RAF CHAPLAINCY
Padre Lancaster officiating at a memorial event. Chaplains lead ceremonial occasions for Service Personnel of all faiths and none.
DR S. M. KARIYAKARAWANA, BUDDHIST CHAPLAIN TO HM ARMED FORCES
As the Buddhist Chaplain to HM Forces for the past 12 years I have witnessed an incremental, positive growth in the British military towards world faiths.
An individual ' s faith is no longer something to be afraid of or hidden. Unlike the‘ good old days’, one doesn ' t need the permission of the unit Chaplain or the Chain of Command ' s approval to embrace a faith of one ' s liking. Thanks largely to the MOD ' s initiative to introduce Chaplains from major world faiths, services, service heads and the defence community as a whole, seem to have understood the value of faiths working together. The original words‘ tolerate one ' s faith’ seem to have changed into‘ respect one ' s faith’.
Moreover, there seems to be a lot more collaboration and collegial working of the faith Chaplains as indicated by the tri-service World-Faith Working Group. As the Buddhist Chaplain I am requested by all faith groups to talk about‘ Mindfulness’.
Though‘ Mindfulness’ originated and spread through Buddhist Meditation, most faith traditions encourage people to practise it for health and well-being.
We certainly are living in interesting times. The 21st Century British Military is not only faith-friendly, but seems to value what faith brings to the hearts and minds of all faith practitioners.
“ A CHAPLAIN IN THE ARMED FORCES FROM ANY FAITH TODAY CAN BE A FRIEND, A MENTOR AND A NON-JUDGEMENTAL LISTENER”
Buddhism Hinduism Islam Judaism Sikhism Humanist Christianity
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