Introduce yourself here :)

[exobebout]

MODERATOR EDIT: Reply to this thread if you wish to introduce yourself. Welcome to the forums.

What's up everyone, I'm new to the forum and just wanted to say hey. Hopefully I posted this in the right section!

[Matthew]

Dear Adam,

Welcome. The right section just got invented ... it's there now

As you can see the forums are fairly quiet as the Buddhist Chaplains Support Group is not officially launched until February 6th. There is information about the launch here if you would like to attend and meet others interested in/undertaking Buddhist Chaplaincy work.

Warmly,

Matthew

[SamJenkins]

Hey everyone, what's up? My name is Sam and I'm new here. I'm from Portland, where are you guys from?

[peter_goble]

Hello Rebekka, and may I welcome you too?  Especially as you are from Chicago.  This forum already has a Trans-Atlantic feel to it, although its membership may seem a bit parochial, as the Kalyana Mitra project is currently based in England.  It's linked to the development of Buddhist chaplaincy in UK.  There is already a well-established and vigorous Buddhist prison chaplaincy, and a dedicated Buddhist chaplaincy to the UK armed forces, but in other domains of public life the idea of Buddhist chaplaincy is new and practicalities are emergent.

What's your interest or 'stake' in Buddhist chaplaincy, if any?

By way of personal introduction to you and anyone else on the site, I'm an English man who adopted Buddhism in my mid-40s (I'm now aged 71).  I got involved with the Buddhist Hospice Trust through my profession as a nurse, and I am now chairman on the Trust, an all-volunteer organisation (there is no actual hospice involved).

About three years ago I was invited to join the chaplaincy team of a large general hospital quite near to where I live, as a Buddhist Hospital Chaplain.  Here in UK almost all hospital and health-care provision is run by the Government as a free resource to all citizens who need it, the NHS or National Health Service.  An important part of that provision is hospital care, usually based on very large hospitals offering modern medical care across the whole spectrum of need, sometimes with Regional specialisms.  So, for example, "my" hospital offers specialist Burns & Plastic Surgery treatment and reconstructive surgery.  Many of our service men and women injured in Iraq and Afghanistan are treated there.

The team I joined comprises nine chaplains and a very large number (almost 100) of chaplaincy volunteers, almost all the team is Christian, and I am one of only three non-Christian ministers.  But I am wonderfully supported and affirmed by everyone.  There are in fact very few Buddhist chaplains serving NHS hospitals, although I'm not sure how many exactly.

I will end now as the software seems to want me to, by squeezing the box.  Maybe I wrote too much?

[Matthew]

Hi Rebekka, Peter,

Welcome to the forums.

The Kalyana Mitra or Buddhist Chaplains support Group website is currently under development although at a stage where we have gone live with the new design. I took on the work of designing the site and so far it's going well. If you see any bugs let me know!

With a little hard work, we'll establish a strong community here on the forums of working chaplains and others supporting each other.

Peter .. I'm going to create a new board for descriptions of Chaplaincy groups and such. I wonder if you'd be kind enough to write one for the Buddhist Hospice Trust? Of course you should link to the Trusts website using the link button in the editor (get to the advanced editor by previewing your post to access this).

If you will do this, then you are welcome to email me some photo's. I can upload them and add them in to the text for you, if that would be helpful.

I'll also install an extra modification to the forum encouraged by you .. "extend post box size" .. you weren't out of space but it's annoying to try writing something lengthy and coherent in a small box ... this modification is used on another forum started by myself and a friend called vipassanaforum.net which is a personal practice support forum.

Warmly,

Matthew

[peter_goble]

Thanks, Matthew, I'll be very happy to write a little about the work of the Trust for inclusion in the site.  I'll draft something for you to consider.

As you know the Trust does not include a physical hospice, it's an all-volunteer decentralised operation.  Pictures would therefore have to be 'mug-shots', and I'd have to consult with individuals and groups before submitting anything.  But I'll try to come up with something suitable as 'garnish'.

I do very much welcome the appearance of the forum (and the new Kalyana Mitra web presence) and - like you and the other architects of the initiative - I hope it strengthens alliances and moves individuals and groups forward in the service of others, as you intend it should.

I'll do anything I can (that you want me to) in aid of your efforts.

I shall also visit the vipassana site to have a look around  .

[Dan]

Hi anyone,

my name is Daniele, 30 yers-old, Italian, interested in meditation and Buddhism.
I am based in London but I am going to stay abroad for working for some months.
I have working experience and qualifications as librarian, I was volunteer in a prison library in my homeland.
I have not clear ideas about chaiplancy, but it's seems really interesting. Actually I did't understand what in reality and particular you do...what kind of skills and personal profile do you need for each project? In that way anyone can ponder properly his/her personal partecipation.

Regards

[Matthew]

Hi Dan,

Welcome to the forums. You ask a very good question. Buddhist Chaplaincy is an emerging discipline in some ways but actually is a natural fit with the fruits of Buddhist practice: patience, generosity, compassion, tolerance, equanimity and understanding.

In short, when you become a Chaplain or Volunteer you put your own concerns to one side and be there for the other. That can be listening, advising, talking or helping them grieve - any number of things depending on the circumstances.

There is Chaplaincy work happening in hospitals, schools, prisons, police stations - almost anywhere you can think of.

I'll cut it short there and suggest you ask specific questions in the "Chaplaincy Matters" or "General Discussion" sections where you will get more answers from more people.

This project was launched today so the site will be getting busy over coming days and weeks.

Warmly,

Matthew

[willemien]

Hello, all  Hi Matthew and Peter,

I am on board as well

For all the others

I am Willemien,
Pureland Buddhist (Jodo Shin shu, tree wheels temple , London)

Am member of the Buddhist hospice trust (Is that correct Peter?)

Interested in Chaplaincy and specially psychiatry.
(yes Peter i will respond to your post on psychiatry elsewhere in the forum)

What else, Hi Matthew see you soon

Willemien

[Matthew]

Hi Willemien good to see you signed up. Hope to see you soon. Matthew

[peter_goble]

Am member of the Buddhist hospice trust (Is that correct Peter?)

Oooh, yes!  You're a key supporter and kalyana mitra, Willemien.

Interested in Chaplaincy and specially psychiatry.
(yes Peter i will respond to your post on psychiatry elsewhere in the forum)

We're looking forward to that very much.  There's lots to think about and do, your experience and enthusiasm will be highly valued. 

Peter

[Tony Webster]

My friend and inspiration Peter Goble mentioned Kalyana Mitra in his blog on the Buddhist Hospice Trust website.  Being the inquisitive soul that I am I could not resit a visit.  My interest in Buddhism started many years ago having listened to, and read, works by Alan Watts.  I am not an 'academic' buddhist, just somebody who tries his best each day to offer compassion.

I am a joint founder and present treasurer of Association La Porte Ouverte ('Open Door') an organisation situated in the Poitou-Charentes region of France. We support people of whatever nationality, religious or spiritual conviction, colour or creed, with their long-term illness - whether they are carers, sufferers or bereaved.

The organisation has developed over the past five years into a drop-in facility dealing with all manner of problems (rather like the Citizens Advice Bureau) and to a lending library of English books as well as a centre for social gatherings.  Visit our website at www.opendoor-civray.com if you would like to know more.

'Open Door' started because of the Buddhist Hospice Trust.  An article in their much missed journal 'The Raft' offered a course exploring "Living this year as though it were your last".   The facilitator agreed to come to France and seven of us met with her for three days, and 'Open Door' grew from that meeting.

So my links to Peter and the Buddhist Hospice Trust are strong and I have for many years regarded the Trust as my Sangha.

I am interested in learning more about Buddhist Chaplaincy as I would regard it as an extension of the counselling and active listening that happens at 'Open Door'.  I welcome the existence of Kalyana Mitra and hope to actively support your work in the future.

[Matthew]

Dear Tony,

Welcome onboard. From the sound of your description the "active listening" and counselling you do already with your clientèle is chaplaincy work.

I very much hope as the forums grow you will find help and inspiration - and the chance to contribute to some debates that widen all of our horizons.

Warmly,

Matthew Jee

[speedybright]

Good Morning all, from Alec in Welwyn Garden City, England.  I am a relative newcomer to Buddhism and very much a beginner.  I am a 'child' of Jamyang Buddhist Centre in London and currently studying under the watchful eye of Geshi Tashi Tsering.  I learned of this Buddhist Chaplaincy forum from Jamyang's own website.  I am interested in further study, discussion with likeminded individuals and helping others in whatever modest way I can.

Yours in the Darma,
Alec

[peter_goble]

Alec, would you be interested in attending a 'taster' session of the Buddhist Chaplaincy Support Group (Kalyana Mitra) at the Buddhist Society on 27th July?  If so, please call me on 07951 869265 and we can talk about this.

I would also very much welcome your support for the Buddhist Hospice Trust.  You say you are a newcomer to Buddhism.  We are all beginners in the art of compassion, and start anew every day.

I have spoken at Jamyang fairly recently about the Buddhist Hospice Trust.  Maybe I met you then?

Best wishes and I add my welcome to this forum,

Peter