On Buddhist Ministry

2011-06-13T10:54:00.000-07:00

The United States Armed Forces Names Its First Hindu Chaplain

2011-06-05T10:53:00.001-07:00

Buddhist Military Sangha has the story about her.

"Australian Defence Forces Seek a Buddhist Chaplain – Any Takers?"

2011-05-30T12:46:00.000-07:00

It's at Sujato's Blog.

"Accustomed to Bad News, Joplin Chaplain Takes It Personally This Time"

2011-05-30T10:46:00.000-07:00

The New York Times has the story.

Punishment for Antigay Views?

2011-05-30T10:43:00.000-07:00

The Advocate asks the question, following an open letter from "leaders of 21 religious groups that provide chaplains to the military...to the chiefs of chaplains for the Army, Navy, and Air Force, asking for Congress or the Pentagon to guarantee that troops will be able to discuss their objections to homosexuality without fear of repercussions."

The Jewish Chaplains Memorial

2011-05-30T10:41:00.000-07:00

Jerry Silverman, President and CEO of the Jewish Federations of North America, has the exciting news at The Huffington Post.

Fellow Travelers at Dharma Cowgirl

2011-05-30T07:39:00.000-07:00

A four part series has been published over at the blog Dharma Cowgirl likening the role of the Buddhist chaplain to that of a fellow traveler.
Part I explores the spiritual journey.

"Perhaps the most common religious metaphor of all is the ‘spiritual journey.’ Personal spiritual development has long been likened to a physical voyage and the voyager to a traveler along an unknown path. Cultural wisdom provides numerous maps, waypoints, and guides. What is the role of the chaplain in all this? Are we the catalyst that sets the traveler on the road? The mapmaker who charts the course? A waypoint, bridge guard, or innkeeper? None of these. The chaplain is a fellow traveler."

Part II explains Henri Nouwen's metaphor as the pastor or chaplain as a 'wounded healer.'

"First we must recognize suffering. Then we must recognize the source of suffering: desire and clinging. We must see that all those things, those people, we cling to cannot bring about a lasting happiness. Once we recognize this suffering within ourselves, we can recognize it in others. This is the beginning of compassion, when our loneliness becomes “an inexhaustible source of beauty and self understanding.” (Nouwen, p. 78) To be effective ministers, or chaplains, we must be able to recognize that we too suffer, we too are flawed, we too are in search of happiness, we too struggle."

Part III describes the role of the bodhisattva in a care theology for Buddhist chaplains.

"We must be able to meet people where they are on their path and provide them with what they need in order to continue their journey. This is particularly important in the work of a chaplain, who often comes across people in hospitals, hospices, prisons, police stations, and war zones who are dealing with some of the most traumatic moments of their lives. We must aspire “to benefit beings in any way that works,” according to Pema Chödrön’s commentary on this verse. What works for that person will depend on where they are; we must go to meet them."

Finally, Part IV uses the particular image of Jizo Bodhisattva (Ksitigharba) to draw a map chaplains can follow on their own journey.

"As mentioned before, due to Jizo’s aspect as the patron saint of hell, more or less, she is directly relatable to the work of the chaplain. “This is Buddhism with its eyes open,” says Bays of the Earth Store sutra, “a religion that takes faith off the meditation cushion and into the night of the soul, wide-eyed and open-handed into humanity’s grief’s, mistakes, broken hearts, and hurting wounds.” (Bays ,p. xiii) This metaphor of the helping hand will appear again and again throughout her book."

Check out the entire series and more posts on Buddhism, chaplaincy, and common sense at Dharma Cowgirl. Also, Dharma Cowgirl is seeking contributors. If you write, if you have something to say, even if you've never been published before, contact Monica at dharmacowgirl@gmail.com.

"Workplace Chaplains Growing Trend in Corporate America"

2011-05-24T16:13:00.000-07:00

Check out the story at NewsOK.

Religion News Service Interviews House Chaplain Nominee Caught in "Firestorm"

2011-05-24T16:11:00.000-07:00

Read it here.

"Boehner Taps Catholic Priest to be Next House Chaplain"

2011-05-09T15:55:00.000-07:00

USA Today has the story.

The Official UWest Buddhist Chaplaincy Program Blog