Introduction to Buddhist Chaplaincy Training – Sati Center for Buddhist Studies

As Buddhist spiritual practice finds an increasing presence within American society, there is both an opportunity and a need to train Buddhist practitioners to serve as spiritual caregivers and chaplains. This yearlong training serves as an introduction to the foundational skills of chaplaincy/spiritual care that includes and integrates Buddhist teachings. It is designed to meet the needs of people in a variety of ways:

– Basic training in spiritual care

– Fulfilling one requirement that certain Buddhist groups have to endorse or ordain a member to become a Buddhist chaplain.

– Introductory training for those interested in becoming volunteer or professional chaplain. (The training does not meet all the requirements needed for functioning as a chaplain.)

The 2023-2024 Introduction to Buddhist Chaplaincy Training is offered in two separate formats:

In-person at the Insight Meditation Center in Redwood City, CA (Sept. 22, 2023 to June 28, 2024)
Online in a Zoom platform classroom (Sept. 28, 2023 to July 12, 2024)

About Chaplaincy
The practice of chaplaincy (also referred to as ‘spiritual care’) is a multi-faceted and well-established professional discipline. Chaplains care for and help individuals from different faith traditions or no tradition at all. Likewise, chaplains care for people from all walks of life, respecting their diverse cultures, identities, abilities and beliefs.

A chaplain is an individual who is ordained or endorsed by a faith group to provide spiritual care in diverse settings including, but not limited to: hospitals, corrections, long-term care, rehabilitation centers, sports teams, palliative care, military, hospices, workplaces, mental health, universities, and other specialized settings.

Chaplaincy/spiritual care includes emotional, spiritual, religious, ethical, and/or integral care. It is grounded in initiating, developing and deepening, and bringing to an appropriate close, a mutual and empathic relationship with the patient/client, family, and/or staff. The development of a genuine relationship is at the core of chaplaincy care and underpins, even enables, all the other dimensions of spiritual care to occur.

Click on the following for more information:

Each spring, an introductory event is held to provide information about Buddhist Chaplaincy and about the program. Click here for information about the most recent session on April 22nd 2023.