The Budding Role of Chaplaincy in our Spiritual Garden of Pujaris, Sadhus, and Gurus

The religious leaders of Hindu traditions are numerous and multifaceted. To name just three: Pujaris attend to mandirs and pujas; Sadhus renounce the world and lead by example; Gurus are teachers for specialized knowledge and for most, a guide on the ultimate spiritual path. Among these and other people tending the Hindu garden of spiritual care, you will find the humble budding role of chaplaincy.

What started as a Christian position within select institutions has evolved into an opportunity for spiritual care for Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Africana, Humanist, and Hindu communities -- among others. Chaplaincy is thus unique amongst the Hindu spiritual care roles of pujaris, sadhus, and gurus, because chaplaincy was planted by non-Hindu institutions and is not inherently indigenous to the tradition. This fact does not diminish the utility of chaplaincy for Hindu spiritual care but makes its purpose and place in Hindu traditions distinct.

While pujaris, sadhus, and gurus often serve Hindus around the world, chaplains serve only the Hindus of specific institutions. Hospitals, universities, prisons, and army units are some of the institutions where chaplains are often found. Hindu chaplains are needed in these important contexts where spiritual and practical challenges may arise, and pujaris, sadhus, and gurus may not be immediately available. The Hindu chaplain can serve as an immediate resource for Hindu spiritual seekers, often connecting Hindus who are new to the locale of the institution to local Hindu resources.

Hindu chaplains have a unique opportunity to support the spiritual growth of patients, students, prisoners, soldiers, and other individuals during pivotal or difficult experiences. They create spaces for Hindu thought and practice at these institutions as a part of them, where Hindu voices may otherwise be lost.

As an example, take the modern American university. It is not difficult to find instances of a controversial professor speaking in a way that demonizes or eroticizes Hindu history, belief, texts, or practice in American campuses. In such a situation, Hindu students who may already be far from the family tradition and temple experiences they grew up with, may feel added stress, anxiety, and insecurity while attending their classes and interacting with these and other professors. Other students may repeat the comments and criticisms of these misguided professors, further marginalizing and demoralizing Hindu students during one of the most critical times of their intellectual and spiritual development. Hindu chaplains on college or university campuses can change a dispiriting and disempowering environment for Hindu students to one of empowerment by creating a space for Hindu students to support each other, learn, grow, and celebrate festivals within the university or college campus. While pujaris, sadhus, and gurus can have equal and even more impact on students during this time, they are not a part of the very institutions that create these challenges. Thus, Hindu chaplains have the very unique opportunity to work together with other Hindu spiritual leaders to foster the spiritual development of the individuals they serve.

Similarly, there is meaningful help and crucial connections that a chaplain can make when serving in hospitals. Hindu chaplains can provide immediate support to a patient and their loved ones by sitting and praying with the family, chanting with the patient, and connecting the family to local Hindu resources.

In the garden of Hindu spiritual care, the work of spiritual leaders is as considerable as it is divine, and the transplanted role of Hindu chaplaincy adds strength and diversity to an already beautiful garden. Let us all pray for the continued growth of Hindu chaplaincy positions wherever they are needed.

Deepali Kulkarni

Writer, Public Speaker & Educator

Deepali Kulkarni is a Hindu writer, public speaker, and educator who serves in the contexts of Hindu human rights and Hindu practice. Deepali has an MA in Asian Religion from the University of Hawaii, an MSt in Women's Studies from the University of Oxford, and an MPhil in Religion from Syracuse University.