My Story of Volunteering in a Buddhist Monastery in Galle, Sri Lanka

Last Updated: March 07, 2025

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Hi, this is Daniela from Germany. Today, I am sharing with you my experience of volunteering in a Buddhist monastery in Galle, Sri Lanka.

When I first arrived in Galle on February 25th, I immediately felt calm, the next day I headed to the Buddhist Monastery with my host Michael. The incense in the monastery smelled sweet, and the monks' chanting was pleasant. Surrounded by green trees and gentle sounds, for a moment I forgot the fast life in Europe. Time seemed slower here, and I felt fully present.

Each day started with the  sunrise, when a soft bell woke us for Buddhist chants. At first, it was hard to quiet my racing thoughts, but the monks guided me gently. I started learning how to live with compassion and mindfulness.

Daily life in the monastery was simple, and it made me more thankful. We ate our meals in silence, carefully tasting each bite. I spent hours reading in the small library and thinking about how nothing lasts forever. The senior monks were very kind and patient, and the monk kids were like, well every other kids :)

In the afternoons, I had a chance to teach English to the young monk kids. At first, they were shy, but they soon grew comfortable, and we laughed together over the lessons that came ahead.

My two weeks in Galle will always be close to my heart. I shared and learned many things in this journey. I would like to thank Michael and the Volunteer FDIP team!

- Based on Experience of Daniela Grundei from Germany