Certificate in Buddhist Spiritual Care
For over two decades, the Sati Center for Buddhist Studies has trained hundreds of students in Buddhist chaplaincy and Theravada studies. Graduates of our chaplaincy programs now serve in hospitals, hospices, prisons, community centers, and sanghas across the country, while graduates of our Theravada studies programs have matured significantly as Buddhist practitioners, with some becoming sangha leaders and teachers. As our programs have grown, so has interest in participating in more structured and dedicated ways.
Focus: Chaplaincy and Buddhist pastoral care
- Develop skills to accompany individuals through grief, illness, and transition
- Train in spiritual caregiving in hospitals, hospices, prisons, and communities
- Apply Buddhist principles to systemic suffering and institutional contexts
Duration: Two to three years part-time
- Regular and committed Buddhist practice and study for at least four years.
- Three Buddhist meditation retreats of at least one week for a total of 21 days or more.
Application: includes statement of purpose, letter of recommendation, and interview with faculty.
- Anukampa – Spiritual Care Foundations – 3 units
- Introduction to Buddhist Chaplaincy – 9 units or/and Buddhist Eco-Chaplaincy – 9 units
- Buddhist
Eco-Chaplaincy (11 units)
- Spiritual Care courses (9+ units)
- Death, Grief & Loss – 3 units
- Working with Pain – 3 units
- Hospice & Palliative Care – 3 units
- Counseling Skills – 3 units
- Buddhist Multiculturalism – 3 units
- Buddhism & Social Concerns – 3 units
- Prison Chaplaincy – 1-3 units
- Electives (1-3 units each): Theravada Studies, independent studies and research, or additional care courses
- Supervised field work or chaplaincy placement in hospitals, hospices, or community organizations.
Unit and Workload Standards: Unit assignments reflect graduate-level expectations of classroom time, reading, writing, faculty discussions, and practicum hours.
with Gil Fronsdal, Jennifer Block, and Paul Haller
September 2026 – July 2027
with Dawn Neal, Trent Thornley, and Vanessa Able
September 2026– July 2027
with Gil Fronsdal, Kaira Jewel Lingo, Susie Harrington, Kirsten Rudestam, and Ram Appalaraju
August 2026 – December 2027