Our Story
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Founded in 2018 in the San Francisco Bay Area, Hindu Spiritual Care Institute (HSCI) is the first-of-its-kind service-learning institution designed for the global Hindu diaspora.
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HSCI is a California non-profit 501(c)(3) founded by professionals driven by a need to develop much-needed community service solutions. HSCI provides a strong platform for training and universal community service founded on Hindu tradition and wisdom.
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The founding group recognized that the highly accomplished and affluent global Hindu diaspora community also needs institutions to train Hindu Counselors and Hindu Chaplains, as well as to pass on to the future generations the spirit of giving back to the community. The founding principle for HSCI is one of “by the community, for the community.
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Mission and Vision
HSCI Vision:
Rooted in the values of the Hindu tradition, HSCI aspires to establish:
To build and operate a volunteer-run institution that:
Rooted in the values of the Hindu tradition, HSCI aspires to establish:
- A system for Hindu spiritual care as a shared asset (loka samgraha)
- A Learn-Serve model for the global family (vasudhaiva kutumbakam)
- An institution that is run with excellence (karma yoga)
To build and operate a volunteer-run institution that:
- Runs an effective system for volunteerism (Om Dollars)
- Provides education and training in Hindu and interreligious spiritual care
- Puts the Hindu tradition to work in improving the quality of life for all
- Develops and sustains leadership for future generations
- Brings entrepreneurship and technological innovations to spiritual care
Values and Beliefs
HSCI’s Foundational Beliefs:
- Hindu tradition: The rich Hindu tradition needs to be nurtured and its sweetness made available to future generations. Tradition is a use-it or lose-it proposition
- Society and Spiritual Care: A well-functioning society must provide “emotional air-conditioning” through compassionate mutual support (dharayati iti dharma). Spiritual Care can be an effective vehicle for uniting humanity
- Institutions: Only lasting institutions can maintain a sustained impact. Institutions must rise above individual interests and identity
- Service: Service to others is an essential human act. Under the right conditions, most humans will exercise their latent desire and capacity to serve. Everyone can learn to serve
- Collaboration: The open sharing of best practices and knowledge improves harmony among various traditions
HSCI Program Offerings
HSCI offers innovative and critically needed community services programs.
Training of Hindu Counselor and Hindu Chaplains
Open to all, HSCI’s Counselor of Hindu Tradition (CHT) 9-month weekend course is the flagship program. It prepares individuals for 1) volunteer service to their communities and 2) qualified post-graduate degree holders for admission to the Interreligious Chaplaincy Program (ICP) at the prestigious theological university GTU (www.gtu.edu). It should be noted that this is the first clear pathway for a Hindu to attain chaplaincy credentials. Vertical Divider
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Free Dial-in Volunteer Services
Available to all, HSCI’s trained volunteers offer free phone guidance on matters relating to Hindu tradition for life events (such as the passage of life, last rites, celebrations), and non-obligatory referrals in areas of wellness such as elder care, yoga, meditation, and nutrition. Vertical Divider
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Free Yoga and Meditation Classes
HSCI offers several daily free programs online for yoga and meditation with popular teachers from around the world. We also have an active 60+ virtual forum. Our distinguished panel of mentors and SMEs are available to answer your questions. Vertical Divider
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