Friday, March 18, 2011

"Professionalizing" Chaplaincy on Dharma Cowgirl



I believe ethics is hard.  It is one dimension that makes the work of the chaplain hard.  I don't believe ethical decision making can be 'solved' or made any easier by a few sheets of paper, no matter how wise the words they contain.  I don't believe belonging to a "profession" makes one any more ethical than otherwise.  However, I have recently read a number of articles (Morhmann, for one) calling for the "professionalization" or chaplaincy under more stringent entry standards, greater oversight, and through the creation and application of a standard code of "professional ethics."  Naturally, I am suspicious.

Thursday, March 17, 2011

"Flying on a Wing and Prayer"

The Wall Street Journal profiles Rev. Michael Zaniolo, head chaplain at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport.

Friday, March 04, 2011

Meet the Class: The Monk and The Mercedes


The first in a series of profiles of chaplaincy students at University of the West is up over at Dharma Cowgirl, home of UWest student and inveterate blogger Monica Sanford (that's me!). Read about Tommy Nguyen, Vietnamese Zen monk, U.S. Army Officer, chaplain candidate, student, and all around great guy in The Monk and The Mercedes. This is the story of one person's encounter with the Dharma and how he came to the path of chaplaincy. It is also a first interesting glimpse into why someone might want to be a Buddhist chaplain. Tommy talks about coming to the United States from Vietnam and what the bodhisattva path means to him. Check it out!

Thursday, March 03, 2011

First Noble Truth, I guess

Sometimes, I just feel the suffering. I think about Libya and all the kids I know who live under a bridge.

My contemplative practices and community work seem so ridiculously fragile in the face of your loss and rage, whoever you are.

I wish we could skip to the cessation of pain and the road to something better. But real change starts with our real feelings.

What squirms against violence is already somehow awake and free, but we still cry.

Interfaith Religious Calender