(2 credits) This course will explore “ministerial arts” and “pastoral care” in support of Buddhist/spiritual communities, with a particular emphasis on cultivating the inner and outer qualities and resources of skillful community servant leadership. Students will engage in self-assessment for enhanced awareness of our impact on others and increase awareness of how trauma, bias, power and privilege, ethics and so forth impact spiritual communities. This course will introduce theories paired with application in mentored exercises, from studying how a healthy practice environment fosters spiritual formation and growth, to offering and assessing spiritual care conversations, facilitating group practices or support groups, delivering religious education with a pedagogical framework, and writing and delivering a dharma talk.

