Pure Land Buddhist Monk/Nun
Employer: Lingyen Mountain Temple (Canada)
Location: 10060 No. 5 Road, Richmond, British Columbia V7A 4E5
Position Type: Full-Time, Permanent
Hours of Work: 40 hours per week
Wage: $66.00 per hour
Annual Salary: $137,280.00
About the Temple
Lingyen Mountain Temple (Canada) is a Mahayana Buddhist monastery of the Pure Land tradition dedicated to the promotion of Buddhist teachings, Dharma education, spiritual cultivation, cultural preservation, and community service. The Temple provides religious services, Dharma classes, youth education programs, cultural activities, and community outreach initiatives for Buddhist practitioners and the broader community.
As a Pure Land Buddhist monastery, the Temple places particular emphasis on the practice of Buddha-recitation (Nianfo), meditation, Dharma study, and monastic discipline in accordance with traditional Pure Land teachings. Monks and nuns residing at the Temple are expected to follow a disciplined monastic lifestyle and daily schedule centered on spiritual cultivation and religious practice.
A typical daily routine begins at approximately 3:00 a.m. with morning chanting, Buddha-recitation, meditation, scripture recitation, and Dharma practice. These religious activities continue throughout the day until approximately 9:30 p.m. In addition to participating in religious services and educational activities, monastics engage in communal cultivation, scripture study, ceremonial observances, temple administration, and community outreach.
All monks and nuns are required to observe the Temple's religious rules, monastic code of conduct, Pure Land traditions, and spiritual cultivation practices as part of their religious vocation and commitment to the Buddhist faith.
Duties and Responsibilities
The successful candidate will:
- Leading and participating in various Buddhist services, ceremonies and rites;
- Actively participating in the Temple's planning of annual Dharma services and events;
- Providing counseling and spiritual and moral guidance;
- Assisting and facilitating the laity’s participation in Dharma services;
- Leading and participating in various humanitarian, charitable, and community outreach activities, including leading volunteer team and providing end-of-life spiritual care, hospice support, chanting services, and compassionate guidance to individuals and families during illness, dying, bereavement, and funeral-related observances in accordance with Buddhist teachings;
- Answering telephone calls and greeting visitors to the Temple;
- Assisting with the management and guidance of volunteers, maintaining the volunteer information database, and training and assisting new volunteers;
- Guiding the Female Buddhist Youth Program on a weekly basis every Sunday; and
- Ensuring all educational activities are conducted in accordance with Buddhist doctrine, monastic discipline, and Temple policies.
Employment Requirements
- Must be an ordained Buddhist monk or nun in good standing within a recognized Buddhist monastic order;
- Minimum 10 years of full-time monastic experience serving in a Buddhist monastery, temple, or religious institution;
- Minimum 10 years of dedicated practice, study, and cultivation within the Pure Land Buddhist tradition, including extensive experience in Buddha-recitation (Nianfo), Pure Land Dharma practice, and spiritual cultivation in accordance with Pure Land teachings;
- Demonstrated commitment to maintaining a disciplined monastic lifestyle, including participation in daily chanting, meditation, scripture recitation, Buddha-recitation retreats, and observance of monastic precepts and regulations;
- Minimum 10 years of experience teaching Buddhist doctrine, Dharma education, Pure Land philosophy, spiritual cultivation, or religious studies programs;
- Extensive knowledge of Mahayana Buddhist teachings, Pure Land Buddhist doctrine, Buddhist scriptures, monastic discipline (Vinaya), Buddhist philosophy, and religious education;
- Demonstrated experience leading Pure Land cultivation programs, Buddha-recitation retreats, Dharma assemblies, chanting services, meditation sessions, and religious ceremonies;
- Thorough understanding of the Pure Land lineage, including the teachings of Amitabha Buddha, the Pure Land Sutras, the practice of mindfulness of the Buddha (Nianfo), and traditional methods of Pure Land cultivation;
- Demonstrated experience developing and administering Dharma classes, youth programs, religious retreats, cultivation programs, and cultural education initiatives;
- Experience providing spiritual guidance, religious instruction, pastoral care, and mentorship to monastics, practitioners, volunteers, and community members;
- Experience conducting funeral services, memorial ceremonies, end-of-life spiritual care, hospice support, and bereavement guidance in accordance with Buddhist teachings and Pure Land traditions;
- Experience supervising volunteers, instructors, monastic personnel, and participants in religious and educational programs;
- Ability to lead and participate in intensive religious schedules involving early morning and evening chanting, Buddha-recitation, meditation, Dharma study, and community outreach activities;
- Excellent leadership, organizational, communication, teaching, and public speaking skills;
- Chinese (Mandarin) language proficiency is an asset.
Language Requirements
English
How to Apply
Interested candidates are invited to submit the following:
- Cover Letter outlining their monastic background, Pure Land Buddhist training, Dharma teaching experience, and suitability for the position;
- Resume or Curriculum Vitae;
- Evidence of Buddhist Ordination, Monastic Status, and Religious Standing within a recognized Buddhist monastic order;
- Documentation demonstrating completion of monastic training, Buddhist education, Dharma studies, retreat training, and religious qualifications;
- Educational Credentials, Academic Transcripts, and Professional or Religious Certificates (if applicable);
- Supporting documentation demonstrating experience in Pure Land Buddhist practice, Buddha-recitation (Nianfo) cultivation, Dharma teaching, religious leadership, monastic administration, spiritual counseling, and community service;
- Reference letters from senior monastic leaders, abbots, abbesses, temples, monasteries, or recognized Buddhist organizations confirming the applicant's religious qualifications, monastic experience, and good standing (preferred);
- Any additional documentation supporting the applicant's experience in conducting Dharma assemblies, Buddha-recitation retreats, religious ceremonies, youth programs, hospice care, charitable activities, or other religious and educational programs.
Please submit your application by email to:
[email protected]
Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
Lingyen Mountain Temple is committed to preserving and promoting Buddhist teachings and welcomes applications from qualified candidates who meet the requirements of this position.
Pay: $66.00 per hour
Work Location: In person
