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Buddhist Ministry Initiative

Sanford Speaking

Video: Refuge in the Storm Webinar Series Part II: Sickness, Aging, and Death: Caring for Life-Cycle Crises

January 1, 2024

This webinar is the second in a series offered by the Buddhist Ministry Initiative at Harvard Divinity School. It featured a panel discussion of contributors to part II of Refuge in the Storm: Buddhist Voices in Crisis Care, edited by Nathan Jishin Michon. The panel included Kin Cheung (George) Lee and Lourdes Argüelles (Lopon Dorje Khandro), and was co-moderated by Rev. Dr. Nathan Jishin Michon and Rev. Dr. Monica Sanford.... Read more about Video: Refuge in the Storm Webinar Series Part II: Sickness, Aging, and Death: Caring for Life-Cycle Crises

Margaret Sanford presenting

Video: Refuge in the Storm Webinar Series, Part I: Buddhist Approaches to Large-Scale and Community Crises

October 6, 2023

This webinar is the first in a series offered by the Buddhist Ministry Initiative at Harvard Divinity School. It featured a panel discussion of contributors to part I of Refuge in the Storm: Buddhist Voices in Crisis Care, edited by Nathan Jishin Michon. The panel included Dr. Victor Gabriel, Chun Fai (Jeffrey) Ng, and Dr. g (Claudelle R. Glasgow, Psy.D., SEP, and will be co-moderated by Rev. Dr. Nathan Jishin Michon and Rev. Dr. Monica Sanford.

... Read more about Video: Refuge in the Storm Webinar Series, Part I: Buddhist Approaches to Large-Scale and Community Crises

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Right Here With You: Buddhist Chaplains’ Inspiring Stories of Spiritual Care

July 25, 2023
Buddhist chaplaincy programs—introductory, nondegree, and degree conferring—are no longer uncommon. One can study Buddhist chaplaincy at the Institute of Buddhist Studies, Union Theological Seminary, Naropa University, Maitripa College, New York Zen Center for Contemplative Care, Harvard Divinity School, Sati Center for Buddhist Studies, Upaya Zen Center, and University of the West. 
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A Young Buddhist College Chaplain Connects with Students and Communities of All Kinds

July 8, 2023
It was during the MDiv program at Harvard and time spent completing field education at Tufts that Priya Rakkhit Sraman, MDiv '17, became interested in working as a college chaplain. “I think that’s when I found meaning and purpose in everything I was doing. Up until that point I was a student; then, for the first time, I was like a teacher sharing the ‘data collection’ I’d been accumulating my whole life.”
Khentrul Rinpoche holding a flower

Video: The Power of Mind: A talk with Khentrul Lodrö T’hayé Rinpoche

June 22, 2023

During an event hosted by the Buddhist Ministry Initiative at Harvard Divinity School, Khentrul Rinpoche, a Non-Sectarian Master of Tibetan Buddhism, spoke about how to harness the potential of mind to transform unwanted conditions into positive circumstances. When we stop our hate of suffering, we learn how to befriend adversity and find strength in the midst of all that we experience. Not only does this transform our own lives, but it gives us the capacity to better serve others. By cultivating greater compassion and reducing oversensitivity we can effectively help others with the challenges that they face.... Read more about Video: The Power of Mind: A talk with Khentrul Lodrö T’hayé Rinpoche

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Training the Next Generation of Buddhist Religious Professionals

November 28, 2022
“The early graduates are now in a position to give back, to share what they’ve learned, and to help shape the next generation to face new challenges. I feel like I’m watching the bud of the lotus emerge from the water and waiting to see what color it will be," said Monica Sanford, assistant dean for multireligious ministry, marking the Buddhist Ministry Initiative's 10th anniversary.
Ven. Mahayaye Vineetha, a Buddhist monk (right), and Sadhak Vandan, a visiting Hindu monastic (left), talk outside of the newly renovated Swartz Hall.

On Containing Multitudes: Multifaith Ministry at HDS

November 3, 2022

"I don't know of any other school that has the multifaith and multivocational approach to ministry studies that we do at HDS. And my personal mission is to tend to this idea of becoming—to serve people who are interested in ethical leadership and help them along their journey to serve others." The Rev. Teddy Hickman-Maynard, AB 'oo, Associate Dean for Ministry Studies

... Read more about On Containing Multitudes: Multifaith Ministry at HDS

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Buddhist Chaplains on the Rise in US, Offering Broad Appeal

May 15, 2022
In a first-of-its-kind report published this month, Monica Sanford, Assistant Dean for Multireligious Ministry, Cheryl Giles, Francis Greenwood Peabody Senior Lecturer on Pastoral Care and Counseling, and a team of authors identified 425 chaplains in the United States, Canada and Mexico representing all major branches of Buddhism, though the researchers say there are likely many more.
His Holiness the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa

Video: His Holiness the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa on Full Ordination for Tibetan Women, moderated by Professor Janet Gyatso

March 26, 2015

His Holiness the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa discusses ordination of Tibetan women with faculty and students of the Buddhist Studies program at HDS. The conversation was moderated by Janet Gyatso, HDS Hershey Professor of Buddhist Studies and Associate Dean for Faculty and Academic Affairs.

March 2017 update: Since his visit to HDS, the Gyalwa Karmapa has taken further steps toward full ordination for Tibetan Buddhist nuns.... Read more about Video: His Holiness the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa on Full Ordination for Tibetan Women, moderated by Professor Janet Gyatso

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