{"id":2063,"date":"2020-12-15T06:51:34","date_gmt":"2020-12-15T06:51:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.chanmeditation.ca\/?p=2063"},"modified":"2020-12-15T06:51:37","modified_gmt":"2020-12-15T06:51:37","slug":"inter-faith-discussion-in-palliative-education","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/chanmeditation.ca\/index.php\/2020\/12\/15\/inter-faith-discussion-in-palliative-education\/","title":{"rendered":"Inter-Faith Discussion in Palliative Education"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"foogallery foogallery-container foogallery-masonry foogallery-lightbox-foobox fg-center fg-masonry fg-light fg-loading-default fg-loaded-fade-in fg-hover-fade fg-hover-plus fg-ready fg-col3\" id=\"foogallery-gallery-2056\" data-foogallery=\"{&quot;item&quot;:{&quot;showCaptionTitle&quot;:true,&quot;showCaptionDescription&quot;:true},&quot;lazy&quot;:true}\" >\r\n\t\t<div class=\"fg-column-width\"><\/div>\r\n\t<div class=\"fg-gutter-width\"><\/div>\r\n\t\t<div class=\"fg-item fg-type-image fg-idle\"><figure class=\"fg-item-inner\"><a href=\"https:\/\/chanmeditation.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/noname.png\" data-caption-title=\"noname\" data-attachment-id=\"2057\" data-type=\"image\" class=\"fg-thumb\"><span class=\"fg-image-wrap\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"84\" class=\"skip-lazy fg-image\" data-src-fg=\"https:\/\/chanmeditation.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/cache\/2020\/12\/noname\/626781643.png\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20width%3D%22150%22%20height%3D%2284%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20150%2084%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" loading=\"eager\"><\/span><span class=\"fg-image-overlay\"><\/span><\/a><figcaption class=\"fg-caption\"><div class=\"fg-caption-inner\"><div class=\"fg-caption-title\">noname<\/div><\/div><\/figcaption><\/figure><div class=\"fg-loader\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fg-item fg-type-image fg-idle\"><figure class=\"fg-item-inner\"><a href=\"https:\/\/chanmeditation.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/noname-1.png\" data-caption-title=\"noname 1\" data-attachment-id=\"2058\" data-type=\"image\" class=\"fg-thumb\"><span class=\"fg-image-wrap\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"84\" class=\"skip-lazy fg-image\" data-src-fg=\"https:\/\/chanmeditation.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/cache\/2020\/12\/noname-1\/3689432400.png\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20width%3D%22150%22%20height%3D%2284%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20150%2084%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" loading=\"eager\"><\/span><span class=\"fg-image-overlay\"><\/span><\/a><figcaption class=\"fg-caption\"><div class=\"fg-caption-inner\"><div class=\"fg-caption-title\">noname 1<\/div><\/div><\/figcaption><\/figure><div class=\"fg-loader\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fg-item fg-type-image fg-idle\"><figure class=\"fg-item-inner\"><a href=\"https:\/\/chanmeditation.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/6.png\" data-caption-title=\"6\" data-attachment-id=\"2059\" data-type=\"image\" class=\"fg-thumb\"><span class=\"fg-image-wrap\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"88\" class=\"skip-lazy fg-image\" data-src-fg=\"https:\/\/chanmeditation.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/cache\/2020\/12\/6\/4270676457.png\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20width%3D%22150%22%20height%3D%2288%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20150%2088%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" loading=\"eager\"><\/span><span class=\"fg-image-overlay\"><\/span><\/a><figcaption class=\"fg-caption\"><div class=\"fg-caption-inner\"><div class=\"fg-caption-title\">6<\/div><\/div><\/figcaption><\/figure><div class=\"fg-loader\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fg-item fg-type-image fg-idle\"><figure class=\"fg-item-inner\"><a href=\"https:\/\/chanmeditation.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/3.57.49-PM.png\" data-caption-title=\"3.57.49 PM\" data-attachment-id=\"2060\" data-type=\"image\" class=\"fg-thumb\"><span class=\"fg-image-wrap\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"102\" class=\"skip-lazy fg-image\" data-src-fg=\"https:\/\/chanmeditation.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/cache\/2020\/12\/3_57_49-PM\/2374343764.png\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20width%3D%22150%22%20height%3D%22102%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20150%20102%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" loading=\"eager\"><\/span><span class=\"fg-image-overlay\"><\/span><\/a><figcaption class=\"fg-caption\"><div class=\"fg-caption-inner\"><div class=\"fg-caption-title\">3.57.49 PM<\/div><\/div><\/figcaption><\/figure><div class=\"fg-loader\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fg-item fg-type-image fg-idle\"><figure class=\"fg-item-inner\"><a href=\"https:\/\/chanmeditation.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/3.16.46-PM.png\" data-caption-title=\"3.16.46 PM\" data-attachment-id=\"2061\" data-type=\"image\" class=\"fg-thumb\"><span class=\"fg-image-wrap\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"92\" class=\"skip-lazy fg-image\" data-src-fg=\"https:\/\/chanmeditation.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/cache\/2020\/12\/3_16_46-PM\/2265514589.png\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20width%3D%22150%22%20height%3D%2292%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20150%2092%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" loading=\"eager\"><\/span><span class=\"fg-image-overlay\"><\/span><\/a><figcaption class=\"fg-caption\"><div class=\"fg-caption-inner\"><div class=\"fg-caption-title\">3.16.46 PM<\/div><\/div><\/figcaption><\/figure><div class=\"fg-loader\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fg-item fg-type-image fg-idle\"><figure class=\"fg-item-inner\"><a href=\"https:\/\/chanmeditation.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/3.13.58-PM.png\" data-caption-title=\"3.13.58 PM\" data-attachment-id=\"2062\" data-type=\"image\" class=\"fg-thumb\"><span class=\"fg-image-wrap\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"117\" class=\"skip-lazy fg-image\" data-src-fg=\"https:\/\/chanmeditation.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/cache\/2020\/12\/3_13_58-PM\/2197831286.png\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20width%3D%22150%22%20height%3D%22117%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20150%20117%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" loading=\"eager\"><\/span><span class=\"fg-image-overlay\"><\/span><\/a><figcaption class=\"fg-caption\"><div class=\"fg-caption-inner\"><div class=\"fg-caption-title\">3.13.58 PM<\/div><\/div><\/figcaption><\/figure><div class=\"fg-loader\"><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<p>\nOn November 26th, the inter-faith discussion was held by Richmond Integrated Hospice Palliative Care Team under the Vancouver Coastal Health and facilitated by Rev. Matthew Heyn, Spiritual Health Clinical Educator from the Richmond Integrated Hospice Palliative Care Team.<\/p>\n<p>\nVenerable Chang Wu, representing Chan and Pure Land Buddhism, along with Rev. Maggie, representing Protestant Christianity, and Father Wong, representing Roman Catholicism, were\ninvited as panelists to share insights on their respective faith\u2019s perspective on end of life and spiritual\/religious traditions, offering valuable insights to healthcare professionals on how to\ncare for their patients and families.\nThis discussion, conducted via Zoom, allowed for interactive discussions between the panelists and approximately 40 participating healthcare professionals. The discussion was centred around three main topics: 1) basic beliefs around end of life, 2) story of a congregant\/parishioner that each representative assisted with in their dying process, and 3) important rituals\/practices when death is imminent.<\/p>\n<p>\nThe discussion began with the first topic: Basic beliefs around end of life. Venerable Chang Wu, indicated that, from the Buddhist belief, \u201cdeath is not truly the end of life, [and] there will be future lives.\u201d Therefore, Buddhists view the end of life as it being \u201cjust a leg of a journey, [which continues] after this life.\u201d She further said that \u201cthere are reasons and purposes that we come\nto this world\u201d, and \u201cwhen the time comes for us to leave, we leave with empty hands.\u201c As Buddhists, we want to help individuals, when facing death, to move on to their journey as\nsmooth as possible.\u201d Following Venerable Chang Wu, Rev. Maggie indicated that end of life is a\nnatural process that happens to everyone\u201d. Christians believe that \u201cGod is with us in bad and evil situations, even during the process of death\u201d. This belief therefore relieves the feelings of fear and loneliness experienced by the patent. Finally, Father Wong responded that, in Catholicism, death also signifies the beginning of a new life.<\/p>\n<p>\nNext, the panelists combined their responses to the second and third topics and shared their experiences on the importance of their religious rituals when assisting their congregants\/parishioner in their dying process. Venerable Chang Wu indicated that the tradition of chanting Buddha\u2019s name, Amitabha, is an important pillar in Buddhist ritual when death is imminent. It helps to clear off the patient\u2019s anxiety, attachment and fear and therefore be able to have a calm, peaceful and clear mind\u201d during the dying process. It not only helps the\ndeceased but also bring comfort and peace to their family. In addition to the chanting, meditation practices can be applied and useful. In addition to the chanting, Buddhists also apply meditation practices in this process and find very helpful.<\/p>\n<p>\nSimilarly, Rev. Maggie also shared that singing plays an important role in Christian ritual in the dying process. However, different from Buddhism, other practices such as healing touch, healing prayer, communion, and baptism are also important parts of the Christian ritual. She emphasized that, in Christianity, the patient is baptized into the faith community and therefore, the presence of fellow congregants is critical. In addition to communion and baptism in Christianity, Father Wong indicated that receiving blessings and making confessions to the Pastor are key pieces in Catholic ritual when death is imminent. However, as emphasized by Father Wong, the ritual of confession is often confidential, hence, only the Pastor should be\npresent with the patient during this time.<\/p>\n<p>\nDespite their different beliefs around end of life, the common theme between the three panelists is to offer support and comfort for not only the patient, but also their families with an aim of creating a warm and -free-of-fear environment for the patient and a caring relationship that they are supported emotionally and spiritually.<\/p>\n<p>\nDuring the Q&amp;A, many questions were raised and directed to Buddhism. Especially for the healthcare provider and service staff, by conveying the Buddhist perspective and practice to healthcare providers and workers, not only will they learn how to take care of Buddhist patients, but the patients will also feel respected and properly taken care of. We want to thank the organizer for hosting such a beneficial event and welcome more of this kind to come in the future.<\/p>\n<p>\nWritten by Monica Ho<\/p>\n\n<p>Default image (2nd thumbnail of the upper row): The first row from left to right: Rev. Matthew Heyn, Ven. Chang Wu, Rev. Meggie Watts-Hammond, Fr. Robert Wong \n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>On November 26th, the inter-faith discussion was held by Richmond Integrated Hospice Palliative Care Team under the Vancouver Coastal Health and facilitated by Rev. Matthew [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2058,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2063","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-recent-posts"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/chanmeditation.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2063","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/chanmeditation.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/chanmeditation.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chanmeditation.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chanmeditation.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2063"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/chanmeditation.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2063\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2065,"href":"https:\/\/chanmeditation.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2063\/revisions\/2065"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chanmeditation.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2058"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/chanmeditation.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2063"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chanmeditation.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2063"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chanmeditation.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2063"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}