Frequently Asked Questions 

+ Where is Dharmalaya Institute located?

The Dharmalaya Institute is located in the forests of the Himalayan foothills between the town of Baijnath and the village of Bir in the Kangra district of the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. In more human terms, our campus is perched on a hill overlooking the far frontier of globalisation, where modern life has just begun to impact traditional, sustainable living but has not yet destroyed it. This is where the change of our age is happening. It is a fertile place to learn and a very valuable place to serve, where your participation and support can help preserve the precious traditions of the Himalayas, and you can also be touched and changed by them, and hopefully take some inspiration home with you.

+ Who are the people involved with Dharmalaya Institute and how did it get started?

Dharmalaya Institute was established in 2009 by an Indian charitable society registered in Himachal Pradesh and recognised by the Government of India under Section 80G of the Income Tax Act, 1961.

It is founded and guided by a multi-disciplinary team of educators, sustainable development specialists, and creatives from India, the USA and Switzerland (all serving as unpaid volunteers), in close collaboration with local community members from diverse backgrounds (including many rural villagers who are employed by the Institute). This group was united by the aspiration to preserve the precious natural environment and traditions of the Himalayas while supporting sustainable development and economic empowerment in the region, and in the process providing unique service-learning opportunities for people from across India and around the world.

› For more information on our team, see our People Page

+ Is Dharmalaya an official charity?

Yes, Dharmalaya Society is registered under the Himachal Pradesh Societies Registration Act of 2006 (registration number 4305) and is recognised by the Government of India as a tax-exempt charitable organisation under Section 80 G of the Income Tax Act, 1961. As such, charitable contributions to Dharmalaya are tax-deductible in both India to the extent allowed by law. For information about how to donate, click here.

› Visit our Legalities and Formalities page for more information.

+ What do I need to know about safety for women and girls?

Female travellers are advised to be vigilant when travelling anywhere in India, and as much as possible to avoid travelling alone, at night, or in dark or crowded places. The safest ways for women to travel in India are by plane or by train (preferably in the upper classes, which are less crowded and generally somewhat more secure), or by car with a known and trusted driver. If you must travel by bus, then choosing a reputable private bus company is strongly recommended, as there are many incidents of inappropriate behavior toward women on government buses. Please be aware that there is an alarming number of cases in which women travelling by public transportation in India (especially at night) have been subjected to varying degrees of inappropriate or violent behavior by male passengers, and in many of these cases the other passengers have failed to provide support when needed. For this reason, we really can’t recommend travelling by government bus or the lower classes of the trains in India until a larger cultural shift takes place.

For all female travellers, and especially for those travelling alone, we strongly recommend travelling by plane, train (upper classes only, e.g. 2nd AC or executive chair car), or private transportation with a known and trusted driver. You can either fly to Dharamshala (Gaggal airport) or take a train to Pathankot, and then take a taxi or daytime bus on from there to Bir. (See the Bir Portal for travel tips.)

The town of Bir itself is generally much safer than most places in the plains of India, as the people here are remarkably gentle and respectful. Still, women staying in Bir or the surrounding area are advised to follow two safety rules of thumb that are a good idea anywhere in South Asia (which most local women also tend to follow, as a cultural norm): Don’t go out alone late at night, and steer clear of men who have been drinking alcohol.

Once at the Dharmalaya Institute, women can rest assured of being safe and well respected. Dharmalaya and the surrounding village area is a peaceful place with gentle, respectful people. Here, everyone (male and female) regards women as daughters, sisters, and mothers, to be respected and protected, so we feel confident saying you should not have any unpleasant encounters here. (Just be aware that, whenever you leave Dharmalaya to go somewhere else, you should take a friend along with you and not travel alone or at night, just like anyplace else in India.)

The Dharmalaya community takes the safety and security for women very seriously. We have separate accommodation for females only, and our staff members are instructed to do everything that can be done to keep our campus safe. In the unlikely event that any of our guests might encounter an uncomfortable or inappropriate situation, we urge everyone to report any such incident to us so that we can take the appropriate action to ensure both safety and comfort.

+ Can I shoot video/vlogs/photos at Dharmalaya Institute?

The short answer: Only with advance permission from the management, and only by appointment made in advance at a time that does not conflict with the Institute’s schedule.

The long answer: Due to the popularity of Dharmalaya Institute and the values it stands for, many journalists, bloggers and others are interested in coming to Dharmalaya Institute for the purpose of creating videos, taking photos, and creating other media content. Anyone wishing to do so must apply for permission in advance by contacting us. This policy is strictly enforced, for two important reasons: (1) to ensure such visits are scheduled at an appropriate time that does not disrupt the activities at the Institute; and (2) to ensure that those publishing content about the Institute are provided with correct information so the material they publish is factually accurate and not misinformed or misleading to the public (which is sometimes a problem with irresponsible bloggers who do not check their information before publishing). Dharmalaya Institute is very happy to work with journalists and responsible bloggers who go through the proper channels to make appointments for this purpose, but drop-in visits are not permitted. We recommend contacting us at least two weeks in advance of your desired visit, and if an interview is desired, then more lead time would mean better likelihood that we might be able to grant your request for an interview.

+ Can I do my thesis or case study on Dharmalaya Institute? Can you help me?

We recommend you consider applying for one of our courses, workshops or volunteer programmes. That is the best (and only) way we can help.

We receive many requests from students doing thesis projects, case studies, etc., and we appreciate the great interest in Dharmalaya Institute and its work. We regret that due to the overwhelming interest we do not have the resources to respond to each of these individually, but we will offer some general guidance here.

You can learn about the basics of our work and our values by reading all the material here on our website, but the only way to develop a proper understanding of the Dharmalaya Institute and its is to participate in one of our training courses or workshops, or to volunteer with us for some time. To do a meaningful case study or thesis, you would need to attend at least one of these programmes, as it is not possible to develop a proper understanding from a brief site visit.

If you are an architect, you might be interested in deepening your knowledge through our Internship in Vernacular Eco-architecture (which requires a more serious, long-term commitment and requires taking one of our courses as a prerequisite). And if you have a more general interest in sustainability and personal development, we encourage you to consider our internship in Sustainable Project Development.

+ What are your opening hours and visit timings?

Dharmalaya Institute is open to visitors by appointment only. The Institute is closed on Sundays and on holidays and special programme days. The Institute is also closed to the public whenever it holds retreats, and during most of its intensive workshops. During other times, it is possible to make an appointment to visit the campus during visiting hours. For details, see this page.

+ How do I get to Dharmalaya Institute?

The Dharmalaya Institute is located in the forest about 6km northwest of the town of Bir in the Baijnath subdistrict of the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. For maps and directions, see our location page. For more information on travel to, from, and around Bir, see the Bir Portal’s Visitors’ Guide.

+ I am in the neighbourhood and would like to drop by for a look - is this possible?

Visits to the campus are by appointment only. Please contact before planning your visit to be sure the campus is open to visitors at the time you would like to come, and to make an appointment for your visit. Only after receiving confirmation from us should you make your plans to visit. For details, see our Visitor Information page.

+ Do you provide guided tours?

Dharmalaya Institute receives a steady stream of visitors wanting to learn more about the Institute, and we are very pleased that there is so much interest in our work.

To satisfy the interest of our many visitors without disrupting the work of the Institute, we offer guided tours (with question-and-answer sessions) once per week, during non-programme periods only, and by prior appointment only. The date and time for guided tours changes from time to time, so contact us for details. To be clear, tours and Q&A sessions are not available for drop-in visitors. These services can be arranged only by prior appointment, and only during periods when the Institute is not hosting a retreat or workshop. For details, see our Visitor Information page.

+ Can I stay at Dharmalaya Institute for a holiday?

Sorry, no. Dharmalaya Institute is an educational and charitable institution, not a hotel. We provide accommodation only for those participating in our programmes (e.g. students, volunteers, interns, and other registered programme participants).

+ Can I bring my children to Dharmalaya Institute?

In general we welcome parents to bring your children along if you feel our environment will be suitable for your family and especially for you child. However there are a few things we urge you to consider carefully, to make sure you understand:

Our campus is still under construction and there may be various hazards around the campus, so children must be supervised by their parents to ensure their safety. (Kindly note: Dharmalaya does not have the capacity to monitor children’s safety and cannot be responsible for them.)

We are in a remote rural area, and it is not easy to get medical or other supplies that you might need for children (we’re about a 50-minute walk from the nearest small shop).

Everyone eats the same group meals (100% plant-based vegan vegetarian) and there is no provision for families ordering special food for children or cooking their own meals. For that reason, children in residence would need to be able to eat the communal meals. Kindly note our campus is completely vegan, so animal products are prohibited (including meat, eggs, milk, honey, etc.).

Sometimes there are water shortages that can last anywhere between a few hours and a few days, which for adults is merely an inconvenience but for children may require special consideration.

We are far from a doctor or hospital too, so in case of any urgent medical issues there is some risk — a bit more than other places. There are often people doing silent meditation at Dharmalaya, and generally coming here to enjoy the peace and tranquility, so parents are requested to keep their children from shouting, etc.

If any of these might present an issue for you, then our suggestion would be to consider staying at a nearby guest house and then come up to Dharmalaya before 9:00am for volunteer work, and then go back down after 5pm (or whenever is convenient for you). But if you feel quite confident that none of these would be an issue for you or your kids, then you’re welcome to stay with your children on the Dharmalaya campus while you’re volunteering with us.

Either way, whether you sleep and eat on campus or not, you’re certainly welcome to volunteer with us.

+ How can I stay healthy? What immunizations/medications should I consider?

That’s a very good question, and we have detailed answers for you. See our article on Staying Healthy in Rural India.

+ What type of visa should I apply for if I'm not a citizen of India?

This depends on the purpose and duration of your stay, but most foreign visitors would require only a tourist visa.

Dharmalaya’s short-term programmes are considered ‘ecotourism’, not formal study or volunteer work, so all short-term visitors should apply for a tourist visa (not an employment or student visa). When we asked government officials for clarification about this, they told us that all casual visitors (not formally enrolled in a long-term study or volunteering programme) should simply apply for a tourist visa and just mention ‘tourism’ as your purpose for visiting India (not volunteering or study).

However, in the case of those enrolling in long-term study programmes or internships, it may be appropriate to apply for a student visa (in the case of formal long-term study) or an employment visa (in the case of internships or long-term formal volunteering). In these cases, we can provide the necessary official documents for you to submit with your visa application.

+ What kind of weather should I expect in Bir?

The answer you want to hide until a click goes here!

+ What is the best time of the year to come to Dharmalaya Institute?

There are pros and cons to each season, and which is best for each person will depend on individual preferences. In our region of the Himalayas, there are four seasons:

• Summer (roughly 15 March to 30 June)
• The monsoon rainy season (usually 1 July through 15 September, though climate change has made the timing less predictable in recent years: in 2013 and 2014, the monsoon rains continued almost until the end of October)
• Autumn (roughly 15 September to 15 December), and
• Winter (late December through February or early March).

In general, summer and autumn are the most temperate, which also means that’s when most of the visitors come (this is either a plus or a minus, depending on whether you enjoy having more people around or prefer a quieter vibe). Winters are cold but generally not extremely cold: those who are accustomed to sub-freezing European winters might find our winters comparatively mild, while those from warmer climates (and those who feel cold easily) might find the Himalayan foothills uncomfortably chilly in winter (especially since there’s no central heating in rural Indian buildings and firewood is very scarce). Fortunately, Dharmalaya Institute’s thick mud walls keep us relatively warm through the winter.

In terms of numbers of people:

• Summer is the peak season (we’re usually pretty full from March through June).
• The monsoon season is the quietest, with just our five-person staff and a few dedicated volunteers and interns.
• Autumn is moderately busy and lively, but not as crowded as in March through June.
• Winter is usually quieter than autumn but not as quiet as the monsoon season.

Special advisory about the monsoon season: The monsoon season here in the Kangra District of Himachal Pradesh is very wet. It doesn’t rain continuously, but quite frequently, and often the rain can be intense. Even when it isn’t raining, it’s typically so humid and cloudy that sometimes one’s laundry never completely dries on its own (though there are local tricks to get it dry). The rain, humidity, and rarity of sunshine can make the monsoon season feel unpleasant for some people who tend to feel depressed by gray skies. On the other hand, there are also some people who feel it’s the best time to come because everything is fresh, green, and alive, and there are very few tourists around. Those who love peace and quiet sometimes prefer the monsoon season. The range of activities is limited during the rainy season (muddy roads make it more challenging to go back and forth between Dharmalaya and the town of Bir proper), so it may not be the best season if you’d like to come and go from the campus a lot. That said, it’s a great time to be at Dharmalaya if all you want is a peaceful, beautiful place to do some volunteering and/or personal practice of meditation/yoga. (The monsoon season is traditionally considered the best time for long meditation retreats.)

If you’re comfortable with all of the above and you don’t mind getting wet and perhaps a bit muddy, then you’re absolutely welcome to come during monsoon and do some seasonal volunteer work (which often includes interior building work, gardening and tree planting) or a traditional rainy season meditation retreat — or a little of each.

For local weather forecasts, the most dependable and detailed source is the website of the ‘McLeodGanj Weather Geek’, a meteorologist based in Dharamshala whose forecasts are generally applicable to the Bir area as well. You can also try weather.com or Yahoo! Weather.

+ Where are the closest ATMs located?

There are ATMs in both Baijnath and Bir, but it is hit-and-miss whether a given ATM will have cash or not on any given day, or whether it will work with certain ATM/debit cards, so it is best to take some cash from a reliable ATM in your area before traveling to Bir. For non-Indians, note that many nearby ATMs do not accept foreign ATM/debit cards, so it might be necessary to try more than one.

+ Are there convenient shops and food outlets nearby?

There are shops, food and drink stalls and restaurants in both Baijnath and Bir.

+ Are there travel agencies in Bir?

Yes, though these days most people make their bookings online.

+ What is the situation with mobile phones and internet access at Dharmalaya and Bir?

In general, one can count on mobile phones and Internet access in this Himalayan part of rural India to work about 3/4 of the time, give or take.

Internet shops: In the town of Bir, there are several internet shops with (usually) decent broadband connections, that generally work (unless the electricity is out).

Smartphones: If you have a smartphone with internet access capability, you can access the Internet using your own mobile data services. All of the major carriers offer mobile data in our area at speeds ranging from 2G to 4G — depending on where you stand! You may also be able to tether your laptop to your smartphone if your mobile phone supports it.

At Dharmalaya Institute: We do have electricity on the Dharmalaya campus, which you can use to recharge you rmobile phone or tablet (bring your own charger). Note that signal strength varies by carrier: Airtel, Reliance, IDEA, and BSNL tend to have the best signal here (though far from perfect).

So, in summary, if you have an Indian SIM card (or a foreign SIM card with an international roaming plan), you can make mobile phone calls and access the Internet (much of the time, with some interruptions in service) from at least some parts of the Dharmalaya campus. If and when you have a need for a faster connection, you can go into town to use one of the net cafés in Bir Tibetan Colony.

+ What are my accomodation options?

There are three options for lodging in our area: staying at the Dharmalaya Institute itself; staying at the Sherab Ling Monastery Guest House (further down the valley); or staying at a guesthouse/hotel in the town of Bir. We’ll discuss each of these separately below.

1. Staying at Dharmalaya Institute: Dharmalaya Institute provides several accommodation options for our volunteers and programme/retreat participants, including private rooms, private tents, shared dormitories, and shared tents. Accommodations on the Dharmalaya campus are limited and subject to availability, so, if you’d like to stay on campus, please use the relevant programme registration form to notify us of your accommodation preference, and wait to confirm your travel arrangements until you hear back from us.

For details on the options and costs for food and lodging at Dharmalaya Institute itself, see our Accommodations page.

2. Staying at Sherab Ling Monastery’s Guest House: Another nearby option (though probably too far for most people to want to walk every day) is to stay at the comfortable guest house at Sherab Ling Monastery, the main seat of Khenting Tai Situ Rinpoche, a respected meditation teacher of the Karma Kagyü tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. The facilites at the Sherab Ling guest house are modern and clean, and it’s usually easy enough to arrange a taxi between Sherab Ling and Dharmalaya if you prefer not to walk up and down the forested ridge every day.

3. Staying at a Hotel/Guest House in the Town of Bir: There are quite a few guest houses, hotels, and cafés in Bir and, fortunately, food and accommodation in Bir are quite affordable, so if you can afford to get to Bir, you can probably afford to stay here for a while. Rates range from Rs 500 to Rs 2500 per night. Meals in local cafés and restaurants range between Rs 50 and Rs 300 per person. (You can check exchange rates here.)

+ What kind of food is available at the Dharmalaya Institute?

The Dharmalaya Institute serves wholesome, all-natural, 100% plant-based (vegan) vegetarian cuisine using local and organic ingredients as much as possible (whatever we can grow ourselves, plus whatever is available locally and regionally). Our meals are simple but tasty and plentiful (served buffet-style). They are suitable for vegans (no animal products whatsover are used) and, to the best of our knowledge, are compatible with the guidelines for kosher and halal diets by virtue of being without animal products and alcohol. (Please note that if you wish to include animal products in your diet, you would need to eat off campus, such as at a restaurant down in the town of Bir itself. Because this is an ashram-style environment, it is not permissible to bring any kind of meat or eggs onto the property, and our campus is also free of other animal products including dairy and honey, etc.). If you intend to stay on the Dharmalaya campus (subject to availability), please bring enough cash (in rupees) to make donations to cover the costs of your meals.

+ How does one do laundry at Dharmalaya Institute?

The old-fasioned way! There are no ‘laundry facilities’ as such at Dharmalaya Institute (or anywhere nearby), so one washes ones own clothes in the village style, using all-natural (coconut-based) soaps and buckets of water at our simple outdooor laundry station, and hanging clothes on the line to dry. We provide the natural soaps for this purpose, so there is no need to bring your own.

+ I am enrolled in a long-term programme - What if i run out of my personal eco-supplies?

Many long-term participants enjoy learning to make our own natural soaps, shampoos, etc. For things that can't be made or purchased locally, you can coordinate with our manager about placing orders for delivery.

+ How long does it take to find out if i am accepted into a programme?

This depends on the programme and the circumstances. For shorter programs (e.g. workshops and retreats of one to three weeks), it usually takes between one and three weeks to process applicaitons and respond. But for some programmes (especially longer and more popular programmes), we review applications in batches, and in those cases the timing depends on when a particular batch review begins. In general, if you haven't heard from us after a few weeks, of if the time to make your travel plans is approaching, you're welcome to contact us to follow up on the status of your application.

+ Will I be issued a certificate by Dharmalaya Institute?

As a matter of both policy and principle, Dharmalaya Institute does not issue certificates for its volunteers, interns, or workshop participants.

We issue certificates only for long-term training courses such as our Earthen Masonry Training Programme and certain immersive residential courses with a duration of a year or longer.

Our Earthen Masonry training programme is a long-term (six months minimum) vocational development programme intended primarily for participants from rural areas who otherwise might be unlikely to complete higher education or receive any form of educational or professional credentials.

There is a thriving market for certificate courses in India. Such certificates are intended to convey the impression that one has learned something, but let’s be honest: In reality it’s very easy to get certificates without learning much. In most of those courses, even if one’s body is present, the mind could be off wandering anywhere and one would still receive the certificate. This makes such certificates meaningless, but many people are still happy to pay for them in the hope of getting some advantage in the job marketplace. However, most of the people doing the hiring are aware that certificates usually don’t mean much, so one's time and money might be better spent seeking real learning and practical experience, not certificates.

Dharmalaya Institute's prime educational objective is to serve those who wish to learn for the sake of learning, discovery, and skill development, as well as deeper insight into the world and into ourselves. We know from experience that holistic, experiential learning is its own reward. And we encourage students and young professionals to have confidence in your ability to learn and grow, and to be recognized and valued so highly for your sincere learning and your good character that you won’t need another piece of paper to prove anything about yourself.

+ My school requires proof of participation in order for me to recieve credits, can you provide this for me?

In certain cases, academic institutions require their students to furnish documention of their participation in workshops or training programmes in order to receive credit. In such cases, Dharmalaya Institute will be happy to send a letter directly to a faculty member confirming the student’s participation in any of our formal training programmes (meaning workshops and courses specifically, not volunteer work periods) of at least four months, provided that said student has indeed participated according to the published expectations of the programme in question, at the discretion of the programme faculty.

+ When can I volunteer at Dharmalaya Institute?

New volunteers commence during any of our posted Volunteer Work Periods, which take place periodically in the time periods in between workshops.

If wish to attend any workshops and programmes that occcur during your volunteering time with us, you will need to apply separately for each programme. In some cases exceptions can be made for long-term volunteers who have already spent at least four months volunteering at Dharmalaya and wish to remain during a special programme. This is decided on a case-by-case basis.

+ Is it possible to volunteer during the low seasons (monsoon and winter)?

Yes, if you are adventurous, self-reliant, self-motivated, flexible, and patient. We recommend you read all the information below before deciding.

We don’t want to discourage you, but we also don’t want you to be disappointed if you come a long way only to find the current reality here doesn’t match what you imagined or hoped it would be. So please read the following closely to get a clear idea of what you can expect (and not expect) during the low seasons:

• ACTIVITY at Dharmalaya is highly seasonal. January and February tend to be colder and relatively quiet, with a core staff of about five or six friendly people plus a few interns volunteers. February is one of the best times for tree planting. Mid-March through June is our liveliest season, with lots of people around most of the time and several special programmes (note that it is not possible to come as a short-term volunteer during these special programmes; one would need to register for the programme instead). The July through September monsoon season is the quietest time, so it’s a great time for long-term silent retreats, and there are comparatively fewer volunteers working during this very wet season (though we usually have several eco-architecture interns working throughout the monsoon, joined by volunteers who come and go). October through mid-December is a pleasant, moderately busy season.

• COMPANIONS: While our friendly core staff works year-round, the number of volunteers and interns at Dharmalaya during the low seasons fluctuates (usually between six and twelve) depending on ever-changing circumstances. If you enjoy quiet time in the mountains and forest, you might really enjoy the low seasons, but for some people (particularly those who are highly social and strongly prefer to be around a larger group) it could feel a bit lonely sometimes in the monsoon and winter. But, again, our friendly staff work every day and will happily look after you, and they enjoy working side-by-side with our volunteers, so it’s only in the evenings that the population sometimes drops down under ten.

• WORK: Knowing what work to do in the low season sometimes requires taking some initiative to ask questions. Our full-time staff will be able to guide you and explain the work, which you can do along with them. In case it isn’t clear what work is to be done, or how one is to do it, one can simply ask them and they will happily explain. During the low seasons, when we’re not hosting any structured programme, there might be some days that are slower, with less work to be done. In such cases, our intrepid volunteers may need more patience, flexibility, and an ability to enjoy yourselves. We make point of mentioning this because we’ve found that some people are quite driven to work hard and accomplish a lot, which is great, but at times when we’re not able to organise the work and provide clear instructions about what’s to be done on a given day, it might sometimes feel frustrating or disappointing to those of us who prefer greater structure, organisation, and clear direction. So, we’re making it as clear as we can in advance: During this startup phase, some low-season days are less organised (there may be delays getting needed materials, etc.), so some patience, flexibility, and self-motivation may be required.

In summary, volunteering during the low seasons is great for those with adventurous spirits and those who enjoy peace and tranquility, but it isn’t for everyone: Some people might find it too lonely, too boring, or otherwise unsatisfying, while others find it to be paradise.

+ What is the minimum time commitment for volunteer work?

This depends on the particular volunteer position and also the time of year. The bare minimum commitment for most Volunteer Work Periods is three weeks.

Short-term volunteers (less than four months) may apply to volunteer only during our ‘Volunteer Work Periods.

+ What if I can only volunteer for a short time?

In general, the only way to volunteer short-term (less than four months) at Dharmalaya Institute is to participate in one of our workshops, after which you will be trained and qualified to remain as a volunteer, or to return in the future as a volunteer.

+ I am applying as a long-term volunteer - what are my options during workshop and programme periods?

Long-term volunteers (four months or more) whose proposed stay overlaps with any of our other scheduled programmes have two options during those scheduled programme periods: either

• register to participate in those programmes (and pay any associated fees), or
• take a break from Dharmalaya for the duration of such programmes (in order to, for example, take a trip to explore the region).

+ What forms of payment are accepted at Dharmalaya Institute?

We accept payment for tution fees and donations by cheque/demand draft, bank transfer, cash (Indian Rupees only), or credit/debit card (online payments only).

Note for those who are not citizens of India: If you plan to pay in cash, you will need to bring Indian rupees. There are no money changing facilities in Bir proper. The closest authorized money changer is in Baijnath, about 30 minutes away by taxi.

+ Are there tuition fees or other costs required to participate in your workshops and courses?

Workshops and special course events have a reasonble tuition fee plus accomodation and food costs during your stay with us. Wherever possible, we offer work-study discounts or scholarships for low-income participants.

+ What are the costs for interning at Dharmalaya Institute?

There are no tuition fees for our Internship programmes, though the workshops and trainings that take place during your internship will have their own fees, which interns are required to pay when joining those programmes. At all other times, interns staying and eating at the institute have to pay for their own food and accommodation expenses.

+ What are the costs for volunteering at Dharmalaya Institute?

During our ‘Volunteer Work Periods’ there are no tuition fees. Volunteers staying and eating at the institute have to pay for your own food and accommodation expenses.

+ I am interested in studying with Dharmalaya but I do not have sufficient money, is there any other way I can make up for the course fee?

Wherever possible, we offer work-study discounts or scholarships for low-income participants. Please contact us for details.