Vow 22: Buddhist Theology Training for Ministry & Chaplaincy
An outline of the Vow 22 Programme. Enquiries should be addressed to courses@amidatrust.com. For details, including Application Form, click "continuation" link below. Thank you. Already registered?.... Go directly to Minman the course programme site.
This programme is called "Vow 22" after the 22nd vow of Dharmakara Bodhisattva in the Larger Pureland Sutra, the vow which establishes the bodhisattva path as a core element of Pureland Buddhism. We conceive Buddhist ministry to be equivalent to following the bodhisattva way since to minister is to serve the spiritual needs of others.
Suitability
The programme is designed for those seeking a formation in ministry and chaplaincy within the Pureland tradition. It is taken by students some of whom are seeking ordination and some who want a comprehensive and systematic education in Buddhism from a consistent standpoint.
Orientation
The Vow 22 programme is offered from the perspective of Amida-shu, a Pureland denomination. The programme originated in the need to prepare Amida-shu members to take on pastoral, liturgical, sangha leadership and socially engaged activities. This remains a major function of the programme, though it is recognised that by no means everybody who joins the programme will seek ordination in the Amida Order. Joining this programme one becomes part of a group of students dedicated to Pureland studies and Pureland ministry. On the one hand, this makes the programme an exciting experience. At the same time, please do not join the programme if this is not likely to suit you.
Style of Learning
Trainees either study by attending or living at The Buddhist House where most relevant teachings take place or study by distance learning. Both groups of trainees have access to the distance materials. When one joins the Vow 22 Programme one obtains access to resources developed by trainees and staff up to that point stored on a dedicated web site. This includes a wealth of audio files of lectures together with supporting notes and essays, discussion points and assignments. Trainees are also subscribed to an e-list that reaches all those on the programme and important discussions and communications take place through this medium. The databank of materials is constantly expanding. Each summer there is a summer school at Amida France running concurrently with Dharmavidya's Teaching Retreat in July and those who attend generally find this an extremely valuable element in the programme.
Structure and Syllabus
Year One of the programme has 40 study units covering six core topics:
Introduction to Buddhist Theology
Sutra Study
Characteristics of the Amida-shu
Ancestors of the Pureland Tradition
Chaplaincy and Pastoral Care
Contemplation and Worship
Study is by distance learning via the internet plus a ten day attendance requirement. Although this is called Year One, there is at present no time limit on completion and we find that different students progress at different rates to suit their circumstances.
Years Two and Three are under preparation and are likely to include
Buddhist Theology
Ethics and the Religious Life
Chaplaincy and Pastoral Facilitation
History of the Pureland Tradition
Liturgy and Rites
Leadership and Sangha Building
Doctrine and Controversy
Organisation and Communication
Sutra Study
Practical Organisation of Ministry
Many paticipants also partake of elements of the programme in Buddhist psychology that also runs at The Buddhist House, and thus acquire skills in counselling, therapy, groupwork and teambuilding.
Entry Requirements
As the course is offered from a Pureland perspective candidates should have some background in this approach. The course is offered at a post-graduate standard and applicants need to demonstrate that they can work at this level. Generally, applicants will be people who are already engaged in some form of ministry, chaplaincy, or socially engaged religious activity. The course has accepted ministers of non-Buddhist religions as well as persons with substantial Buddhist experience.
Cost
When this course was first launched we did not charge for it. When it had been running 18 months we surveyed participants and found general agreement that the programme should contribute financially to the work of Amida Trust. We now, therefore, suggest a contribution of £225 or US$445 for the Year One programme.
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