PURE LAND ABBOT (HEAD MONK / SPIRITUAL LEADER)
Employer: Lingyen Mountain Temple (Canada)
Work Location: 10060 No. 5 Road, Richmond, British Columbia V7A 4E5, Canada
Employment Type: Full-Time, Permanent
Hours of Work: 40 hours per week
Wage: $69.00 per hour
Annual Salary: $143,520.00
ABOUT LINGYEN MOUNTAIN TEMPLE
Lingyen Mountain Temple (Canada) is a Mahayana Buddhist monastery of the Pure Land tradition dedicated to the preservation, promotion, and transmission of Buddhist teachings, Dharma education, spiritual cultivation, cultural preservation, charitable activities, and community service.
The Temple provides Buddhist religious services, Dharma classes, Buddha-recitation assemblies, cultivation retreats, youth education programs, cultural activities, and community outreach initiatives for both monastic and lay practitioners.
As a Pure Land Buddhist monastery, the Temple places particular emphasis on the teachings of Amitabha Buddha, Buddha-recitation (Nianfo), Pure Land cultivation, Dharma study, monastic discipline, and the transmission of traditional Mahayana Buddhist teachings. The Temple maintains a disciplined monastic environment where spiritual cultivation, religious education, and compassionate service form the foundation of daily life.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Abbot serves as the chief religious authority, spiritual leader, and principal Dharma teacher of Lingyen Mountain Temple.
The Abbot is responsible for preserving, promoting, and transmitting Mahayana and Pure Land Buddhist teachings; providing religious leadership and spiritual guidance; supervising monastic cultivation, discipline, and training; overseeing the Temple's religious, educational, cultural, and charitable programs; and guiding the long-term religious and spiritual development of the Temple and its community.
The successful candidate must possess extensive experience in Mahayana and Pure Land Buddhist cultivation, Buddha-recitation (Nianfo) practice, Dharma instruction, monastic leadership, and the administration of Buddhist religious institutions. The candidate must demonstrate the experience, knowledge, and ability to provide spiritual leadership; preserve and transmit Buddhist teachings, monastic traditions, and Pure Land practices; supervise, mentor, and train monks, nuns, novice monastics, and Dharma instructors; and foster the religious, educational, and spiritual development of both monastic and lay practitioners.
As the chief monastic leader of the Temple, the Abbot will be responsible for maintaining the integrity of Buddhist teachings and monastic discipline, supporting the cultivation and training of the monastic community, and ensuring the continued growth and development of the Temple's religious, educational, charitable, and community service activities.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The successful candidate will:
- Providing spiritual leadership to Buddhist practitioners through regular Dharma lectures;
- Presiding over annual large ceremonies and rituals;
- Setting annual goals and plans for LYMT;
- Providing spiritual leadership to the Sangha group and volunteer groups;
- Guiding the construction team on LYMT's expansion project;
- Guiding LYMT's education program and the Dharma propagation team; and
- Representing LYMT in relationships with other religious institutions.
EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS
- Must be an ordained Buddhist monk in good standing within a recognized Mahayana Buddhist monastic lineage;
- Minimum 20 years of full-time monastic experience serving in a Buddhist monastery, temple, or religious institution;
- Minimum 15 years of dedicated study, practice, and cultivation within the Pure Land Buddhist tradition, including substantial experience in Buddha-recitation (Nianfo), Dharma instruction, religious retreats, and spiritual cultivation;
- Minimum 10 years of experience in senior religious leadership, Dharma instruction, monastic supervision, spiritual guidance, or administration of Buddhist religious institutions;
- Previous experience serving as an Abbot, Vice-Abbot, Senior Dharma Instructor, Monastic Training Director, Director of Buddhist Education, or equivalent senior religious leadership position is strongly preferred;
- Extensive knowledge of Mahayana Buddhist teachings, Pure Land doctrine, the Pure Land Sutras, Buddhist scriptures, Buddhist philosophy, monastic discipline (Vinaya), religious education, and Buddhist ceremonial practices;
- Demonstrated experience leading Buddha-recitation retreats, Dharma assemblies, religious ceremonies, memorial services, ordinations, cultivation programs, and major Buddhist festivals;
- Thorough understanding of the teachings of Amitabha Buddha, Pure Land philosophy, Buddha-recitation practice, and traditional methods of Pure Land cultivation;
- Demonstrated experience supervising monks, nuns, novice monastics, Dharma instructors, volunteers, and religious workers;
- Demonstrated ability to provide advanced spiritual counseling, pastoral care, mentorship, and religious guidance to practitioners and community members;
- Strong leadership, organizational, communication, teaching, interpersonal, and public speaking skills;
- Ability to work effectively with monastic and lay communities in a multicultural environment;
- Ability to communicate effectively in English;
- Mandarin Chinese proficiency is considered a strong asset due to the Temple's religious services, Dharma education programs, community outreach activities, and interaction with Mandarin-speaking practitioners, visiting monastics, and affiliated Buddhist organizations.
EDUCATION
- Advanced Buddhist monastic education and religious training obtained through a recognized Buddhist monastery, Buddhist seminary, or monastic institution;
- Additional education in Buddhist Studies, Religious Studies, Philosophy, Theology, Education, or a related discipline is considered an asset.
LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS
English
WORK SETTING
- Mahayana Pure Land Buddhist monastery and temple environment;
- Religious services, Dharma education programs, cultivation retreats, ceremonies, and community outreach activities;
- Interaction with monastic and lay practitioners, volunteers, visitors, and community stakeholders.
HOW TO APPLY
Interested candidates are invited to submit the following:
- Cover Letter outlining their monastic background, Pure Land Buddhist training, religious leadership experience, 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 lineage;
- Documentation demonstrating completion of monastic training, Buddhist education, Dharma studies, cultivation 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 cultivation, Dharma teaching, monastic leadership, spiritual counseling, monastic administration, and community service;
- Reference letters from senior monastic leaders, abbots, monasteries, temples, or recognized Buddhist organizations confirming the applicant's religious qualifications, monastic experience, leadership experience, and good standing;
- Any additional documentation supporting the applicant's experience in conducting Dharma assemblies, Buddha-recitation retreats, ordinations, religious ceremonies, youth programs, charitable activities, hospice care, or community outreach 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 Mahayana and Pure Land Buddhist teachings and welcomes applications from qualified candidates who meet the requirements of this position.
Pay: $69.00 per hour
Work Location: In person
