Volunteering at the Bodhi

Do you want to deepen your practice by serving as a volunteer for the Bodhi?

If you are visiting the Bodhi or on retreat, “samu” is the traditional participation in the work needed to maintain a Zen monastery. At the Bodhi, samu usually begins in the morning following early morning meditation and breakfast and is regarded as a continuation of meditative practice. Typically samu is practiced in silence. For an hour or two work practice includes various activities such as helping in the kitchen with cooking or clean-up, maintenance of the grounds such as cutting the grass, helping with the gardeners with weeding the vegetable garden, cleaning the motel rooms, and other activities. The beginning and ending of samu is signaled by the ringing of a gong. Time to take a break and relax by the Jemez river or in the hot springs!