Difference between revisions of "Buddhist Chaplain"
(Created page with " A Definition of Buddhist Chaplaincy From ‘Towards a Definition of Buddhist Chaplaincy’ by Jennifer Block. Click here to read the entire article. Buddh...") |
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| − | The [[seeds]] of [[Buddhist]] | + | |
| + | A Definition of [[Buddhist Chaplaincy]] | ||
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| + | From ‘Towards a [[Definition]] of [[Buddhist]] Chaplaincy’ by [[Jennifer Block]]. | ||
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| + | [[Buddhist]] chaplaincy is in the formative stage as a modern-day [[discipline]] and profession at the intersection between [[Buddhism]], chaplaincy and [[suffering]]. [[Buddhist chaplains]] join {{Wiki|chaplains}} from other [[faith]] [[traditions]] in institutional settings such as hospitals, hospices, and prisons. | ||
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| + | In this essay I propose, in broad brushstrokes, what it means to me to be a [[Buddhist]] chaplain. | ||
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| + | The [[seeds]] of [[Buddhist chaplaincy]] as a vocation begin with the [[Buddha]]. | ||
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| + | The three most common [[causes]] of [[people]] needing healthcare in our day—old age, [[sickness]], and death—were the very same that inspired the [[Buddha]] to reach beyond the familiar into greater [[truth]] and [[happiness]]. | ||
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| + | In doing so, he eventually found a [[path]] to [[peace]] in the midst of all that is difficult, uncomfortable, and confounding. | ||
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| + | Reaching out to the men and women in his {{Wiki|community}} who were seeking ways to alleviate their [[pain]], the [[Buddha]] [[offered]] care through careful guidance and a {{Wiki|myriad}} of teachings. | ||
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| + | In [[essence]], the [[Buddha]] was a chaplain, or rather, [[Buddhist]] {{Wiki|chaplains}} who {{Wiki|comfort}} others are walking in the footsteps of the [[Buddha]]. | ||
For 2,500 years, [[Buddhists]] have contemplated [[sickness]], [[old age]] and [[death]] to find an [[end to suffering]]. [[Buddhist]] {{Wiki|chaplains}} continue this practice in hospitals, hospices, prisons, and other facilities, helping [[people]] to reduce their [[pain]] and skillfully deal with what is happening to them, in the [[moment]]. | For 2,500 years, [[Buddhists]] have contemplated [[sickness]], [[old age]] and [[death]] to find an [[end to suffering]]. [[Buddhist]] {{Wiki|chaplains}} continue this practice in hospitals, hospices, prisons, and other facilities, helping [[people]] to reduce their [[pain]] and skillfully deal with what is happening to them, in the [[moment]]. | ||
| − | [[Buddhist]] | + | [[Buddhist chaplains]] are motivated by [[loving kindness]], an opening of the [[heart]] through [[spiritual practice]], and are characterized by [[love]] for, [[compassion]] towards, [[equanimity]] amongst, and [[sympathetic joy]] for others. |
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| + | In general, the {{Wiki|purpose}} of a [[Buddhist]] chaplain is to alleviate [[suffering]] in its many [[forms]]: [[physical]] [[pain]], difficult [[emotions]], and confusing or {{Wiki|disturbing}} [[thoughts]], more commonly known as agony, {{Wiki|fear}}, [[anger]], [[guilt]], {{Wiki|depression}}, loneliness, [[grief]], and so on. | ||
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Everyone needs encouragement, assistance, and [[direction]] on their life’s journey; the role of a [[Buddhist]] chaplain is to accompany {{Wiki|individuals}} as their [[awakening]] and freedom from [[suffering]] unfolds. This may mean simply being a good listener, or an encouraging companion, an {{Wiki|intelligent}} guide, or a piercing truth-teller. | Everyone needs encouragement, assistance, and [[direction]] on their life’s journey; the role of a [[Buddhist]] chaplain is to accompany {{Wiki|individuals}} as their [[awakening]] and freedom from [[suffering]] unfolds. This may mean simply being a good listener, or an encouraging companion, an {{Wiki|intelligent}} guide, or a piercing truth-teller. | ||
| − | [[Buddhist]] {{Wiki|chaplains}} do not serve as intermediaries or [[religious]] authorities [[per se]], but as capable, steady companions who have investigated [[suffering]] through our [[own]] [[life]] [[experiences]]. Specifically, [[spiritual]] support from a [[Buddhist]] {{Wiki|perspective}} can be defined as: | + | |
| + | [[Buddhist]] {{Wiki|chaplains}} do not serve as intermediaries or [[religious]] authorities [[per se]], but as capable, steady companions who have investigated [[suffering]] through our [[own]] [[life]] [[experiences]]. | ||
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| + | Specifically, [[spiritual]] support from a [[Buddhist]] {{Wiki|perspective}} can be defined as: | ||
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| − | [[Category:]] | + | [[Category:Buddhism]] |
Revision as of 09:21, 14 December 2015
A Definition of Buddhist Chaplaincy
From ‘Towards a Definition of Buddhist Chaplaincy’ by Jennifer Block.
Buddhist chaplaincy is in the formative stage as a modern-day discipline and profession at the intersection between Buddhism, chaplaincy and suffering. Buddhist chaplains join chaplains from other faith traditions in institutional settings such as hospitals, hospices, and prisons.
In this essay I propose, in broad brushstrokes, what it means to me to be a Buddhist chaplain.
The seeds of Buddhist chaplaincy as a vocation begin with the Buddha.
The three most common causes of people needing healthcare in our day—old age, sickness, and death—were the very same that inspired the Buddha to reach beyond the familiar into greater truth and happiness.
In doing so, he eventually found a path to peace in the midst of all that is difficult, uncomfortable, and confounding.
Reaching out to the men and women in his community who were seeking ways to alleviate their pain, the Buddha offered care through careful guidance and a myriad of teachings.
In essence, the Buddha was a chaplain, or rather, Buddhist chaplains who comfort others are walking in the footsteps of the Buddha.
For 2,500 years, Buddhists have contemplated sickness, old age and death to find an end to suffering. Buddhist chaplains continue this practice in hospitals, hospices, prisons, and other facilities, helping people to reduce their pain and skillfully deal with what is happening to them, in the moment.
Buddhist chaplains are motivated by loving kindness, an opening of the heart through spiritual practice, and are characterized by love for, compassion towards, equanimity amongst, and sympathetic joy for others.
In general, the purpose of a Buddhist chaplain is to alleviate suffering in its many forms: physical pain, difficult emotions, and confusing or disturbing thoughts, more commonly known as agony, fear, anger, guilt, depression, loneliness, grief, and so on.
Everyone needs encouragement, assistance, and direction on their life’s journey; the role of a Buddhist chaplain is to accompany individuals as their awakening and freedom from suffering unfolds. This may mean simply being a good listener, or an encouraging companion, an intelligent guide, or a piercing truth-teller.
Buddhist chaplains do not serve as intermediaries or religious authorities per se, but as capable, steady companions who have investigated suffering through our own life experiences.
Specifically, spiritual support from a Buddhist perspective can be defined as:
Willingness to bear witness
Willingness to help others discover their own truth
Willingness to sit and listen to stories that have meaning and value
Helping another to face life directly
Welcoming paradox & ambiguity into care—and trusting that these will emerge into some degree of awakening
Creating opportunities for the people to awaken to their True Nature
Source
http://buddhistchaplains.org/cmsms/index.php?page=definition-buddhist-chaplian
