Volunteer with BSI

Serve the Dharma – Build Skill – Be Part of a Global Community

Volunteering with the Buddhist Studies Institute is an opportunity to serve authentic Tibetan Buddhist education while contributing your skills in a way that is structured, ethical, and genuinely supportive. BSI is an international educational organization founded by Pema Khandro, offering in-depth study and practice of Buddhism at the intersection of classical tradition, contemporary life, and rigorous inquiry. Our volunteers play an essential role in sustaining accessible, high-quality programs in meditation, philosophy, practice, and community care.

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Our Mission & the Spirit of Service

BSI is an international association of Buddhist Yogis dedicated to the study and practice of Tibetan Buddhism from the scholar-practitioner perspective. We engage classical source texts, meditation, and the full range of Tibetan Buddhist practices—from the preliminaries through Dzogchen—while remaining in dialogue with psychology, medicine, science, technology, and the realities of modern life.

The tone of our community is one of serious study held within a non-sectarian spirit, characterized by warmth, kindness, and genuine inquiry. We value questions, diversity, and ethical responsibility, and we believe spiritual awakening goes hand in hand with compassionate engagement in the world, including commitments to social justice and ecological sustainability.

Volunteering at BSI is a way to support this mission through practical service that helps teachings reach people around the world.

How Volunteering Works with BSI

Volunteers at BSI participate within a formal and supportive structure designed to ensure clarity, accountability, and sustainability, for both the volunteer and the organization.

Each volunteer:

  • Is assigned to a specific Leadership Team Liaison
  • Receives role-specific onboarding and training
  • Works within a clearly defined scope of responsibilities
  • Agrees to a time commitment and duration of service
  • Operates under guidance, supervision, and established policies

Volunteers are supported, trained, and deeply appreciated, and are also held to professional, ethical, and relational standards

Areas of Volunteer Service

Volunteer roles are organized into general areas of contribution. Specific roles are matched after application and review.

  • Program Support
    Zoom hosting, retreat logistics, student support, session coordination
  • Communications & Media
    Email newsletters, basic graphic support, content & website assistance
  • Administrative & Systems Support
    Documentation, data entry, organization, internal systems support
  • Practice & Community Support
    Facilitating community spaces, welcoming participants, coordination and care
  • Development & Fundraising Support
    Campaign assistance, donor follow-up, administrative fundraising tasks

Not all applicants are placed immediately, and not all skills are needed at all times. Placement depends on current organizational needs and supervisory capacity.

Volunteer Commitments & Expectations

To ensure a healthy and sustainable volunteer environment, BSI asks that volunteers:

  • Commit to a minimum service period (typically 3–6 months)
  • Communicate reliably and respectfully
  • Honor confidentiality, lineage integrity, and ethical conduct
  • Participate in onboarding and required training
  • Follow established systems, documentation, and supervisory guidance

Volunteers serve under a formal volunteer agreement and are not employees or contractors.

What Volunteers Receive

Volunteers at BSI receive meaningful opportunities for service that support a vibrant, engaged community and the ongoing accessibility of in-depth Buddhist education.

Each role is held within a clear and supportive structure and includes appropriate onboarding, training, and mentorship so that volunteers understand both the practical and relational dimensions of their contribution. Clear boundaries, defined responsibilities, and shared expectations allow volunteers to serve with confidence, integrity, and respect for the wider sangha.

For those who serve over a longer term and demonstrate reliability, care, and consistency in their role, BSI is also able to offer references in recognition of their commitment and the quality of their service.

Application & Next Steps

  • Submit the Volunteer Application Form
  • Applications are reviewed by Volunteer HR
  • Suitable applicants are matched with a Leadership Team Lead
  • Accepted volunteers complete onboarding and documentation
  • Service begins with training and supervision
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Volunteer FAQ

Volunteering with BSI means offering your time and skills in service of authentic Tibetan Buddhist education within a structured, supervised environment. Volunteers support programs, community care, communications, and administrative systems that allow teachings to remain accessible and ethically held.

No. BSI volunteer roles are structured and responsibility-based. Each volunteer agrees to a defined role, time commitment, and duration of service, and works under the guidance of a leadership team member.

Most volunteer roles require a modest, consistent time commitment, often a few hours per week, for a minimum period of approximately 3–6 months. Specific expectations are discussed before placement.

No. Volunteer roles at BSI are unpaid and are not employment or contractor positions. In some cases, reasonable pre-approved expenses may be reimbursed so volunteers are not out of pocket.

No formal Buddhist training is required for many roles. What matters most is reliability, clear communication, respect for lineage and community values, and willingness to be trained for the role you are assigned.

Each volunteer is assigned to a specific Leadership Team Lead who provides guidance, training, and oversight. Volunteers do not work independently or without supervision.

Training is role-specific and may include orientation, systems training, documentation, and guidance relevant to your responsibilities. The goal is to ensure clarity, confidence, and alignment.

You may indicate your interests and skills in the application, but placement depends on current organizational needs and supervisory capacity. Not all applicants are placed immediately.

Yes. To support continuity and reduce burnout, BSI asks volunteers to commit to a minimum service period, typically 3–6 months, depending on the role.

Availability can change. Volunteers are asked to communicate changes as early as possible with their supervisor so adjustments or transitions can be handled respectfully and smoothly.

Yes. Accepted volunteers complete a formal volunteer agreement outlining role scope, expectations, confidentiality, and mutual responsibilities. This helps protect both the volunteer and the organization.

Long-term volunteers who demonstrate reliability, skill, and alignment may be considered for future leadership opportunities when they arise.

BSI may provide references for volunteers who serve over a longer term and demonstrate consistent responsibility, professionalism, and care.

Click the “Apply to Volunteer” button and complete the application form. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and selected applicants will be contacted for next steps.

Buddhist Studies Institute is a registered nonprofit organization (EIN: 68-0529687). Volunteer roles are unpaid and governed by formal volunteer agreements to ensure mutual clarity, safety, and respect.