Volunteering
People who give their time, hearts, and hands are the core of Gomde. Every part of our center—its daily rhythm, gardens, nourishing meals, and retreats—is sustained by the generous hands and open hearts of those who help. Gomde is run entirely by volunteers, from the core group who dedicate themselves full-time to those who join for a few hours to care for a specific task. Gomde is a creative place, where a lot of projects are happening. Check out when the next project starts. There are many ways to help out, read along to find a way for you.
Serving the Buddhas of the Future
Erik Pema Kunsang often reminds us that by volunteering, we are serving the Buddhas of the future. Each act of giving—whether planting a flower, preparing a meal, or organizing a retreat—creates the conditions for others to connect with teachings that awaken innate freedom and compassion. When you give your time to a dharma center, you’re doing more than completing a task. You’re offering a gift to the lineage, the teachings, and countless beings who will benefit long into the future.
A Dharma Family
Volunteering at Gomde isn’t just about helping—it’s about community and inner transformation. Working and practicing together each day, we discover the richness of sangha, a community of individuals on their own paths yet sharing similar practices and inspiration. Through our time together, we begin to see and appreciate each other’s qualities, and in this shared light, we uncover deeper qualities within ourselves.
When we work at a dharma center, we aren’t just organizing or tidying. We are building the foundations of a spiritual family that ultimately includes all beings—human and animal alike—supporting the potential for transformation and awakening in ourselves and others.
Volunteer Areas
Daily Work
When working as a volunteer in the everyday, you become part of the Gomde rhythm. A life with practice, retreats, projects and daily jobs. Volunteers who stay for a shorter or longer period, get board and lodging.
Practical Help at Seminars
We are always happy for help during retreats and seminars. Some people help out substantially around a seminar and get a discount or free seminar. Volunteering at seminars is for you who like a high level of engagement.
Administration & PR
Some jobs can easily be handled from home. Right now the Gomde Team at home is taking care of administration, economy, PR and program organizing. All of these tasks are parts of the organism that keeps a dharma center alive, and open for skillfull hands.
Translation, Editing & Transcription
Be a part of a living vibrating tradition, a way to preserve the precious dharma. The teachings are kept alive through the spoken and written word. Get the chance to work with a legend like Erik Pema Kunsang. The goal is to have an ongoing Gomde Library with past and present teachings.
Spread the word
Tell your friends, family, and colleagues about Gomde and the programs. Dharma is for everyone – and can give all people a relief from the burden of dualistic mind while bringing meaning and a fresh perspective on our life with other people.
Do you want to be a part of
the Gomde team?
If you feel drawn to offer your time and energy, there are many ways to begin. We suggest starting by attending a retreat to connect with the teachings and the Gomde community. Volunteering at Gomde is a gradual and flexible process, and a combination of what is needed at Gomde and your capacities and wishes.
Some come for a few hours to work on practical tasks. Others offer their skills from home, devoting a few hours each week or month. Many come for longer periods—weeks or even months—dedicating themselves to areas such as gardening, cooking, or administration.
Practicality
All full-time volunteers are offered food and lodging. In general you are expected to work 5-6 hour daily, from 10am – 4pm, including lunch break, which allows you to follow the Gomde rhythm of group practice in the temple. When staying for longer periods you can expect one weekly resting day.
During bigger retreats and when preparing for retreats, working hours differ and we need to stay flexible and available.
Half-time Volunteering Retreat
For people who are staying more than five days, we offer the possibility for half-time volunteering, where you work only 2,5 hour daily and have the remaining of the day available for personal practice. The fee for this option is 35 euro for food and lodging. Reach out to us if you are interested in this option.
How to Begin
If you’re new to Gomde, we’ll begin with a simple step: a few days or a week-long stay to get to know each other. If it’s a good fit, this can grow into a longer commitment. Throughout the process, you’ll stay in close communication with our on-site volunteer manager. If you’re coming from far away and want to ensure a longer period from the start, simply write to us, and we can arrange a conversation by email or call.
To inquire, feel free to ask a team member during your visit or email us at gomde@gomde.dk.
Uniting Work and Practice
Volunteering is about connection—connection to practice, to community, and to a great vision. By joining Gomde as a volunteer, you step into a space of shared depth and vast intention, where practice and work can flow together. Meaning is found in the simple joy of offering what you can, with all your heart, knowing that you are part of a larger wish to serve and help others.
We are never alone in this. As a volunteer, you’ll work closely with others, weaving bonds of friendship and trust. Often, you’ll also have the chance to ask questions and receive personal guidance from Erik Pema Kunsang, deepening your understanding and grounding your work in a noble heart and insight.
