Meet the Hindu Chaplaincy Fellowship Recipients
HSCI Board & Resident Faculty |
Pathway-108 Guest And Visiting Faculty |
HSCI Functional Leaders |
HSCI Pathway-108 will facilitate the induction of the first 108 Hindu Chaplains into service by 2025.
Hindu Chaplains will blend contemporary spiritual care with the Hindu practices of yoga, meditation, Ayurveda, and prayers. They will provide critically needed care at hospitals, universities, the army, prisons, corporations, and homes. This interfaith participation will elevate the mainstreaming of the Hindu tradition and spiritual care practices in the United States.
Hindu Chaplains will blend contemporary spiritual care with the Hindu practices of yoga, meditation, Ayurveda, and prayers. They will provide critically needed care at hospitals, universities, the army, prisons, corporations, and homes. This interfaith participation will elevate the mainstreaming of the Hindu tradition and spiritual care practices in the United States.
Chronology of HSCI and the Pathway-108 Program
Year |
Activity |
2013-2018 |
Community discussions and brainstorming about the needs of the future generations of the Diaspora Hindus. |
2018 |
Launch of HSCI in the Bay Area to institutionalize the learning and practice of community service (Karma Yoga). |
The Counselor of Hindu Tradition (CHT) course developed and Launched. |
|
2019 |
First CHT class of 20 CHT’s graduates. Second class started. |
Concept of Volunteer Service (VS) introduced. A dial in service on matters of Hindu tradition and quality of life. |
|
2020 |
Second class of 26 CHT’s graduates. Third class started. |
VS services formally introduced with last rites and celebrations. |
|
Daily classes in yoga and meditation introduced for the Pandemic era (completed 2,400 Classes with 60,000 seats. |
|
2021 |
Recognition of CHT certificate as enabler of admission to GTU’s Interreligious Chaplaincy (ICP) course. GTU www.gtu.edu is the world's foremost theological university at Berkeley, CA. Interreligious Chaplaincy Program (ICP) at GTU began in 2020. Candidates must have Master’s or Doctoral degree. |
HSCI announces Pathway-108 Program (Support 108 scholars to complete the ICP course by 2025) Mentoring Scholarship fund Placement upon completion of ICP |
|
HSCI invites 20+ organizations to endorse and support Pathway-108 |
|
Ahead |
HSCI announces Virtual Compassionate Presence (VCP) on-call volunteer services - May TBC |
New fund raising campaign (all avenues) May- August |
|
Admission for CHT Course-5 - Starting June |
|
Graduation of 22 scholar CHT Class -3 August |
|
First group of 5-6 CHT begin ICP course 2 GTU August |
|
Phase-in of Ananda Corps (supersedes Volunteer Services) 4Q TBC |
Profiles of the First 11 CHT’s
Recommended by HSCI Board for the ICP Course
Serial No |
CHT Certificate Year |
Highest Degree |
Background Experience** |
Gender |
Age-Range |
1 |
2020 |
Masters |
High |
Male |
45-65 years |
2 |
2021 |
PhD |
Medium |
Male |
65+ years |
3 |
2019 |
Masters |
Medium |
Female |
45-65 years |
4 |
2020 |
Masters |
Medium |
Female |
65+ years |
5 |
2021 |
Masters |
Medium |
Female |
45-65 years |
6 |
2020 |
Masters |
Medium |
Female |
25-45 years |
7 |
2020 |
Masters |
High |
Male |
45-65 years |
8 |
2020 |
PhD |
High |
Male |
45-65 years |
9 |
2021 |
Masters |
Medium |
Female |
45-65 years |
10 |
2020 |
Masters |
High |
Female |
65+ years |
11 |
2020 |
Masters |
Medium |
Female |
45-65 years |
** Background Experience = Bhagavad Gita, yoga, meditation and community service
Endorsements for HSCI's Pathway-108
Kamal Abu-Shamsieh, PhD, Director, Interreligious Chaplaincy
Assistant Professor of Practical Theology, Graduate Theological Union
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.
Assistant Professor of Practical Theology, Graduate Theological Union
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, PhD, Padma Shri, Regents Professor at OK State
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.
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.
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, PhD,
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.
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
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.
Board Member and Co-Founder, Hindu 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 a 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 is with you.
This is a 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 is with you.
Dilip Amin, PhD, 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 well needed and timely.
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 well needed and timely.
