Odiyan Retreat Center

Mission: The mission of the Odiyan Retreat Center is twofold: 1) To assist in the protection, preservation and flourishing of all Buddhist cultures in Asia; and 2) To model as a living experiment the integration of Buddhist principles and Western thought through a live/work lifestyle dedicated to the benefit of our planet and all humanity.

The focus is on using work as an effective spiritual exercise, a practice in mindfulness and the means of perfecting six spiritual qualities, from generosity to discipline and patience, foundation of vigor, concentration, and wisdom. This basic training is called Skillful Means and is based on a book of the same name written by Odiyan founder Tarthang Tulku Rinpoche. Rinpoche introduced Skillful Means as a way to help readers find greater satisfaction in work and life.

Classes and study opportunities available for all residents in Tibetan yoga, Skilfull Means, classical Tibetan language and other aspects of spiritual community life.

Resident volunteers who stay on beyond six months also have optional opportunities for engaging in community activities such as daily early morning meditation and other practices of the Buddhist tradition.

Skillful Means points out how the discipline of work develops awareness, strengthens concentration, and stimulates energy.

From www.ic.org/directory/odiyan-retreat-center/:

Odiyan is an all-volunteer non-profit Retreat Center dedicated to meaningful work, wholesome living and the inner development of mind and spirit.

The Odiyan way of life integrates creative and challenging work with a path of self-exploration that opens up your inner potential. Odiyan’s dual mission is preserving the Buddhist cultures of Asia and modeling a living experiment integrating Buddhist principles and Western thought for the benefit of our planet and all of humanity.

Odiyan was founded in 1975 by Tibetan Buddhist Lama Tarthang Tulku. For over 40 years, volunteers from all over the world have been coming to Odiyan for six months or more to develop their own potential and contribute to the unique and holistic vision of enlightened knowledge for the benefit of all.

Odiyan Retreat Center sits on 1,000 acres overlooking the Pacific Ocean in northern California about 100 miles north of San Francisco. About 150 acres are managed landscape including seven orchards, four vegetable gardens, ornamental gardens surrounding the Temples, ponds, forests and open land.

As a resident at Odiyan, you will learn new skills, engage your mind and replenish your spirit in a wholesome, beautiful environment where accomplishment and learning about yourself go hand-in-hand.

Living and working at Odiyan includes classes about Buddhism, a wide variety of work and sacred arts, vegetarian meals and a living allowance ($150 per month).

The minimum commitment to volunteer is six months.

A service of the Data Commons Co-op. The project has been supported by Equal Exchange, the Cooperative Charitable Trust, the USDA, and many others - thank you! Tech volunteers over the years include: Benjamin Bradley with support from GAIA Host. Ben Mauer with support from Quilted. Paul Fitzpatrick. Ronin Tech Collective, Brattleboro Tech Collective, Sligo Computer Services. Jason Lemieux. Default map tiles courtesy of MapQuest. Default map data (c) OpenStreetMap contributors, CC-BY-SA.