CHT Curriculum - Hindu Spiritual Care Institute

The CHT course consists of six Mandalas covering 72 units and 200 total hours over nine months. Each Mandala is organized in three Upamandalas (sub-modules).

6
Mandalas

18
Upamandalas

72
Units

200
Hours

9
Months

Oct — Dec

Foundation of Hindu Tradition and Chaplaincy in the Diaspora

Principal Faculty: Kailash Joshi, PhD, DSc(Hon)

Grounds scholars in HSCI's vision of lokasangraha (service for the greater good) and the evolving realities of the global Hindu diaspora. Connects institutional mission, personal transformation, and the modernization of tradition in the context of spiritual care.

1-A: Orientation to Hindu Spiritual Care

HSCI history, vision, scholar expectations, community profile, course orientation

1-B: Hindu Philosophy and Practices

Hindu civilization, saṃskāra-s, Vedic rites, Bhagavad Gita as actionable philosophy

1-C: Spiritual Care Foundation

Six Box model, TrayaCare onboarding, career pathways, contemporary chaplaincy models

Dec — Jan

Hindu Spiritual Care and the Bhagavad Gita

Principal Faculty: Gaurav Rastogi, BE, MBA, ERYT-500

Guides scholars into direct engagement with the Hindu scriptural tradition — especially the Bhagavad Gita — as a foundation for self-understanding, resilience, and compassionate service. Examines dharma, karma, saṃskāra-s, and frameworks such as tāpatraya for addressing suffering.

2-A: Hindu Foundations

Core doctrines, Dharmic vs. Abrahamic paradigms, tāpatraya, interfaith spirit

2-B: Karma Yoga

Philosophy of selfless service, non-attachment, global models of care

2-C: Bhagavad Gita — Text to Practice

Meditation, flow, ānanda, case analysis in contemporary chaplaincy

Jan — Mar

Counseling, Spiritual Care, and Chaplaincy with a Hindu Lens

Principal Faculty: Faculty Panel

Deepens understanding of spiritual care as professional practice, exploring clinical, ethical, and relational dimensions through a Hindu framework. Examines grief, loss, and end-of-life care while building skills in compassionate presence and chaplaincy protocol.

3-A: Spiritual Care Foundations

Scope of spiritual care, primary domains, evidence-based approaches

3-B: Grief, Loss, and Ethics

Navigating grief, ethical dilemmas, cultural sensitivity in care settings

3-C: Compassionate Presence

Active listening, holding silence, the Architecture in Time protocol

Mar — Apr

Hindu Rites and Spiritual Care for Life Events

Principal Faculty: Faculty Panel

Explores the full arc of Hindu life-cycle rituals — from naming ceremonies and sacred thread investiture to marriage, aging, death, and memorial rites. Scholars learn to serve as spiritual companions through every stage of life.

4-A: Hindu Rites of Early Life

Naming, upanayana, marriage preparation, coming-of-age rituals

4-B: Illness, Aging, End-of-Life

Hospital visits, palliative care, death as transformation (BG 2.13-2.28)

4-C: Healing and Transformation

Cremation, memorial rites, grief support, continuity of the Self

Apr — Jun

Hindu Spiritual Care for Householders and Professionals

Principal Faculty: Faculty Panel

Addresses the everyday spiritual needs of Hindu families and working professionals. Draws on the Purusharthas (four aims of life) and ashrama dharma as frameworks for holistic wellbeing, work-life balance, and community engagement.

5-A: Family Harmony

Intergenerational dynamics, relationship counseling, parenting guidance

5-B: Career Fulfillment

Stress, burnout, job satisfaction, the yogic perspective on professional life

5-C: Community Interactions

Community service, interfaith engagement, temple and organizational leadership

Jun — Jul

Preparing for Chaplaincy and Spiritual Care Service

Principal Faculty: Faculty Panel

The culminating module prepares scholars for the transition from study to active service. Covers self-assessment, professional readiness, practical chaplaincy skills, and the development of a personal service plan for ongoing seva.