Position Information
- Position Title: 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 dedicated to the promotion of Buddhist teachings, spiritual cultivation, Dharma education, cultural preservation, charitable activities, and community service. The Temple provides religious services, Dharma classes, meditation programs, retreats, youth education initiatives, and community outreach activities for Buddhist practitioners and the public.
Position Summary
The Abbot serves as the chief religious authority and spiritual leader of the Temple and is responsible for providing religious leadership, spiritual guidance, monastic supervision, and oversight of the Temple's religious, educational, and charitable activities. The successful candidate will guide the Temple's long-term religious development, preserve and promote Mahayana Buddhist teachings and traditions, supervise monastic training, and support the spiritual growth of both monastic and lay practitioners.
Duties and Responsibilities
The successful candidate will:
- Lead and conduct Buddhist religious services, ceremonies, rituals, memorial services, retreats, Dharma assemblies, and special religious observances;
- Provide spiritual leadership, religious instruction, and moral guidance to monks, nuns, volunteers, practitioners, and members of the public;
- Teach, interpret, and promote Mahayana Buddhist teachings, scriptures, philosophy, ethics, and monastic traditions;
- Oversee the Temple's religious affairs, spiritual development programs, and monastic training activities;
- Direct and supervise Dharma education programs, meditation programs, religious retreats, workshops, and lectures;
- Mentor, train, and supervise monks, nuns, novice monastics, Dharma instructors, and religious workers;
- Ensure compliance with Buddhist monastic discipline, religious traditions, and Temple policies;
- Provide spiritual counseling and pastoral support to practitioners, community members, and visitors;
- Lead major Buddhist festivals, ceremonies, ordinations, memorial services, and other special religious events;
- Oversee the preparation and delivery of Dharma teachings, religious publications, educational materials, and spiritual resources;
- Promote Buddhist teachings through public lectures, educational outreach, charitable activities, and community engagement initiatives;
- Establish and maintain relationships with Buddhist organizations, monasteries, temples, educational institutions, charitable organizations, and community groups;
- Represent the Temple in religious, cultural, charitable, and community affairs;
- Participate in the administration and management of the Temple's religious, educational, and charitable programs;
- Assist in establishing the Temple's long-term religious, educational, and community service objectives;
- Support fundraising, charitable initiatives, and community outreach activities consistent with the Temple's mission;
- Perform other duties consistent with the position of Abbot and spiritual leader of the Temple.
Employment Requirements
- Must be an ordained Buddhist monk in good standing within a recognized Buddhist monastic lineage;
- Minimum 20 years of experience serving in a Buddhist monastery, temple, or religious institution;
- Minimum 10 years of experience in senior religious leadership, Dharma instruction, spiritual guidance, monastic training, or administration of religious programs;
- 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, Buddhist scriptures, Buddhist philosophy, monastic discipline, Buddhist ceremonies, and religious education;
- Demonstrated experience leading religious services, Dharma assemblies, meditation retreats, ordinations, memorial services, and major Buddhist ceremonies;
- Experience supervising monks, nuns, novice monastics, religious instructors, volunteers, and religious workers;
- Demonstrated ability to provide spiritual counseling, 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 proficiency required;
- Mandarin Chinese proficiency is an asset.
Work Setting
- Buddhist temple and monastery environment;
- Religious services, educational programs, retreats, ceremonies, and community outreach activities;
- Interaction with monastic and lay practitioners, volunteers, visitors, and community stakeholders.
Pay: $69.00 per hour
Work Location: In person
