Pastoral Care Policy

Purpose

Pastoral care at Antei-ji is the compassionate accompaniment of those who seek support through the practice of the Buddha Way. It is an expression of the Bodhisattva Vow: to meet suffering with wisdom, kindness and presence, without judgement or expectation. Pastoral care is only offered by ordained Zen Ministers and Zen Monks to members of the Sangha and, where appropriate, to members of the wider community.

What We Offer

Pastoral care may include:

  • Compassionate listening.
  • Spiritual guidance.
  • Meditation instruction.
  • Support during illness or bereavement.
  • Hospital, hospice or home visits where appropriate.
  • Funeral and memorial support.
  • Support during major life transitions.
  • Ethical reflection.
  • Regular pastoral conversations.
  • Simply sitting quietly with another person.

Sometimes the greatest gift is not advice but presence.

Our Approach

Pastoral care at Antei-ji seeks to embody:

  • Compassion
  • Wisdom
  • Confidentiality
  • Respect
  • Non-judgement
  • Patience
  • Appropriate boundaries
  • Humility
What Pastoral Care Is Not

Pastoral care is not:

  • Psychotherapy.
  • Medical treatment.
  • Crisis intervention.
  • Financial advice.
  • Legal advice.
  • Relationship counselling.
  • A substitute for professional healthcare.

Where appropriate, individuals may be encouraged to seek support from qualified professionals.

Confidentiality

Conversations are normally confidential.

However, confidentiality cannot be guaranteed where there is concern that:

  • someone may be at risk of significant harm;
  • a child, young person or adult at risk may be at risk;
  • a serious criminal offence has been disclosed;
  • safeguarding procedures require action.

Where possible, individuals will be informed before information is shared.

Boundaries

Those offering pastoral care will:

  • recognise the limits of their competence;
  • avoid creating unhealthy dependency;
  • maintain appropriate professional boundaries;
  • avoid exploiting relationships for financial, emotional or personal gain;
  • seek supervision or advice where appropriate;
  • follow Antei-ji’s Ethical Conduct, Safeguarding, and Neurodiversity and Inclusion Policies.
Equality

Pastoral care is offered without discrimination on the grounds of age, disability, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, or socio-economic background. Every person is treated with dignity and respect.

Accessibility

Reasonable adjustments will be made where possible to ensure pastoral support is accessible. This may include online meetings, accessible communication, or adapting meeting arrangements to individual needs.

Spiritual Freedom

Pastoral care respects the dignity and freedom of every individual.

Those seeking support are never pressured to adopt Buddhist beliefs, become members of Anteiji, or participate in ceremonies.

Pastoral care is offered freely, without coercion or expectation.

Training

Those providing pastoral care should receive appropriate training in:

  • active listening;
  • safeguarding;
  • confidentiality;
  • professional boundaries;
  • recognising mental health concerns;
  • appropriate referral to other services.

Regular reflection and ongoing development are encouraged.

Review

This policy will be reviewed every year

A Final Reflection

We do not seek to rescue others from their suffering, nor to solve every problem they bring. We seek to meet them with a steady heart, to listen deeply, to speak honestly when words are needed, and to walk beside them for as long as the Way allows. This is the practice of compassionate presence.

Antei-ji