BUDDHIST CHAPLAINCY SERVICES
go to Buddhist Chaplains DIRECTORY Listing
go to Website for QSA Buddhist Chaplains
Who is a Buddhist Chaplain?
A Buddhist Chaplain is an ordained or trained layperson who practises Buddhism through service pathway of helping and supporting others, in Buddhist and non-Buddhist communities.
What are the services of Buddhist Chaplaincy?
The work of Buddhist Chaplains is wide-ranging and includes:
- instructing about Buddhism
- teaching meditation and mindfulness
- running Buddhist centres and groups
- supporting people facing life difficulties or in distress
- caring for the physical needs of others (eg preparing food, caring for children, the sick and elderly)
- supporting communities in need, eg in times of natural disaster
Where do Buddhist Chaplains serve?
Buddhist Chaplains work independently or within an organization as part of pastoral care teams in hospitals, hospices, prisons, military, universities, schools, workplaces, aged care facilities, homes of individuals, etc. QSA Buddhist Chaplains are mainly volunteers who offer free assistance without charge, while a few are in paid employment by organizations.
How can I get in touch with a QSA Buddhist Chaplain?
To find a Buddhist Chaplain, please click the Directory link below:
- QSA Buddhist Chaplains DIRECTORY LISTING
- or Email us your request at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- or Phone +61 07-3278 9021
How do I train to be a registered QSA Buddhist Chaplain?
Step-1: Buddhist Chaplaincy Training
The QSA offers training for Buddhist Chaplains via its long-running Introduction to Buddhist Chaplaincy Course*. This basic course is a 20-hours program conducted over 5 weeks, with practical exercises and a final exam. Workload including assignments and readings may total approximately 100 hours.
Topics include:
- Buddhist approaches to helping and serving others
- basic counselling skills (listening & communication)
- suicide prevention, common mental health conditions
- assessing needs and how to refer clients to health professionals
- common harms seen in the community, including child abuse, domestic violence, harassment, etc and how to address these
- diversity of Buddhist communities
- self-care for chaplains.
Course Person-in-charge: Dr Barbara Sullivan, Course Convenor and Lecturer
*Note: QSA Intro course is NOT a professional qualification. It provides basic training for people who are volunteers in the community. Those interested in professional chaplaincy training are advised to explore:
- for School Chaplains - Cert IV in Pastoral Care, Youth Work or Chaplaincy. See info.
- for Hospital or Prison Chaplains - Clinical Pastoral Education, eg QICPE.
There are also various Chaplaincy university courses and postgraduate courses at Nan Tien Institute of Higher Education.
Step-2: Application for Registration as a QSA Buddhist Chaplain
Completion of QSA’s introductory course is a pre-requisite to be a registered QSA Buddhist Chaplain. Applicants who have professional qualifications (eg in counselling or psychology), training or experience relevant to chaplaincy may be waived.
The 5 requirements/criteria to be met are : (1) Qualification, (2) Referee, (3) Volunteering, (4) Agreement, (5) Blue Card registered & linked. Successful applicants will be issued a certificate of registration. Details can be browsed by clicking on Application Form link below:
Online REGISTRATION APPLICATION FORM.
Registration Person-in-charge: Tamara Tiffin, Registrar
What are QSA’s ethical policies and observances?
Please read by clicking on links here:
All queries, please contact:
- Chairperson, BCSB
- email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- tel: +61 07-32789021