Taraloka Women's Buddhist Community and Retreat Centre
Description: Started in 1985, Taraloka is a Women’s Buddhist Community and Retreat Centre of the Triratna Buddhist Community set on the Welsh-Shropshire border. It was a run-down farm that has been gradually renovated, rebuilt and adapted over the years with the help of many different women with many different skills. The importance of providing a context for women in which the practice of meditation and Buddhism could be developed and deepened was a strong motivating factor for everyone who set up this centre. Today, the aim of Taraloka is the same. Women go there and explore what meditation can bring into their life; learn something about the relevance of Buddhist teaching to contemporary life; and experience themselves in a different setting to usual.
Type of Work: Taraloka hopes to give the volunteers the opportunity to experience living as a community and practising co-operation in living and working together.
They will offer the opportunity to learn new practical skills, develop life skills and build confidence through both. They will learn two fantastic meditation practices (which do not make anyone a Buddhist) but which can positively change your life.
The work areas on the project will possibly involve maintenance, decorating and cleaning as well as learning to cook tasty and nutritious vegan meals for the group. In addition to these projects there may be some gardening and landscaping work. This is a work retreat, and we are looking for physically fit and healthy women.
Study Theme: There will be the opportunity to learn more about Buddhism including ethics, ritual, study, question and answer and personal talks. Again, by attending any of this you are not making yourself Buddhist!
Accommodation: The retreat centre is mostly level and all communal areas are on the ground floor, with some walk in showers and toilets. Rooms are shared with up to 4 people in a room. Taraloka provides all bedding and bed linen.
FOOD: Taraloka provides three well-balanced, nutritious and deliciously tasty vegan meals per day. You will have the chance to learn how to cook this wonderful vegan food while you are there. Please note the retreat centre is totally vegan, please do not bring any meat, fish, or dairy products with you.
NB: No alcohol or drugs on site please.
Requirements: We are offering this opportunity for our volunteers to experience a retreat environment as well as to give their time and energy. We suggest not using your mobile phones and other communication devices during this time. It can be really peaceful and liberating to disconnect from the digital world for a period. Friends and family will be able to contact you on our designated emergency number.
Approximate Location: Close to Whitchurch, Shrewsbury (Shropshire), Wales near the border with England.
Notes: This is a women only work camp. Please add a motivation letter to your application form explaining the reason for your interest in applying for this specific project.
IMPORTANT: From 2025 onwards all foreign national travelling to the UK need to apply online for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). You cannot enter the UK without it. Please check the following link on how to apply for it: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-an-electronic-travel-authorisation-eta
NB: We are having substantial building work in 2025 so therefore retreat conditions won’t be entirely as we would like as there will be some noise.