On March 8, Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto’s Spiritual Care Team officially launched its 2025 Spiritual Care Training Series with an inaugural session on “Active Listening Techniques.” The training, held at the temple, aimed to strengthen participants' core skills in spiritual care and attracted 23 individuals from diverse backgrounds, including experienced volunteers, graduate students from the University of Toronto, legal professionals, and those involved in senior care. The next three sessions will delve deeper into communication skills, empathy, compassion, ethics, and self-care.

The initiative traces its roots to the pandemic when Venerable Chueh Fan, Abbess of Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto, established the Spiritual Care Team to provide emotional support to those in need. Over the past five years, under the leadership of Stephanie Hong, an experienced volunteer with professional qualifications in psychotherapy and spiritual counseling, the team has offered volunteer services in prisons, community centers, senior homes, and personal care settings. The training series is also part of the temple’s preparations for future collaborations with the University of Toronto’s Emmanuel CollegeSpiritual Care Program, the Delton Glebe Counselling Centre at Wilfrid LaurierUniversity, and Buddhist psychology initiatives at the University of Waterloo.

The program features expert instructors, including Stephanie Hong and Dr. Erica Wan, who brings nearly a decade of experience in the field. Dr. Wan’s insights have introduced fresh perspectives to the training, equipping participants with practical methods to address individuals' spiritual and emotional needs. The sessions are conducted in English and Cantonese, with simultaneous Mandarin interpretation, ensuring an inclusive and supportive learning environment.

Venerable Zhi Guan emphasized the significance of spiritual care from a Buddhist perspective, encouraging participants to approach others with empathy and an open heart. She highlighted the importance of understanding care through the lens of the Five Aggregates, fostering compassion and inclusivity ininteractions.

Through role-playing and scenario-based exercises, participants practiced key techniques such as paraphrasing, clarification, and encouragement. The training emphasized setting aside personal biases, responding with patience rather than rushing to provide solutions, and recognizing that genuine listeninginvolves understanding emotions and needs beyond words. Many participants shared that the hands-on exercises revealed blind spots in their listening skills, helping them appreciate the role of body language and eye contact in conveying care and support.

As the session concluded, instructors praised participants for their progress and encouraged them to integrate their new found skills into dailyinteractions. The program aims to cultivate a strong foundation in psychological and emotional support, ensuring that volunteers are well-prepared to extend meaningful care to those in need. Looking ahead, the Spiritual Care Team remains committed to expanding its impact, fostering personal growth, and enhancing community well-being.