This service has been set up to facilitate those of the Vaishnava faith / religion who may find themselves in seemingly adverse situations such as a hospital, aged-care facility, prison or simply need someone objective to talk to in confidentiality...
About this service -
This service has been set up to help facilitate those of the Vaishnava community who feel they may need or wish to speak to someone experienced in life and trained in the various sastras in order to re-gain perspective of their situation and / or the situation of others.
We can often find ourselves in a seemingly adverse situation where we are emotionally distraught, feeling anxious, depressed or needing some spiritual guidance in times of need. In such times, the 'horns of a dilemma' can often take hold of our hearts and minds and cause confusion in what should or should not be done, what is good, what should I do now, how should I act, what would be the right course of action in this particular circumstance?, etc. These questions are called ‘Dharma Sankata’ — 'Dilemmas of Dharma' and can easily be dispelled by those with the proper training, life experience and a well-rounded understanding on the subject matter!
Unique specialties of this service -
Apart from discussing matters of faith and religion, this service can also administer the last rites of a dying devotee, making sure that they receive the sanctified water (tirtham) from the ritual bathing of Shalagram-sila's, a maha-prasadam Tulasi leaf and hear the holy name(s) of the Lord, etc. before they depart their mortal frame.
It can also give the preliminary blessings to a newly born baby (Jatakarman-samskara) and in unison with our 'Vedic Samskara Services', can provide more involved services to grieving families with specialised rituals such as the 'Antyeshti-samskara', also known as the 'funeral rites'!
* For more elaborate samskaras, protection yajna's and puja's for auspiciousness, fully qualified Vedic Priests can be found and their services solicited at:
http://www.australiancouncilofhinduclergy.org/contact-us.html
** The Vaishnava Chaplaincy Service can also be accessed via Skype, Email and Facebook, etc. for those outside of our normal field of activity.
Please note -
The local Vaishnava Chaplaincy Service is technically free of charge, however, those using the service or those wishing to see it continue effectively and efficiently are welcome and encouraged to make donations (according to their means) via PayPal to: yajur_veda_australasia@yahoo.com.au This will enable those providing the service to be able pay for their parking, cover toll charges, fuel and transportation costs and to help purchase reading material and supportive resources, etc. for those in need.
Disclaimer & Legalities -
1. All Chaplaincy services are provided by volunteers experienced as 'ministers of religion' and are NOT substitutes for professional counselling and psychiatric help when and where it may be required.
2. Although all generic matters will always be heard and discussed with the utmost confidentiality and discretion, any matter that may have criminal implications and / or intent may be reported to the relevant law enforcement authorities as per the discretion of the Chaplain and the stipulation of the laws of the land.
3. All services depend upon the availability of the volunteers, the ability to get to a particular location and the time, place and circumstance. Although we strive to meet all requests for assistance, we may in 'some' circumstances have to decline if it is deemed inappropriate, unsuitable or a danger to our safety and / or the safety of others.
What is Pastoral Care?
'Pastoral care' is a term applied where people offer help and caring to others in their church / temple and / or wider community. Pastoral care in this sense can be as diverse as listening, supporting, encouraging and befriending.
On a brighter note -
We look forward to being able to assist you and the greater Vaishnava community in this regard and hope that in time, many others will also take up the mantle as the Vaishnava diaspora continues to grow worldwide.
We would like to summarize the aim of and inspiration to offer our services to the community, with part of this pertinent verse from the Bhagavad-Gita (Chapter 3, Verse 20), to meditate upon:
loka saṅgraham-evāpi saṃpaśyan kartum arhasi ||
“One should always act with the welfare of the entire universe in view”.
And from the Brhadaranyaka Upanishad, I.iii.28, we ask the Lord:
“From untruth, lead us to truth.
From ignorance, lead us to wisdom.
From death, lead us to immortality”!
- Category:
- Church/religious organization