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30 EASTERN HORIZON | FACE TO FACE
What are the groups that you In secular Australia, Buddhism is The first time I saw someone go
serve as a Buddhist chaplain, and quite popular and there are many from suicidal to enjoying life in the
do some groups require more people who are curious about the Dharma. This encouraged me and
support than others? Dharma. When people hear the reinforced my trust that the power
name chaplain they often think of of the Dharma is so transformative.
As a Buddhist chaplain, my work Christianity. Buddhist chaplaincy
is to meet people where they is still quite new in Australia. But Any advice for someone who has
are in their lives, regardless of fortunately, we have infrastructure plans to be a Buddhist chaplain?
whether they are even Buddhist within the Buddhist community
or not. In this work, if we expect and government level that Take the training seriously and after
people to make it easy for us we facilitates this work. you’ve qualified connect with a
will suffer. Instead, I have to meet sangha member or a senior dharma
a range of people one-on-one and What do your regard as the core friend for continued learning and
in groups. Some of their interests skills needed to be an effective support. This is not just for the
might be casual and their stress Buddhist chaplain? important aspect of making sure
comparatively small. Some come that we deliver the Dharma correctly
with a background of intense Deep listening and empathy are the but also for our own spiritual
trauma with a desperate yearning main criteria. In the tradition that development. If we are grounded
for the Dharma. Some are very I have learnt the Dharma in, this is in that way, work in chaplaincy
literate and some barely speak referred to expressly as Bodhichitta will actually be beneficial for one’s
English. Being a chaplain is not which is developed on the basis growth in the Dharma.
being a Guru; instead, we have to of universal loving-kindness and
employ skillful means to provide compassion. Dan Troyak was featured in Tricycle
Dharma support to all kinds of (www.tricycle.org) magazine on
interest and need. In your many years as a Buddhist August 25, 2022 by Pamela Gayle
chaplain, can you share with us a White, a Dharma teacher, and a staff
What are the constraints in situation that gave you the most chaplain at a hospital in central
delivering Buddhist chaplaincy joy? Virginia, USA. EH
services in a non-Buddhist
country like Australia?
