這個假日
An opportunity for international volunteers to experience authentic Chinese Buddhist life through service at Fo Guang Shan Monastery in Kaohsiung, southern Taiwan.
Through this experience, you may develop a deeper sense of well-being and gain a new perspective on life through Buddhist practice.
About the Program
Structured Daily Rhythm
We are a large, active monastery dedicated to serving the public through culture, education, and community engagement. Daily life here follows a clear rhythm shaped by community practice and shared responsibility.
We practice Humanistic Buddhism, bringing Buddhist teachings into everyday life. International volunteers experience this through service alongside monastics and local volunteers, shared living, and a structured daily schedule. Flexibility and a willingness to respond to the community’s needs are essential.
Who We Welcome
We welcome individuals aged 18–60 who sincerely wish to understand Buddhist community life from within.
You don’t need to be a Buddhist. However, you should be:
-
open to cultural differences
-
willing to follow monastery etiquette
-
ready to participate responsibly in a structured environment
-
ready to live fully in a shared community setting
Through both service and daily cultivation, you will gain insight into how Humanistic Buddhism is practiced in contemporary society.
Is this program for you?
You will thrive here if you:
-
Are genuinely curious about Buddhist life and willing to participate respectfully.
-
Resonate with the idea that "service is practice" and are ready to be active.
-
Can adapt to a structured daily schedule and communal living.
-
Respect cultural norms, dress codes, and a strict vegetarian diet.
-
Approach your stay with gratitude and humility.
This program may not align with your expectations if you:
-
Are looking primarily for a formal Buddhist study course, meditation retreat, or personal healing stay.
-
Prefer a highly flexible or independent schedule.
-
Wish to prioritize sightseeing, personal travel, or independent plans during the volunteer period.
-
Have heavy external commitments that may prevent you from participating fully in community life.
-
Prefer duties based mainly on your personal interests, talents, or professional background.
-
Need special light-duty arrangements.
-
Are not comfortable with shared accommodation, group activities, and assigned schedules.
-
Are uncomfortable following monastery guidelines, such as modest dress code, gender-separated accommodation, vegetarian diet, no alcohol, and no smoking.
Experience & Learning
Immersion in "Living Buddhism"
Daily Experience
-
Daily life follows a structured schedule with key activities—including volunteer duties, meetings, and cultivation practices—from early morning to late evening. This rhythm helps you regulate your body and mind.
Dharma Learning
-
Reading materials are available for those interested in Humanistic Buddhism.
-
Study groups or a Buddha Museum tour may also be offered to provide a deeper understanding of basic Buddhist teachings (subject to availability).
Cultural Interaction & Language
-
You will have the opportunity to practice Mandarin and interact with monastics, local volunteers, and international participants.
Workshops
-
Cultural workshops such as calligraphy and Tai Chi may be arranged to enrich your experience, depending on the monastery schedule.
Personal Growth
-
Service and shared living offer opportunities to develop mindfulness, learn from others, and explore how Humanistic Buddhism is practiced in daily life.
Note
-
This is not a formal Buddhist learning course. Dharma learning activities, study groups, tours, or cultural workshops may be offered depending on the monastery schedule and availability, but they are not guaranteed. The main learning experience comes through service, daily routine, shared living, and observing monastery life.
Volunteer Tasks & Help
“Service is Practice”
-
This is a structured, team-based environment and can be very busy during peak seasons. You will work alongside monastics, students, and local volunteers to support daily operations.
Tasks
-
Volunteer duties are mainly practical service tasks that support the daily operations of the monastery. Most regular duties are related to dining hall support, especially meal serving, dishwashing, and cleaning the dining hall or shared spaces.
-
Please note that dining hall support does not include cooking or food preparation.
-
Other tasks may include simple housekeeping, gardening or outdoor cleaning, supporting monastery departments, and helping with event preparation or clean-up when needed.
-
Tasks are assigned according to the needs of the monastery and may change from day to day. They are not arranged mainly according to personal preference, professional background, or preferred skills. Volunteers should be open to simple, repetitive, and practical tasks.
Physical & Mental Stamina
-
Tasks often involve walking, standing, or carrying items, so volunteers should be in generally good physical and mental health.
-
If you have allergies, take regular medication, or have ongoing health considerations (including emotional or mental health), please check with us before applying so we can assess suitability.
-
If regular volunteer duties are not suitable due to health conditions, we may not be able to provide special light-duty arrangements or guarantee alternative tasks.
Communication & Culture
-
We coordinate duties and schedule updates through WhatsApp and face-to-face communication. Volunteers are expected to check group messages regularly, acknowledge instructions promptly, and ask when anything is unclear.
-
Daily routines may differ from what you are used to, and cultural differences may feel challenging at times. Therefore, flexibility, openness, and adaptability are highly valued.
Life at the Monastery
Daily life is simple, communal, and structured.
Accommodation
-
Dormitory-style: Shared rooms (4–6 people) within the monastery grounds. Men and women live in separate areas.
Diet
-
Three vegetarian meals are provided daily, following the communal monastery schedule.
Visa
-
Volunteers are responsible for their own visa arrangements.
Fee
-
There is no program fee, accommodation fee, or meal fee for International Volunteers.
Volunteers are responsible for their own transportation, visa, travel/medical insurance, and personal expenses.
Length of Stay & Arrival
-
Regular international volunteer placements are fixed at two weeks. We cannot accommodate shorter stays or planned early departures.
-
You must arrive by 1:30 PM on your confirmed check-in date (the first or third Monday of the month). Orientation takes place that afternoon. Late arrivals cannot be accommodated and may result in cancellation of the placement.
-
Checkout is by 8:30 AM on your confirmed departure date.
Chinese New Year 2027 Volunteer Placement:
-
25 January–15 February 2027.
-
Volunteers help prepare the monastery before Chinese New Year and serve during the celebrations.
-
This intake requires a full three-week commitment, with no planned early departures or extensions.
Daily Rhythm & Expectations
-
Monastery life follows a structured daily schedule. Many key activities—including volunteer duties, meetings, and cultivation practices—take place from early morning to late evening.
-
Volunteer duties generally do not exceed 5 hours per day and 5 days per week. However, the program is not designed around volunteer work alone. Most days may also include orientation, meetings, group activities, monastery experiences, and community life. Volunteers should expect most days to be quite full.
-
For this reason, we generally look for volunteers who can adapt to a structured daily schedule from early morning to evening and are willing to settle down in the monastery setting.
Location:
-
We are located in Kaohsiung, southern Taiwan.
-
The monastery is about 1 hour from Kaohsiung city center and around 2 hours from Kaohsiung International Airport by public transport.
-
If you are arriving via Taipei, it takes approximately 2–2.5 hours by High Speed Rail (HSR) from Taipei to Kaohsiung.
Connectivity
-
Wi-Fi is available in common areas for essential use.
Community Guidelines
These guidelines help maintain a respectful and harmonious shared environment.
Dress Code & Modesty
-
Please wear modest clothing that covers your shoulders, along with long pants and closed-toe shoes. Tank tops, shorts, slippers, sandals and revealing clothing are not permitted on the monastery grounds.
Prohibitions
-
Volunteers are expected to observe the Five Precepts throughout their stay—refraining from killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, false speech, and intoxicants.
-
Smoking, alcohol, and recreational drugs are prohibited on monastery grounds.
Communication
-
English is the main language used for orientation, instructions, and group communication.
-
Volunteers need sufficient English to understand instructions and communicate questions or concerns.
-
Mandarin is an advantage when interacting with the local community, though it is not a requirement.
Commitment to Engagement
-
This is an immersive, community-based program, not a private retreat. Volunteers are expected to participate in a structured daily schedule from early morning to evening. If you have outside work or study commitments, please discuss them with us before applying.
-
If you wish to travel around Taiwan, we recommend arranging additional travel time before or after your volunteer period.
Photography and Filming
-
Fo Guang Shan may photograph or film volunteers during service duties and program activities.
-
These photos and videos may be used to document and promote the program, including on our website and social media.
-
Consent is a condition of participation. Please apply only if you agree to these arrangements.
JOIN US
Requirements
Mindfulness begins with reading. Ensure you meet the eligibility criteria and understand the commitment needed for participating in the volunteer program.
Contact Us
If you are interested in applying, please email us at fgsworkaway@gmail.com with the following information:
-
Personal details:
1a. age
1b. biological sex
1c. languages spoken
1d. nationality
-
Current occupation or field of study
-
Talents and skills
-
Placement dates: Which full placement can you attend? Please provide your proposed check-in and checkout dates.
-
Previous volunteer experience, if any
-
Allergies, dietary restrictions, or medical conditions: (if any)
-
Any additional information you feel may be helpful for us to know
* Please note that we cannot accommodate walk-in inquiries. All applications must be submitted through email only.
Review Process
Submitting this information helps us understand your background and how you might settle into monastery life. While we carefully review every application, please note that placement is not guaranteed. We have a limited number of spots and aim to ensure a good fit for both the volunteer and the community. We truly appreciate your understanding and look forward to learning more about you!
Continue Your Journey
If you are interested in a deeper and more structured exploration of Buddhist teachings, you may wish to explore programs organised by Fo Guang Shan Tsung Lin University.
FGS Youth Temple Life Experience Camp
-
This residential camp introduces young adults to daily life in a Buddhist monastery. Depending on the session, the camp lasts 3 days and 2 nights or 2 days and 1 night.
-
Eligibility: Open to single, unmarried adults aged 18–35.
-
Language: English interpretation is available for participants who do not speak Chinese.
-
Dates:
25–27 December 2026 (Fri–Sun)
03–05 April 2027 (Sat–Mon)
12–13 June 2027 (Sat–Sun)
Carefree Mind— International Buddhist Youth Summer Camp
-
Explore Buddhist teachings and discover your inner strengths at this 5-day, 4-night residential camp. Highlights include studying a Buddhist sutra, taking part in arts and cultural activities, and enjoying a vegetarian food and music event.
-
Eligibility: Open to single adults aged 18–30.
-
Language: English interpretation is available for participants who do not speak Chinese.
-
Camp dates: 30 June–4 July 2027 (Wed–Sun).
Stay Connected
Stay connected with us and follow our journey beyond the program.
