My Temple Volunteering Experience: How I Spent Time Giving Back While Away
Perhaps it was fate’s gentle nudge, or destiny’s invisible hand guiding me.

On the eve of my departure from Dar es Salaam, I stumbled upon a hidden gem—the serene Longquan Tanhua Temple. Who would have imagined? A peaceful Buddhist sanctuary nestled in the vibrant heart of Africa, thousands of miles from its spiritual roots.

And just like that, my journey took an unexpected turn. I found myself staying, becoming part of the temple’s daily rhythm as a volunteer.

“Volunteer” might sound too formal for what I did. My days were filled with simple yet meaningful tasks—learning carpentry from wise senior monks, breathing new life into weathered tables, then turning soil under the African sun to plant hopeful chrysanthemum seeds.

Every sunrise to sunset overflowed with purpose, each moment woven tightly into a tapestry of fulfillment. The temple taught me that sometimes, the most ordinary tasks can bring extraordinary peace.



