Woodenfish Program (HBMLP)

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: I'm not a US citizen. Am I still eligible for this program?

A: Absolutely! You do not need to be living or studying in the US to be eligible for the program, nor do you need to be a US citizen; we welcome applicants of all nationalities and encourage women to apply.

Q: Do we need to submit any letters of recommendation with the application?

A: No, letters of recommendation are not required; however, you may submit them if you wish.

Q: I have my undergraduate degree but am no longer registered at an academic institution. May I still apply?

A: Yes, and please indicate this on your statement. Note: Woodenfish does have an age limit of 40 years.

Q: My academic background is not in philosophy, religion or Eastern studies. May I still apply?

A: Yes, the HBMLP accepts a diverse group of students every year.

Q: I'm interested in Buddhism but I have no background in Chinese language or culture. Will this reduce my chances of acceptance?

A: No, you are still encouraged to apply. The staff will be all English-speakers, all classes will be conducted in English, and translators will be available when necessary. Knowledge of Chinese is not a prerequisite for acceptance.

Questions About the Facilities

Q: What will the rooms / sleeping arrangements be like?

A: Students are usually housed in the Fo Guang Shan guest dormitory, four to a room, in same-sex rooms. The rooms are all air-conditioned, each with two bathrooms with showers and Western-style toilets.

Q: Is the water safe to drink? Will drinking water be provided?

A: The water is usually OK but even the locals usually boil water before drinking it. In the dormitories, each floor has a drinking water dispenser, and fresh water is also available in almost all of the buildings on the monastery grounds.

Q: Will laundry facilities be available?

A: Yes. On the dormitory roof, there is a covered area with laundry sinks (students will hand-wash their own clothes) and space to hang clothes out to dry.

Q: Will students have access to telephones, mail, or the Internet?

A: Yes. There are payphones located throughout the monastery grounds, which operate on phone cards that can be purchased at several locations around the monastery, including the front desk of the dormitory. There is a post office on the monastery grounds where students can send and receive mail. Students will also have access to the computer lab at specified times, where they can access the Internet.

Other Questions About the Program

Q: Aside from daily classes, what other kinds of activities will students participate in throughout the program?

A: Special activities will be planned according to space and staff availability. Last year, students attended a five-day meditation retreat, participated for one day in a chanting retreat, in addition to participating in or observing various ceremonies conducted at the monastery. Similar activities will most likely be organized this year.

Q: Will students have the opportunity to interact with members of the monastic community outside of classes?

A: Yes, and if students have specific requests, arrangements may be made. Although proficiency in the Chinese language will be immensely helpful for communication, many of the monastics have at least some training in English.

Q: Will students be allowed off the monastery grounds?

A: The schedule includes free days for students; field trips to the city of Kaohsiung or the areas surrounding the monastery will be organized on these days. Students are generally asked not to leave the monastery grounds at any other times.

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