We invite you to build the future with us!
The thriving US Hindu community needs institutions to carry forward the richness of our tradition. Gandhiji said, “Be the change you wish to see” – so let us stop talking and get to work. As you will agree, Hindus are noticeably absent in spiritual care and community services where it matters the most– at hospitals, universities, prisons, and corporations. To address this spiritual care gap we launched the Hindu Spiritual Care Institute- HSCI (hinduci.org) in 2018, and have already achieved significant traction in programs, participation and partnerships.
A First of Its Kind Course – Karma Yoga in Action
HSCI developed and launched Learn to Serve – Counselor of Hindu Tradition (CHT), a unique course for Karma Yogis to serve the community. This graduate certification course, taught by over 40 faculty members, integrates universal practices of Hindu tradition, spiritual care, and modern technologies. HSCI has graduated three cohorts and the 4th cohort, now in process, will be global, welcoming scholars from India, Australia, and South Africa.
Another Significant First – Unique Pathway to “Hindu Chaplaincy”
Our breakthrough achievement has been the recognition of the CHT certificate towards admission to the Interreligious Chaplaincy Program (ICP) at the prestigious Graduate Theological Union (GTU) (gtu.edu) in Berkeley, California. This pathway to Hindu Chaplaincy combines traditional Chaplaincy with the powerful practices of yoga, meditation, Ayurveda, and prayers. We have 20 CHTs already on the Hindu chaplaincy pathway. In the coming years, you will begin to see trained Hindu Chaplains serving in hospitals, colleges, prisons, corporations, the military, and families in need.
Help Us Scale – Support the “Education Fund” for Hindu Spiritual Care
To support HSCI’s ambitious 5-year goal of training 1,000 CHTs and 108 Hindu Chaplains, we have set up an Education Fund where the community and businesses can contribute freely. We aim to initially raise $1.5M toward this strategic Education Fund for operations, accreditation, and limited tuition grants.
Please Donate Generously
HSCI is a 501(c)(3) institution and your contributions are tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by the law. So please:
Company matches are a great way to multiply the impact of your contribution.
Every $1 you contribute to HSCI is leveraged 5X in volunteers’ time and effort. Your donations enable HSCI to scale up the high-quality training programs and help build a network of Hindu Chaplains and volunteers that serve the entire community, regardless of origin, gender, race, or religion in the true sense of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam – the Universal Family. Please contact us at (408) 982-3542 for additional information.
- Donate now at: https://www.hinduci.org/donate.html
- Mail checks to HSCI, 19538 Vineyard Lane, Saratoga, CA 95070
- Contribute through your directed Foundation/Trust.
Company matches are a great way to multiply the impact of your contribution.
Every $1 you contribute to HSCI is leveraged 5X in volunteers’ time and effort. Your donations enable HSCI to scale up the high-quality training programs and help build a network of Hindu Chaplains and volunteers that serve the entire community, regardless of origin, gender, race, or religion in the true sense of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam – the Universal Family. Please contact us at (408) 982-3542 for additional information.
Kailash Joshi, Ph.D., D.Sc.(Hon.), President
on behalf of the HSCI Board and the global HSCI Sangha
on behalf of the HSCI Board and the global HSCI Sangha
PS: HSCI sends the community occasional updates about significant developments. We do not share your email addresses or confidential information. However, If you would like to unsubscribe from our emails, please let us know here.
Enthusiastic Support for Hindu Chaplaincy
Kamal Abu-Shamsieh, Ph.D. Director, Interreligious Chaplaincy
Graduate Theological Union (GTU), Berkeley, CA
The Interreligious Chaplaincy Program (ICP) at the Graduate Theological Union (GTU) welcomes students from all backgrounds, especially minorities, to explore and study in an affirming environment that celebrates diversity and pluralism. To this end, we welcome chaplaincy students from Hindu communities from across the United States and abroad to join us and establish a foundation of spiritual care rooted in Vedic practices of yoga, meditation, Ayurveda, and prayers.
Subhash Kak, Ph.D. Padma Shri
Regents Professor at Oklahoma State University
I support the vision of Hindu Chaplaincy wholeheartedly. It is certainly needed in the United States; it can also serve as a model for other countries to emulate.
Rev. Seifu Anil Singh-Molares Executive Director
Spiritual Directors International
Over the last few years I have watched with admiration as HSCI has developed and evolved a world-class program for Hindu Counselors and Advisors, and now, for Chaplains. This program fills a significant void, allowing the riches of the Hindu tradition to be offered in chaplaincy settings to many individuals who will benefit greatly from them.
Asha C Shipman, Ph.D
Chair, North America Hindu Chaplains Association (NAHCA),
Director of Hindu Life, Yale University
As one of the few full-time Hindu chaplains working in US higher education and the Chair of NAHCA, I have witnessed the tremendous value of our Hindu practices and philosophies towards supporting individual human flourishing. Yet access to culturally appropriate professional education for Hindu spiritual caregivers has been a major stumbling block. We need more Hindu chaplains; their heart-centered spiritual care will help not only individuals but strengthen, inspire and invigorate our communities. The partnership between HSCI and GTU provides an opportunity for such training and I look forward to welcoming graduates as members of NAHCA.
Mihir Meghani, MD, Board Member, and Co-Founder
Hindu American Foundation
American Foundation The Hindu American Foundation (HAF) congratulates the Hindu Spiritual Care Institute (HSCI) for creating a pathway to chaplaincy for aspiring Hindus. HSCI's program will serve the community by offering the mental, spiritual, emotional, and physical benefits of the diverse Hindu traditions in an easily accessible format. We look forward to working with the Hindu Spiritual Care Institute (HSCI) in this immensely important project.
Ashwini Surpur, Executive Director, Yoga Bharati
This is great news for the entire Hindu community. HSCI and GTU Berkeley are doing yeoman service to the community. We sincerely thank you all for bringing the Chaplaincy course to our community. Our wishes and support are with you.
Dilip Amin, Ph.D.
InterfaithShaadi.org and HinduSpeakers.org
People in prisons and hospitals are vulnerable and in dire need of support from Hindu chaplains. Unfortunately, the chaplaincy programs in America are designed for the needs of Abrahamic and thus qualified Hindus don’t get certified. HSCI’s initiative is much needed and timely.
About the HSCI Team
Kailash Joshi
Kailash Joshi is a retired IBM US executive who was also instrumental in IBM’s reentry in India in 1992. He has lived in Silicon Valley where he has enjoyed being a part of both for-profit and non-profit activities. He also mentors entrepreneurs and charitable activities. He is a co-founder of TiE (tie.org), AIF (aif.org) and in India helped introduce the digital equalizer program, 108 emergency management systems, and the Global Institute for IP. Kailash holds a Ph.D. degree in materials science & engineering from Cornell University and was awarded a D. Sc (Hon) degree from Garhwal University in Uttarakhand, India.
Architects of HSCI Programs- Board & Resident Faculty
Kailash Joshi
President and Resident Faculty Member Gaurav Rastogi Dean and Resident Faculty Member Mangala Kumar Resident Faculty member |
Mukund Acharya
Resident Faculty Member and Chair Ananda Corps. Punit Mahendru Resident Faculty Member Naras Bhat Former Dean & Resident Faculty Member |
Hindu Spiritual Care Institute (HSCI) www.hinduci.org
Founded in 2018 in Silicon Valley by a group of professionals with diverse backgrounds and a common interest in the Hindu tradition.
- CA 501(c) (3) institution dedicated to service learning with the office in the Bay Area and classes and services offered online. All HSCI classes and services are open to all, regardless of gender, race, religion, economic status, etc.
- HSCI governance and functions are managed on the footing of a well-run enterprise. Board members serve actively as executives and resident faculty, with the provisions of a rotating Board.
- All management, faculty, and operational leaders serve professionally as volunteers. They are virtually compensated in Karmic currency called Om Dollars.
- Initially funded by founders, their families, and friends. To date, a cash contribution of $1 has been leveraged by 9X of Om Dollar volunteering contributions. With scaling, this leverage will tend towards 5X.