Spiritual Care Services at Hsi Fang Temple
Available by appointment only, Hsi Fang Temple is offering Buddhist spiritual care with Chaplain Angélica.
Hours:
Limited appointments available via Zoom and in person. See below for how to set up an appointment.
Structure:
20 minutes appointment time slot.
Cost:
Spiritual care services are provided by donations to support the temple, and donations can be made through either PayPal or Zelle.
PayPalGivingFunds https://www.paypal.com/us/fundraiser/charity/1595987 or Zelle via sandiego@ibps.org
What to Expect?
Spiritual care focuses on supporting the emotional and spiritual care needs of a person. It is not therapy, nor does it address the mental health needs of an individual.
A spiritual care encounter is only a vessel (like a raft; vehicle) or container that creates an opportunity for the person receiving help to see the root of their own suffering and through the process, use their own capacity to transform that suffering.
For example, in a spiritual care encounter, the spiritual care giver (i.e., a chaplain) can support a person by actively listening, being present, and bearing witness to their situation. Thus, in doing so, the chaplain is able to sound board or reflect back what is being said, while also asking questions that help probe deeper into what is being said and experienced. This process helps the person find deeper meaning and understanding from their present situation. In addition, some components of the process may include ritual, prayer, guided meditation, and/or discussing sacred liturgy.
Who is the Spiritual Care Seeker?
In this context, the care seeker is the person receiving the spiritual support.
However, the person in need of help is not necessarily always asking for help. The help is either offered or requested. For example, in a hospital setting, patients receive visits from interfaith hospital chaplains offering spiritual care support, or the chaplains can be summoned to visit by the patient.
The spiritual care seeker/receiver chooses what to share and where to focus the conversation or the spiritual practice for the spiritual encounter. The spiritual care encounter is about meeting the needs of the care seeker in a spiritual way that best serves them.
Who is the Spiritual Care Giver?
The Spiritual Care Giver in this context is the person giving the spiritual support (i.e., chaplain or a monastic at your temple). More specifically, the term refers to someone with the professional or monastic training to serve as a spiritual care giver.
The care giver does not give you advice or tell you what to do, but simply holds a spiritual space for you. A care giver is also not there to save or fix the care seeker’s situation but instead to bear witness and provide spiritual support.
A Buddhist spiritual care giver also acts in the role of a spiritual friend (kalyanamitra). In this role, the spiritual friend aims to be mindfully present, witness with empathy and compassion while standing by your side in the mud of shared suffering until the suffering becomes easier to bear together, and the lotus flower of relief is able to sprout (become present).
Get to Know Chaplain Angélica…
Chaplain Angélica, MDiv., completed her Buddhist Chaplaincy master’s degree at the University of the West, in May of 2023. As well as completing two units of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) in 2022, first unit at PIH-Good Samaritan Hospital, and the second at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. Reverend Angélica has been accepted to serve as a Hospital Resident Chaplain for the 2024-2025 CPE Residency program at San Diego Veterans Affairs (VA) starting late-August, 2024.
Her spiritual background includes being raised with a Catholic faith while growing up in Mexico. In May of 2013, Chaplain Angélica officially joined Hsi Fang Temple when taking Triple Gem Refuge under the Fo Guang Shan (FGS) Buddhist order. Since then, she has participated in various FGS short- and long-term retreats; attended trainings and events; lead and co-lead Buddhism and meditation classes; and has collaborated in both the planning and facilitation of some of the FGS North America Dharma Teachers’ training retreats held between 2018-2023.
She currently is serving as a temple volunteer, Dharma teacher, and leading meditation practices. Reverend Angélica became a lay ordained clergy (Buddhist Minister) under the Bodhiyana Buddhist Chaplain Fellowship (BBCF) in May, 2023.
Pronouns are she/her/ella. You may address her using either chaplain or reverend.
Interested in Setting up an Appointment?
To inquire about setting up a spiritual care encounter, please email Chaplain Angélica at angelica@ibps.org.
After your email inquiry is received, an email will be sent to include links to the:
- Appointment Scheduling Calendar
- A Google Form to complete before your spiritual care encounter appointment
Ultimately, you are not alone. You have the buddha nature within you and the Dharma to guide you. As well, there are many capable and trained people willing to help you! You just need to rely on yourself and rely on the Dharma to find the right help for you.
Curious to learn more about Buddhist Chaplaincy?
To learn more about Buddhist Chaplains, below is a short list of links with more information:
https://www.lionsroar.com/buddhist-chaplain-stories
https://www.voanews.com/a/buddhist-chaplains-on-rise-in-us-offering-broad-appeal/6574454.html
