INTEGRATING BUDDHIST TEACHINGS IN PROVIDING CARE
An Online Public Lecture Series (via Zoom) – April 17, May 1, May 22, 2025
PLEASE COMPLETE REGISTRATION FORM HERE
Intersections of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Buddhism (Parts 1 and 2)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a psychological intervention that has wide clinical applications. In addition to its explicit use of the concept of mindfulness, the therapeutic techniques of ACT implicitly incorporate other aspects of Buddhism. This talk will describe the basic principles and processes of ACT, and explore the similarities and differences between ACT processes and some of the common tenets in Buddhism such as the Four Noble Truths and No-Self.
Thursday, April 17, 2025, 7-9 pm
Speaker:
Dr. Kenneth Fung, MD FRCPC MSc FAPA FCPA,
Staff Psychiatrist & Clinical Director, Asian Initiative in Mental Health Program, Toronto Western Hospital, Professor & Director of Global Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto
Thursday, May 1, 2025, 7-9 pm
Speaker:
Dr. Daniel Hughes, MD FRCPC MSc
Psychiatrist, Toronto Western Hospital
Buddhist Education Foundation of Canada Fellow in Buddhism and Psychiatry,
Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto
Buddhist Approach to Dementia Care
This talk looks into the practical application of the Buddha’s teachings, offering caregivers and healthcare professionals fresh perspectives on mindfulness, compassion, and resilience. Learn how the principles of presence, acceptance, and gentle awareness can inspire more empathetic and effective care practices for those living with dementia. Join us for an enlightening journey that bridges timeless spiritual guidance with the challenges of contemporary dementia care.
Thursday May 22, 2025, 7-9 pm
Speaker:
Dr. Henry Shiu, PhD
Shi Wu De Assistant Professor in Chinese Buddhist Studies, Emmanuel College, University of Toronto
Free Admission – zoom link will be provided to those registered for the events.
To register, complete registration form at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdVc1mZ-wMl3jhsd9x9-ulFeXGynifi0NRWAzcYkk0c032p4g/viewform?usp=sharing
Donation by e-transfer to admin@appliedbuddhism.ca to support the work of the Toronto Centre for Applied Buddhism will be greatly appreciated.
For further information, email admin@appliedbuddhism.ca www.appliedbuddhism.ca
Please feel free to share our poster-pdf and our small poster-Jpeg files with others.
These lectures are sponsored by the Buddhist Education Foundation of Canada
PAST EVENTS
Exploring Cross-cultural Dimensions of Institutional Care of Seniors
a panel presentation & discussion to understand cultural care needs, to explore best practices, to advocate together for multi-cultural care
Please view our event on Saturday November 4, 2023 recorded below:
Video recording of the Panel Presentation
Powerpoint slides from 1st speaker Rev. Karen Fox
Powerpoint slides from 3rd speaker Mr. Andy Chung
Video recording of the Panel Discussion
Please see the speakers’ bios and their pictures below the poster.
Download poster here.
Brief bios of our three speakers (in order of presentation):
Rev. Karen Fox is the Multifaith Chaplain at Baycrest’s Hospital and Apotex Centre, Jewish Home for the Aged. She also provides supportive counselling within Baycrest’s Pamela and Paul Austin Centre for Neurology and Behavioural Support for clients and their families who are living/ caring for someone with a chronic neurological disorder.
Rev. Karen was Certified as a Spiritual Care Specialist in the CASC in 2000 and registered with the CRPO in 2015. She is also a Certified Supervisor-Educator in Clinical Pastoral Education (CASC) since 2021. Her specialties include pediatric trauma, oncology, neonatal services, women’s health, acute care geriatrics and bereavement.
She was ordained within the Canadian Baptist Convention of Ontario and Quebec in June of 1996 after having completed a BA in Biblical Studies; BA in Religious Studies; Master of Divinity degree (MDiv) and later an honours diploma in Social Service Worker. Her areas of focused studies included world religions, gerontology, counselling, bereavement and crisis intervention. Over the years Karen’s studies also included bereavement across the lifespan, bereavement for those living with dementia, crisis intervention and post-traumatic stress, autism, and aging within the LGBTQ2 community.
Venerable Thich Phap Hoa was born in Can Tho, Vietnam in 1974. He moved to Canada at 12 years old and was ordained at the age of 15 with Ven. Thich Thien Tam in Edmonton Alberta. He received his higher ordination at twenty in Plum Village, studying and practicing Zen with Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh. He was recognized and authorized by Thich Nhat Hanh to be a dharma teacher in the Plum Village tradition.
He currently is the Abbot of Truc Lam Temple and Tay Thien Zen Monastery in Edmonton Alberta. Ven. Thich Phap Hoa was actively involved in the Tuoi Hac Golden Age Manor which established the first Vietnamese Community retirement residence in Canada. He is an outstanding dharma teacher for the Vietnamese Community around the world and the multi-ethnic community at large in Canada.
Mr. Andy Chung is both a Certified Specialist in CASC and Registered Psychotherapist in CRPO. He is a Spiritual and Religious Care Practitioner at Yee Hong Centre for Geriatric Care.
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To Support Breakfast Programs in Sunday Dhamma Schools for Children in Sri Lanka
You are invited to join an on-line discussion/brainstorm meeting to explore how to continue and expand the breakfast programs in the Sunday Dhamma Schools in Sri Lanka.
http://appliedbuddhism.ca/community-engaged-buddhism
Date: Sunday April 16, 2023 Time: 8:30 PM (EST / Toronto Time)
Meeting ID: 884 1341 1601
Passcode: 442225
Buddhist Memorial Service
Thursday, December 29, 2022, 6-7 pm (by invitation only)
Please register by completing this form: https://forms.gle/b1VsMSDASD4UtNHg6
Community Engaged Buddhism (on-line) Seminar Series:
Please join our first seminar:
August 28, 2022 (Sunday), 7:30 pm
How Canadian Buddhists may lend a helping hand to Buddhist communities in Asia facing economic hardship?
Speaker: Venerable Bhante Kusala https://bhantekusala.org
Admission: $20 – all event proceeds go to support children education in Sri Lanka
Email admin@appliedbuddhism.ca to register for the event.
A zoom link will be sent to those registered.
Spiritual Care and Prayer Service: March 27, 2022 (Sunday 6:00 – 7:30 pm)
Please RSVP by emailing admin@appliedbuddhism.ca with your name and the names of guests attending the event.
Here is an interview with Bhante Kusala on
How to hold, process, and experience growth with grief
PAST EVENTS
February 6, 2022 (Sunday 7 – 8 pm)
Spiritual Care and Prayer Service
June 5, 2021 (Saturday 6-7 pm)
Buddhist Memorial & Prayer Service
On-line Program:
Dharma Talk and Chanting
Venerable Xin Yin, Abbot of the Mahayana Pure Land Temple, Markham, Ontario
Reading and Music
Remembering and honouring loved ones
Praying for the health and well being of everyone in our community during this difficult time
Download flyer for more information:
April 18 to May 31, 2021 (Mondays)
Buddhist Psycho-education Groups for university students and young adults 18-25 years old
Co-facilitators:
Charles Chiarelli BA, BEd
Nicolas Beaulieu MD, FRCPC Psychiatry, MA Philosophy
Charles is an Ontario Certified Teacher. He also has a Certificate in Counselling Techniques from Mohawk College and a Graduate Diploma in Buddhist Mindfulness and Mental Health. He works as a peer support counsellor at the Hamilton Mental Health Rights Coalition. He is completing his second year of his Master’s in Buddhist Pastoral Studies, Spiritual Care and Psychotherapy in the University of Toronto.
Nicolas is a Buddhism & Psychiatry and Psychotherapy clinical fellow at University of Toronto. He obtained his medical degree from the University of Montreal in 2014 and completed his psychiatry residency training at McGill University in 2020. Nicolas also has a Master’s degree in Philosophy from King’s College London. Nicolas is interested in the intersections between the concept of selfhood and psychotherapy, and how Buddhist perspectives on the matter may shape clinical interventions and promote well-being.
1. What did the Buddha Say about Stress? (April 19)
How does Buddhism see “stress” in our lives?
Does the understanding of stress from physiological and neurological sciences support the Buddhist view?
Developing our resilience: what did the Buddha teach us?
2. What makes an ethical person from a Buddhist perspective? (May 3)
Reflecting on the relationship between ethical conduct and mind training.
Understanding your personal values and personal and social responsibility.
Exploring ways for authentic living in this fast changing world.
3. Dealing with difficult emotions (May 17)
How does Buddhism see difficult emotions?
Why we avoid difficult emotions?
Develop our resilience through a Buddhist understanding of the human condition and mind training.
4. Dealing with difficult thoughts (May 31)
What did the Buddha say about the nature of thoughts and consciousness
Develop our resilience by working with difficult thoughts to cultivate consciousness.
Learn Buddhist practices to work with difficult thoughts and emotions.
If you are interested, please email groups@appliedbuddhism.ca
April 25, 2021 (Sunday 6-7 pm)
Buddhist Prayer Service
On-line Program:
Dharma Talk and Chanting
Venerable Sister Thich nu Tinh Quang, Abbess of Little Heron Zen Hermitage
Reading and Music
Remembering and honouring loved ones
Praying for the health and well being of everyone in our community during this difficult time
Please register to attend the event.
Download flyer for more information:
March 27 and April 17, 2021: Buddhist Contemplative Care for End of Life Speaker Series (western Zen tradition) See full description here
Sensei Chodo Campbell and Sensei Koshin Paley of the New York Zen Centre for Contemplative Care
March 27, 2-3:30 pm EST: On Your Mark! Are you ready for this final leg? (Chinese Mahayana tradition) See full description here.
Venerable Yin Kit of the Po Lam Buddhist Association
Her talk is recorded and published on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/EmmanuelCollegeofVic/videos/284948383139241/
March 6, 2-3:30 pm EST: Make End of Life Peaceful (Theravada tradition – full description)
Venerable Bhante SasanaSarana of the Buddha Meditation Centre of Greater Toronto
His talk is recorded and published on FaceBook:
https://www.facebook.com/114589995265081/videos/242708494169428
February 6, 4–6 p.m. EST: Doug Duncan Sensei and Catherine Pawasarat Sensei, “Vajrayana Buddhism and the Life, Death and Rebirth Bardos”
Their talk is recorded and published on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/114589995265081/videos/820407485174064
Wednesday November 25, 2020
Psycho-education Group: What did the Buddha Say about Stress?
Download poster here:
http://appliedbuddhism.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Poster-Students1_Large_J.jpg
September 2020
COURSES:
Introduction to Buddhist Counselling
10 Saturdays, September. 19, 2020 to November 21, 2020 (9:00 am to 10:30 am)
Download poster here.
Download Application Form for Intro to Buddhist Counselling
Buddhist Contemplative Care at End of Life
10 Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020 to Nov. 21, 2020 (1:30 to 3:00 pm)
Download poster here.
Download Application Form for Buddhist Contemplative Care at End of Life.
Spiritual Approach to Trauma Treatment Webminar
July 25, 2020, 2-4 pm. On-line via Zoom
Presented by: Dr. Albert Allen, MD, FRCP(C), Psychiatrist and Assistant Professor in Psychiatry at Northern Ontario School of Medicine, 2016-2017 Buddhist Education Foundation of Canada Fellow in Buddhism and Psychiatry
The intention of this webinar is to allow for reflection through analogies and thought experiments about how the participants’ spiritual practice in various forms can be incorporated into their psychotherapy work, especially working with trauma. We will be talking about principles participants can adapt to their individual circumstances more than specific techniques.
Buddhist Hospice and Palliative Care Panel Presentations / Discussion
Jan. 11, 2020, 1 to 5 pm. at Hart House, U of T1st Panel: Historical Development of Hospice and Palliative Care & the Role of volunteers
2nd Panel: End-of-Life Care in the Buddhist Traditions
Download poster here.
Newsletter: Wisdom Autumn 2002 published by University of Toronto Buddhist Community and Buddhist Student Association