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发表于 2013-3-11 19:20
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本帖最后由 naturef 于 2013-3-11 19:29 编辑
Host ID: 17327
Region: Germany
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Last Updated: September 6, 2012
Reviews Received: (1) click here
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We are a Buddhist Shaolin Monastery in Germany, in the town of Otterberg in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate. In total, seven monks and novices are currently residing here permanently. In addition, during most weeks of the year, we host between two and eight guests. Some of them are lay monks and/or visit the monastery regularly, whereas others often only come for one or two weeks to see how life in the monastery works or want to find out whether a simple life and hard training are the thing for them.
The monastery is situated at Weinbrunnerhof in a beautiful little valley, approx. four km from the nearest town (Otterberg), about 14 km from the nearest train station, and about the same distance from the city of Kaiserslautern.
The area of the monastery itself encompasses about three hectares and is surrounded by forest. Parts of the grounds are park-like, and there are some meadows as well, which also makes it a great opportunity to get in touch with nature.
At the monastery, there are also some “temple dogs” and “temple cats”, so you should like animals.
The accommodation is simple and modest, but comfortable. In the summer, there is generally only cold water – starting in the fall, during winter, and on cold days in spring there is warm water.
Accommodation is in shared rooms (however, depending on the number of guests, sometimes you may have a room to yourself, too) or in a comfortable cabin resp. caravan (which is, of course, heated when it is cold outside). There is a shared bathroom for the guests, with a bathtub with shower, etc.
Guests should have an open mind towards Buddhism (but do not need to be Buddhists themselves; we welcome all religions). Participating in ceremonies, training (e.g., Kung Fu, Qi Gong, and Tai Chi), meditation, etc. is not an obligation, but you are welcome to take part in everything free of charge. Our fighting monks train almost every day for six to eight hours (starting at 6 in the morning until approx. 9 or 10 a.m., then in the evenings from 6 p.m.). In addition, there are theory classes as well as ceremonies and meditation sessions several times a day. Our guests are welcome to attend these, but are not obliged to do so and can also stay away from these completely if they wish to. Of course, participating in these things counts as leisure time, not as work time – even if the training can be very exhausting ?.
Our guests can take part for free in some of the seminars taking place at the monastery; for others there is a charge – the monastery partly funds itself through these seminars – but it is also possible to work in exchange for participation if one is interested in something.
In addition to room and board we also pay a small allowance and, if desired, involve our guests in life at the monastery. You may also use the monastery’s library. At any rate, you will find an open-minded and friendly community. Our monks are Germans, Americans, Vietnamese, Thai, and Chinese.
This also means that the food may be more German or more American at times, or more Asian, and sometimes even wildly mixed up ?.
Since this is a monastery, there are, of course, some rules for our guests, too, that must be absolutely adhered to. On the entire grounds, cigarettes and tobacco products of any kind, alcohol, and drugs are absolutely prohibited. Any violation of this rule may lead to an immediate termination of your stay.
Our guests are not required to eat vegetarian food only.
The languages spoken at the monastery include German, English, French, Spanish, Romanian, and Vietnamese. Guests should have at least some basic knowledge of either German or English.
We are looking for several guests who want to stay for at least six months or longer (three months are the absolute minimum). We generally agree on a two-week probation period at first, and if both sides are happy, you can continue for the desired period of time. We expect our guests to take over certain functions that they can do pretty much on their own following a period of introduction.
As far as clothing is concerned, our guests may wear what they like (within the restrictions listed below), but they can also be given work clothing by the monastery – except where noted.
If you intend to wear your own clothing, it should be appropriate. Jeans, T-shirts, or track suits are absolutely okay. However, there should be no religious references on T-shirts and sweatshirts (neither positive nor negative) or any objectionable motives such as a marihuana leaf, etc. Also, when guests or visitors come to the monastery, you should think about whether a muscle shirt, for example, is always the correct type of clothing.
When you contact us, please let us know which of the jobs you would like to take over. And we would also appreciate getting a picture of you. We will answer every email with questions and a profile.
We are looking for:
Facility Manager / Majordomo:
The work:
- Trimming plants, bushes, trees
- Cutting the grass
- Maintaining leafy plants (both outside and inside)
- Doing paint jobs
- Making firewood
- Making minor repairs and doing maintenance work
- Fixing and maintaining fencing
- Cleaning up workshop (the monastery has its own workshop)
- Instructing the short-term guests in these areas and checking their work
- Picking up materials (your own driver’s license would be an advantage, but is not a prerequisite – if necessary, one of the monks can drive you).
- If you want to, you can plant your own herb or vegetable garden.
Working hours:
4 – 5 hours each on 5 days per week.
Protective clothing (the monastery can provide helmet, hearing protection, gloves, etc.)
Bring with you:
Work clothes (dungarees or something similar), possibly a smock or an apron for working outside, or clothes that may get dirty.
Prerequisites:
Certain skills in trades and crafts, and some experience in gardening and handling plants – ideally a tradesman or gardener (but this is not a requirement if you think you can do the job).
Housekeeper:
The work:
- Cleaning
- Vacuuming
- Dusting
- Cooking/food preparation (preparing breakfast, lunch, and dinner – you don’t always have to be present; these can also be prepared)
- Shopping (your own driver’s license would be an advantage, but it is not a prerequisite – if necessary, one of the monks can drive you).
- Cleaning the kitchen
- Managing the supply inventory
- Cleaning the pantry
- Helping with the laundry (washing, ironing, folding, etc.) when necessary – the monastery has its own laundry master
Working hours:
4 – 5 hours each on 5 days per week.
Apron, smock, etc. will be provided by the monastery.
Prerequisites:
Be able to cook and have kitchen experience – ideally a cook or a housekeeper or a kitchen aide (but this is not a requirement if you think you can do the job).
Dog Carer:
The work:
- Taking care of the temple dogs
- Taking the dogs for a walk
- Feeding the dogs
- Training with the dogs (the monastery has its own dog training area)
- Maintaining and repairing, enlarging/extending the dog training area
- Keeping the dogs busy and playing with them
Working hours:
4 – 5 hours each on 5 days per week.
Bring with you:
Jeans or some similar heavy-duty clothing that may get dirty.
Prerequisites:
Preferably be an animal lover and crazy about dogs ?.
Office Assistant:
The work:
- Filing
- Copying
- Faxing
- Sorting and filing
- Phone service
- Possibly answering emails
- Getting mail ready for sending
- Keeping office clean and cleaning
- Printing standard letters
- Binding, stapling, laminating, etc.
Working hours:
4 – 5 hours each on 5 days per week.
Prerequisites:
Good to very good knowledge of German (absolute requirement); at least an acceptable level of knowledge in English or French would not hurt (but is not a basic requirement)
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