Our Mission
Rooted in the Buddhist traditions, the mission of the Bodhiyana Buddhist Chaplain Fellowship is to develop an organization of lay ordained Buddhist Chaplains. We will promote professional Buddhist Spiritual Care and expand areas of ministry. We will support aspiring and existing members by providing ordination and endorsement, by developing standards of accountability and by providing continuing education.
Vision
We envision the Bodhiyana Buddhist Chaplain Fellowship as a multi-cultural and expansive Buddhist community dedicated to educate, support, and grow the professional Buddhist chaplains and the field of Buddhist chaplaincy, seeking to provide continuing education to enhance competent Buddhist spiritual care for ourselves and all beings.
Ethical guidelines
1. I take refuge in the Buddha, in Oneness, the awakened nature of all beings.
2. I take refuge in the Dharma, in Diversity, the ocean of wisdom and compassion.
3. I take refuge in the Sangha, in Harmony, the interdependence of all.
4. I undertake the training precept to refrain from taking a life. I will find whatever means possible to protect life.
5. I undertake the training precept to refrain from taking that which is not given.
6. I undertake the training precept to avoid sexual misconduct.
7. I undertake the training precept to avoid harmful speech.
8. I undertake the training precept to refrain from the use of intoxicants that cause carelessness.
9. I undertake the training precept to refrain from unskillful conduct in quest of personal gratification.
10. I undertake the training precept to refrain from excessive behavior or flamboyant exhibition.
11. I undertake the training precept to refrain from brazen or showy body adornment.
12. I undertake the training precept to refrain from pretentious lifestyle or behavior that would demean others.
13. I undertake the training precept to refrain from using the ministry for accumulation of wealth for personal enrichment and use any excess wealth to benefit others.
The above will be executed as follows:
· Ordination of Buddhist Chaplains
· Endorsement of Buddhist Chaplains per Association of Professional Chaplains (APC) guidelines.
· Periodical classes by local and guest teachers.
· Periodical meditation retreats.
· Periodical communal recitation and study of texts/mantras.
· Personalized spiritual counseling sessions.
· Personalized life-cycle ritual services.
· Periodical charitable activities.
Requirements for Membership
a) MDiv or Master’s Degree in a related field, e.g., education, social work, religion, psychology, etc.
b) 1-4 Units of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) preferred.
c) Daily meditation/ritual/mindfulness practice
d) Received Refuge/precept vows from qualified Buddhist Temple
e) Remittance of annual membership dues
f) Submission of annual activity report.
g) Attendance at quarterly retreats and continuing education courses.
h) Prospective chaplaincy students are also welcome upon application review.
i) Members dependent on group consensus and internal review.