What a Minister is and what one is not...
                                                               RETURN TO MAIN PAGE

A Buddhist Minister is...

-A lay practicioner that has taken on more precepts (10 precepts)  and a commitment to work with his or her community to spread the Dharma (Dhamma). 

-A Lay Minister can be akin to A deacon.  Deacons serve as lay helpers to monastics performing clerical, liturgical, and some ceremonial functions. (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deacon)

-Discusser of the Dharma (Dhamma) leading classes, readings, and discussions of the Buddha's teachings.

-Mediation leader, many Buddhist Ministers lead meditation groups.  There may be aspects of ceremony and chanting that goes along with that.

A Lay Minister may also serve as a Chaplain.  We now have Ministers serving in Prisons, the Military, and college campuses throughout the United States.

         A Buddhist Minister may be 'attached' to a Monk, Nun, Temple, or Monastery for the above purposes.  This is not a strict rule, but Ministers all have (Or atleast should have)  a 'Master teacher' (see Advisors) with whom they may consult and study under. 

A Buddhist Minister is not...

-A Monk, Nun, Bikkhu, or Buddhist Monastic.

-A solely individual practicioner. We are active and engaged in our community and society.

-A Dharma (Dhamma) teacher.  Ministers do not have the experience nor the training to teach as a Monastic should.

-A business entity.  The work of a Buddhist Minister is voluntary, we may accept donations for travel, accomodations, food and the like, but this is by no means our livelyhood.  We must understand that expenses for discussions, chaplain work, ministering and teaching may occur and to receive a donation for those is ok.