CHAPLAINCY TRAINING

The Buddhist Council of NSW has teamed together with Rozelle CPE Centre to provide our prospective chaplains with the basic Clinical Pastoral Education course.

The basic CPE course is the minimum required training for chaplains wishing to work in certain hospitals (e.g. Westmead) in NSW and is recommended for any new chaplain joining our Chaplaincy Program, whether for hospitals or for prisons.  You don't have to do the training.  If you want to do this introductory training, you can also enrol in similar courses elsewhere, although this is the only Introductory CPE course conducted specifically for Buddhist chaplains.

It is carried out over 40 hours and has been devised to:

1. allow the participants to learn from their own supervised encounters with people in a variety of pastoral situations, which raise questions of ultimate concern
2. provide the opportunity for personal growth through reflecting on the way the participants are performing their ministry. 
3. encourage professional competence by improving the effectiveness of functioning as a team member. 
4. build pastoral identity, as participants reflect on their own spiritual journey, while accompanying others on theirs. 
5. develop participants ability to assess specific concerns arising from differences of cultural, spiritual, ethical, socioeconomic, psychological and emotional backgrounds.

To attend the Basic CPE course, complete the application form (download below) and submit it along with the course fee to the Buddhist Council of NSW.  The cost of the 40 hour course is $100 per participant, which is payable with the application form.

The first course during July/August 2007 was a big successis.  Here are some participants comments who finished the first CPE course. 

“A learning experience and a spiritual excursion not to be missed” 

"Absolutely essential knowledge for everyone.  I hope all can experience this course and become more empowered and compassionate” 

“I have learned a lot about the techniques and ways to help others in trouble” 

“A great introduction to Buddhist chaplaincy for people who have no experience in health care sector but are considering pastoral service in this area” 

“This course has been very useful to me.  It helps me to develop kindness for others” 

“With the chaplaincy training, I would be in a position to help another person in need spiritually, and in turn this would give me much satisfaction” 

The course is endorsed by the College of Clinical Pastoral Education and provides credit points towards higher studies in chaplaincy.