Odiyan Buddhist Country Center

Odiyan is a residential volunteer-based retreat and art center located on 1,000 acres of rolling hills in rural Northern California. Although Odiyan is located in Sonoma County, California, volunteers join us from across the U.S. Founded in 1975 by Tibetan Lama Tarthang Tulku Rinpoche, Odiyan is dedicated to preserving the living tradition of Tibetan Buddhism by creating temples, statues, and sacred art, as well as translating and publishing Buddhist texts.

Volunteers live and work together in an immersive community that blends daily manual work with meditation, study, and mindful living. Work ranges from construction, gardening, and animal care to art creation, cooking, and landscaping — all in support of Odiyan’s spiritual mission.

Living at Odiyan offers a rare opportunity to step away from the distractions of modern life, connect with nature, and explore the integration of body, speech, and mind in a peaceful, supportive environment. Whether casting a bronze statue, planting in the vegetable garden, or caring for the miniature horses, every task is approached as a practice of mindfulness and generosity.

Program length: Preference is given to applicants who commit for the full duration of 8 months. The minimum commitment is 6 months.

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