The determination of 'good standing' within the Buddhist community is referred to as ‘initial endorsement’ by the Buddhist Healthcare Chaplaincy Trust (BHCT).

To be approved as a person in ‘good standing’ and receive ‘initial endorsement’ by the BHCT, the candidate must:

● Be a committed, practising Buddhist, legally resident in the UK

● Demonstrate some an aptitude for work in healthcare chaplaincy

● Have relevant prior experience

● Meet normal employment expectations (e.g. punctuality)

● Indicate that they are engaged in their development as a reflective practitioner 

Being accredited as ‘endorsed with good standing' provides assurance to healthcare authorities that the BHCT has determined that they and the applicant’s Buddhist community see no obstacles to the applicant working in a pastoral, spiritual or religious care role. 

Candidates are assessed as having ‘good standing’ by the BHCT via:

1. Submission of an application, including a written or oral piece mindfully reflecting upon the endorsement guidelines provided in the Buddhist Chaplaincy Guidelines brochure (available on request).

2. Character References

3. Buddhist Community References

The application looks for past and present experience, motivation towards chaplaincy, Buddhist practice, experience of other Buddhist traditions, chaplaincy training, and testimony to adopt the Five Chaplaincy Principles as they relate to Buddhists. The assessment criteria for the application include: evidence of prior experience in healthcare settings or other relevant activity; evidence of compassion, care, empathy, and a desire to help others; well-grounded Buddhist practice and an understanding that chaplains are accountable to their employer and to their religious community; knowledge or openness to other Buddhist traditions; prior chaplaincy training; honest declaration of possible impediments & openness to support; acknowledgement of the centrality of the Five Chaplaincy Principles. 

The character reference aims to assess the candidate’s personal qualities. It aims to assess the trustworthiness, reliability, punctuality, sensitivity, and listening skills of the applicant. The Buddhist community references look for the demonstration of 'good standing' within the Buddhist community and is achieved by assessing the applicant’s involvement with their own Buddhist group through centres or temples, and with the wider Buddhist community.

The determination of ‘good standing’ begins a 24 month ‘initial endorsement’ period for the candidate in which they are required to undertake training and seek chaplaincy experiences in order to prepare themselves for a chaplaincy post. Once this is achieved the applicant can apply for Full Endorsement, a detailed and thorough process which examines experience, knowledge and commitment.