Public Lecture – “Mastering Divinity: Cultivating the Qualities of a Buddhist Chaplain, An Introduction” – HKU Centre of Buddhist Studies 20th Anniversary Series
Invited speaker: Dr. Amelia Hall
DPhil in Tibetan and Himalayan Studies, Oxford
Program Chair, Department of Wisdom Traditions, Naropa University
Lecture abstract:
Buddhist chaplaincy is an emergent global profession to provide care for the spiritual needs of people within hospitals, hospices, the military, prisons, secular workplaces, universities, and a variety of settings that are multi-faith, secular, or non-religious. What are the relevant qualities of the Buddhist path for spiritual caregivers in these settings? What does Buddhism have to offer? What are the challenges and what frameworks need to be developed?
This lecture will present an overview of Buddhist chaplaincy education, which uniquely prepares chaplains and spiritual community-builders for lives of contemplative leadership. This training emphasizes four key areas: 1) theological study—an in-depth understanding of contemplative Buddhist teachings in historical and present-day contexts; 2) socially engaged spiritual leadership—professional formation that affirms the potential for spiritual care to foster transformative healing with persons and communities in significant crisis; 3) inter-religious spiritual care courses that prepare students to serve in diverse inter-religious contexts while maintaining a deep rootedness in their own tradition(s), and 4) practice and meditation—instruction in Buddhist and other forms of spiritual practice as a foundation for compassionate and wise spiritual caregiving.
For more details, please go to our event webpage: https://www.event.buddhism.hku.hk/2023032401
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