Sati Center for Buddhist Studies
PO Box 2021, Santa Cruz, CA  95063-2021
sati.org = karuna@sati.org = 415.646.0530
 

Buddhist Chaplaincy Training Program

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I apply for the next training?

You can access the application forms on our web site or request an application by calling us or e-mailing us.  Be sure to leave your name, address, phone number, e-mail address, and fax number (if you have one).  An application will be sent to you, which you can mail to Sati Center upon completion. There is an application fee of $25.

How do I enroll in the training?

First, Chaplaincy Program  instructors screen all applicants.  After returning a completed application, you will be notified by program staff and told whether or not you will be scheduled for an in-person interview.  Acceptance into the program is based on your application and interview.  In-person interviews are scheduled beginning approximately 8 weeks ahead of the first session in September.  Phone interviews may be conducted for long-distance applicants.

What if I am not a Buddhist?

In addition to practitioners from all streams of Buddhism, the Sati Center considers applications from individuals of various faiths who have a meditation practice and who share our commitment of bringing together spiritual insight and social action.

When are the trainings held?

They are scheduled for one Friday per month, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Listed below are the dates for the next training. Please note that attendance at all sessions is required.

Scheduled Dates 2006-7

 
Where does the training take place?

At Insight Meditation Center, 1205 Hopkins Street, Redwood City, CA, located 30 miles south of San Francisco and a 20-minute drive from San Francisco International Airport.

How much does the training cost?

There is a tuition fee of $1350 to defray costs of this training.  In cases of financial hardship, payment plans can be arranged upon request.  You may also want to explore the option of having either an organization or friends and family sponsor you.  A limited number of scholarships may be available.

What is the participant commitment?

Participants commit to attending eleven one-day sessions, completing 100 hours of volunteer chaplaincy, attending monthly support groups, visiting various religious centers, completing reading reports and written reflection essays, and consulting with a trainer 6 times over the course of the training.

Where do I do my volunteer chaplaincy?

Participants may serve at hospitals, hospices, correctional facilities, or other organizations. Sati Center will provide a limited number of leads, but will not place participants at certain locations per se.  Participants are responsible for obtaining a position.

Do I need to have chaplaincy experience?

No.  This is an introductory training program.  Each of us has the capacity to embrace the suffering of another person and the ability to provide compassionate care to another.

Will this training qualify me for a full-time job as a chaplain?

No.  Professional chaplains are trained and credentialed by several organizations, and most employers require this credential.  This training, however, can serve as preparation and discernment for people considering a career in professional chaplaincy.  For more information about professional chaplaincy, contact the Association of Professional Chaplains at www.professionalchaplains.org and the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education, Inc. at www.acpe.net.

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