, and mountains.

    Tea Garden Tours: Explore the lush tea plantations for which Darjeeling is famous. Many estates offer guided tours where you can learn about the tea-making process and sample different varieties.

    Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park: Home to endangered species like the snow leopard, red panda, and Himalayan wolf, this zoo is dedicated to the preservation of Himalayan fauna.

    Japanese Peace Pagoda: Marvel at this serene Buddhist stupa built by Japanese monks, offering panoramic views of Darjeeling town and the surrounding mountains.

    Hiking and Trekking: Darjeeling offers numerous trails for hiking and trekking enthusiasts, ranging from easy walks to challenging treks, such as the Sandakphu trek.

    Batasia Loop and War Memorial: Visit this engineering marvel of a railway loop and pay homage to the Gorkha soldiers who sacrificed their lives in various wars.

    Observatory Hill and Mahakal Temple: Enjoy panoramic views of Darjeeling and visit the Mahakal Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, which is highly revered by locals and tourists alike.

    Himalayan Mountaineering Institute: Learn about the history of mountaineering in the region and pay tribute to Tenzing Norgay, the first man to summit Mount Everest along with Sir Edmund Hillary.

    Chowrasta Mall: Stroll along this bustling promenade, lined with shops selling souvenirs, handicrafts, and local delicacies. Enjoy a cup of Darjeeling tea at one of the many cafes while soaking in the lively atmosphere.

    Requirements

    Requirements

    Minimum Age: 18 years

    In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.

    Language Skills

    You need to speak English (basic level)

    Education Requirements

    at High School level

    Criminal Background Check

    required

    Required Documents

    Police check or working with children check

    Nationality Restrictions

    No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

    Time Commitment

    Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday

    What's Included

    What's Included

    On-site Services

    Program fees include:
    • Accommodation
    • 3 meals p/day 
    • Arrival airport transfer (Sat/Sun arrivals)
    • Filtered drinking water, coffee & tea
    • 1 day orientation
    • Daily transportation to project
    • In country 24/7 support & emergency assistance
    • Fundraising support
    • University course credits (where applicable)
    • Certificate of Completion

    Airport Pickup at Bagdogra Airport

    Programs begin every Monday, and volunteers are required to arrive the day prior, for orientation before the project. Your accommodation on the Sunday is included in the program fees.

    A free airport pickup is included when arriving to Siliguri Bagdogra Airport, Bagdogra (IXB). You must arrive between the hours 08:00 to 14:00 on Sunday.

    If arriving outside the pickup times, we charge an additional fee for any extra night’s accommodation before your program, and an extra fee for a private transfer.

    Alternatively, if arriving early you could wait at the arrival’s terminal for the pickup time, book accommodation at the airport and meet us during the pickup times or make your own way to the project (we will advise on how to do this).

    From Bagdogra airport to the accommodation it’s around 4+ hours by road.    

    Accommodation

    Participants will stay at the monastery itself and get to experience monastic life as a part of the monastic family.  Sharded or private rooms are available. We have several monasteries we work with and many of them are located to nearby shops and towns, etc. 

    *Accommodation may be in our local centre or in close proximity, depending on availability and time of year.


    Private Room Upgrade: please contact us directly for options and pricing

    *Please note: Upgrade prices can change, so please check the price with us first


    Food & Beverages

    You will be provided with 3 meals per day. Food will be a mix of Western and Indian food, consisting mainly of vegetarian dishes including rice and vegetables. 
    You don't have to pay anything yet

    What's NOT included?

    What's NOT included?

    Internet Access

    Sorry, no access at the project site

    Flight Tickets

    The nearest airport is Bagdogra Airport (IXB) in Bagdogra. We assist you to find cheap flights to India. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

    Travel Insurance

    Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for India provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

    Vaccines

    If you are intending to volunteer in India you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for India. VACCINE CHECKER

    Details on arrival

    Program starts every Monday. Arrivals on Sat/ Sun. If arriving on Sat, an extra night is charged.

    Availability
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

    Program Fees

    $418 per week 4 - 12 weeks Age 18 - 50+

    Payment methods

    Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

    NO CREDIT CARD FEES

    Duration

    4 - 12 weeks

    Deposit

    Reserve your spot with just a few clicks and a small, secure deposit. You can pay by credit card, PayPal, or other convenient methods.

    Final Payment

    You’ll agree on the final payment method with your local organization during the application process. This final payment is only due closer to the start of your trip.

    You don't have to pay anything yet
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    Location

    Asia > Southern Asia > India > Darjeeling

    Meet your project coordinator

    Lauren
    254
    reviews
    4.72
    Brilliant
    1989
    Founded

    Verified

      Very high response rate
    Spoken languages: English
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    Volunteer Abroad  >  Education  >  English Teaching in India
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    Travel dates

    1. - 1. Jan 1

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