A Proposed Foundation for Buddhist Chaplaincy: a provisional investigation of the threefold purity (trimaṇḍalapariśuddha) in relation to the chaplaincy role and the personal experiences of a novice Buddhist chaplain

Abstract

The thesis proposes, through empirical and autoethnographic explorations, how the practice of Buddhist chaplaincy may be given a theoretical footing in Mahayana Buddhist philosophy through the concept of “threefold purity” (trimaṇḍalapariśuddha). This idea, which states that the ideal interplay between two individuals can be realised when the regular subject-object dichotomy disintegrates, describes the manner in which the bodhisattva step-by-step develops their virtuous training in an increasingly transcendent direction, the goal being the completely non-dual activity of a buddha. It is suggested that this framework, which describes a relationship of complete empathy and suggests a path towards that, illustrates part of what the particular Buddhist approach to chaplaincy is. It may also serve as a model for how to approach care practices in general. The concept is introduced and discussed in light of the present field of Buddhist chaplaincy, as well as in relation to the role of the author who draws on his own experiences as research material.