Sati Center for Buddhist StudiesSupporting the study of Buddhist teachingsBuddhist Chaplaincy Training Program - Frequently Asked Questions |
How do I apply for the next training?
You can access the application forms on our web site (in PDF
format) 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 cceptance 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 2007-8
Fridays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
| September 21 October 19 November 16 December 14 January 18 February 8 |
March 14 April 11 May 9 June 13 July 18 |
Where does the training take place?
At Insight
Meditation Center, 108 Birch Street, Redwood City, CA, located 30 miles
south of San Francisco and a 20-minute drive from San Francisco
A Buddhist Chaplaincy training program modeled on the Sati Center program is now being offered in New York City. For information see www.zencare.org.
How much does the training cost?
There is a tuition fee of $1350 (2007-8) 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.
Can I get academic credit?
Yes, is possible to receive graduate credits for the chaplaincy
training program through the Institute for Buddhist Studies in Berkeley
(www.shin-ibs.edu).