The Buddhist Campus Chaplaincy Sourcebook

Ji Hyang Padma & Jonathan Makransky, editors

with contributions from

Harrison Blum, Julian Bowers-Brown, Eli Ryn Brown, Lama Döndrup Drölma, Zoketsu Norman Fischer, Victor Gabriel, Rev. Jitsujo T. Gauthier, Roshi Joan Halifax, Rev. Victor Kazanjian, Jr., Jonathan Makransky, Rev. Ivan (Kusa) Mayerhofer, Nathan Jishin Michon, Ernest C.H. Ng, Rebecca D. Nie, Ji Hyang Padma, Henry C.H. Shiu, Ven. Priya Rakkhit Sraman,  Jessica Thomas, Mark Unno, & Matthew Weiner

ISBN 978-1-998248-07-0 / Paperback, 8x10 inches / 236 pages / includes bibliographic resources / Available March 20, 2025 

The Buddhist Chaplaincy Sourcebook presents research, analysis, case studies, and additional resources for the professional practice of Buddhist spiritual care focussed on students and colleagues in post-secondary educational institutions.

The college and university years have traditionally been a time of transformation for young people: meaning-making; finding one’s community; building life, work and relationship skills; and metamorphosis from a child to an adult.

Today, the post-secondary journey has been further complicated by climate anxiety, geopolitical uncertainty, the changing role of the academy in society, financial and legal pressures on educational institutions, and more.

Responding, a growing number of Buddhist teachers have embraced spiritual care beyond their traditional Sangha roles, to bring the wisdom and compassion of the Dharma to civil society as chaplains in education, healthcare, prisons, and the military.

Sumeru is deeply grateful to participate in bringing forth this pioneering anthology of resources created by some of these thought-leaders in the field of Buddhist spiritual care, specifically in the field of education. We hope it will be of value, not just to chaplains, but to all Buddhist community leaders who seek to enhance their pastoral care skills.

CONTENTS

PART I: PRACTICES OF PRESENCE

1. Compassion is Not a Luxury, Joan Halifax
2. Ministry of Presence: Wandering and Street Retreats, Jitsujo T. Gauthier
3. Stand Like a Tree, Relax Like a Flower, Julian Bowers-Brown
4. Buddhist Meal Prayer: Offering to the Three Jewels, Lama Döndrup Drölma
5. One Heart Grace, Zoketsu Norman Fischer
6. Stone Fruit: An Invocation, Eli Brown

PART II: SPIRITUAL CARE MODELS

1. Nurturing a Culture of Spiritual Friendship and Intentional Community, Ven. Priya Rakkhit Sraman
2. Traditional Buddhist Healing as Spiritual Care Model, Ji Hyang Padma
3. Chaplain Formation for Buddhist College Chaplaincy, Ernest C.H. Ng
4. What is Self-Care for Buddhist College and University Chaplains? Jonathan Makransky
5. Towards a Multi-faith Community at Wellesley College, Rev. Victor Kazanjian
6. Buddhist Ceremonies for Higher Education and Related Considerations, Rebecca Nie

PART III: UNIVERSITY SYSTEMS

1. How to Survive Your Promising Life: A Baccalaureate Address, Zoketsu Norman Fischer
2. Hidden Chaplains: A project for Buddhist seeing and reflection, Matthew Weiner
3. Canadian University Chaplaincy: A closer look at the distinctive role of Buddhist chaplains, Henry C.H. Shiu
4. “Buddhism is a Whole Life Practice!” Building relationships with Asian and Asian heritage Buddhist communities to work against Neo-Orientalist tendencies in Buddhist Chaplaincy, Rev. Ivan (Kusa) Mayerhofer
5. Managing and Transforming Conflict, Nathan Jishin Michon

PART IV: UPAYA

1. Queer Buddhist Prayers, Victor Gabriel
2. Sangha Synergies: Dance and prayer as Dharma modalities, Harrison Blum
3. Buddhism and the Calling of No-Calling, Mark Unno
4. A Contemplative Approach to Family Systems, Jessica Thomas