Centre of Buddhist Studies, The University of Hong Kong
HKU Centre of Buddhist Studies 20th Anniversary Series
Lecture & Workshop on
Buddhist Chaplaincy
Dr. Amelia Hall
DPhil in Tibetan and Himalayan Studies, Oxford
Program Chair, Department of Wisdom Traditions, Naropa University
Amelia Hall gained her doctorate in Tibetan and Himalayan Studies from the University of Oxford, in 2012. She has taught and developed courses on Buddhism at Central Michigan University and Antioch University (Buddhist Studies Abroad Program). She is currently an Assistant Professor of Buddhism and Department Chair in the Wisdom Traditions department at Naropa University. She teaches across several different degree programs at Naropa including BA Religious Studies, MA Yoga Studies, MA Contemplative Religions, and Master of Divinity. Her current research and translation work considers ritual texts in klu ’bum collections, exploring the impact of traditional ecological knowledge on perceptions of climate change and landscape transformation in the Himalayas. Amelia’s recent publications include: “Embodying the Diamond Sow: Tantric Pilgrims in a Secret Lotus Land,” Body Trouble: Religious Boundaries for Sex, Gender and Corporeality (2018); “Gter ston: Tibetan Buddhist Treasure Revealers,” Brill’s Encyclopedia of Buddhism (2020); “How is this Sacred Place Arrayed? Pacification, Increase, Magnetism, and Wrath in the Establishment of an Eastern Himalayan sbas yul,” Hidden Lands in Himalayan Myth and History: Transformations of sBas Yul Through Time (2020). Amelia is currently working on a book on the Four Noble Truths, forthcoming from Shambhala Publications.
Lecture
Mastering Divinity: Cultivating the Qualities of a Buddhist Chaplain, An Introduction
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.
Time: 7-9 pm | 24 March 2023 (Fri)
Venue: KKLG109, LG/F, K.K. Leung Building, HKU
Free admission | First come first served | Online registration required
2-Day Workshop
Adopting the Spirit of Awakening in Buddhist Spiritual Care: A Weekend Workshop
Time: 9:45 am – 6:00 pm | 25 & 26 March 2023 (Sat & Sun)
Venue: Convocation Room (Rm 218), 2/F, Main Building, HKU
No. of participants*: 50 (pre-registration is required)
Registration fee: HK$260 (non-refundable)
* Places are allocated on a first-come-first-served basis and while stocks last. Successful registrants will be notified of the payment method of the registration fee.
Participants who have completed the two-day workshop will receive a certificate of attendance issued by HKU Centre of Buddhist Studies.
Workshop schedule
Sun & Sat | Mar 25 & 26, 2023
9:45 am – 10:00 am Registration
10:00 am – 10:30 am Guided Seated and Walking Meditation
11:00 am – 12:00 pm Lecture/ Instructional Talk
Break
12:15 pm – 1:00 pm Experiential Self Reflection Exercise/ Discussion
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm Lunch break (lunch is not included)
3:00 pm – 3:30 pm Guided Seated and Walking Meditation
4:00 pm – 5:00 pm Lecture/ Instructional Talk
Break
5:15 pm – 6:00 pm Experiential Self Reflection Exercise/ Discussion
While ministry, chaplaincy, and divinity training in Christian traditions have a long history, the field in other spiritual traditions is relatively new. What specific Buddhist frameworks are employed? Buddhist spiritual care training emphasizes an in-depth understanding of contemplative Buddhist teachings in historical and present-day contexts and instruction in Buddhist practice as a foundation for compassionate and wise spiritual caregiving. What key ‘theological’ teachings and concepts provide models for chaplains and spiritual caregivers? Drawing on the profound Mahayana tradition of the Bodhisattva, this workshop explores how to cultivate meditative practice and insight, a compassionate presence, and a capacity to respond to crises with equanimity. Examining and contemplating key excepts from Śāntideva’s Bodhicaryāvatāra, The Path of the Bodhisattva, this workshop applies classic Buddhist teachings to the development of core spiritual care competencies and training. Participants can expect a contemplative environment, exploring Buddhist scripture through introductory lectures, guided meditation, small break-out discussion groups, and experiential self-reflection exercises.
