# Ethical Leadership in Action: Venerable Priya Rakkhit Sraman, MDiv '17 October 21, 2022 ![Venerable Priya Rakkhit Sraman, wearing an orange robe, stands inside Divinity Hall Chapel.](/sites/g/files/omnuum5526/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/hds2/files/priya_sraman_900x600_1.jpg?itok=HjTZOqGa) Venerable Priya Rakkhit Sraman, MDiv '17, inside Divinity Hall Chapel in 2015. Photo by Kris Snibbe Questions and answers guide the Venerable Priya Rakkhit Sraman's Buddhist ministry. He began his monastic studies at the young age of 11 years old, exploring the many facets of Buddhism before pursuing his master of divinity degree at HDS. As the new Buddhist chaplain at Emory University, his inquisitive nature creates space for students and community members to listen and question freely, encouraging pondering important questions rather than pursuing immediate answers. This approach elevates the transaction between a question and answer into a meditative practice that can lead to deep insights and forging strong relationships, which he hopes to foster through intentional conversations and meaningful introspection. Curious about how Venerable Priya spans generations and geography with his ministry, we spoke with him about chaplaincy in higher education, the Buddhist community in the Atlanta area, and the nuances of mindfulness and meditation. **HDS**: Congratulations on your appointment as Buddhist chaplain at Emory University! Can you tell us about your role as part of the multifaith chaplaincy team? **SRAMAN**: As Emory's Buddhist chaplain, I attend to Buddhist life on campus while expanding programs to enhance people's understanding of practices from the Buddhist tradition. These programs are a mixture of current events and new initiatives, including the Emory Buddhist Club, the Full Moon Celebration, retreats, field trips to local Vietnamese temples, and other distant locations. I also revitalized Emory's Living Mandala Garden, originally planted in 2012 during Tibet Week, which celebrates Tibetan Buddhist culture at Emory. This restorative space is cared for by students in the Buddhist Club and other members of the Buddhist community on campus. Additionally, as an Office of Spiritual and Religious Life chaplain, I extend pastoral care to the full university community. Students, staff, and faculty may need additional support when dealing with anything from academic or work stress to mental health concerns to grief, and campus chaplains are here to help navigate the many challenges life can bring. **HDS**: In the Buddhist community, including those from other faith traditions who are exploring tenets of Buddhism, what interests and/ or struggles have you seen with regard to practicing meditation and pursuing mindfulness? **SRAMAN**: Among participants in our campus gatherings, I have witnessed an interest in expanding mindfulness and meditation. Mindfulness, or the purposeful awareness of your actions, exists in many forms, such as focusing on your breath, walking with awareness, and paying attention to your physical and mental experiences to cultivate virtues. There are many forms of meditation, or contem­ plative practice. I believe active listening through purposeful questions and experience-based answers is a contemplative practice, where everyone can contribute and uplift one another. When I first joined Emory, our weekly meetings reflected a panel format, where everyone waited their turn to ask me a question. However, I transformed the space from an independent consultation to a collaborative discussion. In an active Q&A, the community connects with one another. People pass their questions to the group, and peers do not offer an immediate response—but ponder the question. Those with similar experiences can then offer counsel, building confidence in their life's path, which is acknowledged and validated through listening. Mindfully attending to the questions enables taking the speaker seriously and reflecting on our own experiences. Everyone is attending to themselves and each other through listening with intention and speaking with purpose and care, expanding meditation and mindfulness in community. *"My understanding of the Buddhist practice is that the practice has a purpose. We talk about enjoying the journey, right? If you look at the Buddhist path, it actually has a purpose. The path leads to somewhere, and if the path leads you there, then the path is successful."* **HDS**: For people looking to explore more contemplative practices or different ways to engage with mindfulness, what might you recommend? **SRAMAN**: Stay current with yourself. You do not need to subscribe to rigid forms of mindfulness. Anyone can be mindful in anything they do, from walking, sitting, lying down, and standing still. Paying attention to the activity, your surroundings and pondering is an excellent way to expand mindfulness, step by step. **HDS**: In addition to your role as a chaplain at Emory, you also work with the Buddhist community in and around Atlanta. What is something you have learned from this work that you would like to share with others? **SRAMAN**: Atlanta has many Vietnamese temples, where English­ speaking children and youth accompany older family members to service. The ritualistic prayers are not translated, and the children who don't understand what is going on may mentally distance themselves from the practice, even ifthey recognize its importance. In a recent interaction with some youth, I realized that no one had asked them what they liked or did not like about Buddhism until I encouraged a discussion. As adults, we often tell children what we think or what they should think, but we don't always open a dialogue to reveal their wisdom and needs to us. The youth I spoke with knew that there are meaningful practices and positive things to take from Buddhism; however, much can be lost without a shared language and meaningful conversations. Young people are eager to listen and learn if we let them. With a better understanding of the Buddhist practices, these bright young minds are inspired to contemplate the possibilities of enriching their lives. ![Geese in a pond](/sites/g/files/omnuum5526/files/styles/hwp_1_1__960x960_scale/public/hds2/files/ducks_3.jpeg?itok=W7eRnv2T) Photo by Venerable Priya Rakkhit Sraman **HDS**: How did studying Buddhism in a multireligious context at HDS help prepare you for the chaplaincy role at Emory? **SRAMAN**: The multifaith experience at Harvard Divinity School enhanced my openness and receptivity to the world, enabling me to connect stories and experiences that seem far apart but, in truth, are very similar. As a Buddhist Ministry International Fellow and later student at H DS, it was enriching for me to explore a Buddhist text with non-Buddhists who were as serious as any Buddhist I know. Immersion in Buddhist and non-Buddhist communities within and beyond the classroom taught me to "just be" with others. This is now reflected in my chaplaincy work, where I am with people non­ judgmentally, with a keenness to find and attend to a connection, because all of us are connected in our experiences of being human. *—by Melín A. Sotiriou Droz, MTS '23* **A Week in the Life** MONDAY Meet with the Office of Spiritual and Religious Life. Hold mindfulness and wellbeing circle and open Q&A on campus. TUESDAY Join Pali class. Hold open office hours. WEDNESDAY Gather with local youth in the Atlanta-area Buddhist community. THURSDAY Join Pali class. Hold meditations and open Q&A on campus. FRIDAY Hold open office hours. Tend to Emory's Mandala Garden. SATURDAY Go for long walks in nature (in addition to evening meditative walks). Connect with family and friends. SUNDAY Take photos of local wildlife to practice photography skills and get to know the Atlanta area. *\*Note: Each week must include holding space for unexpected pastoral care and community support needs.* See also:- [ Alumni News and Profiles ](/discover-stories-about/alumni-news-and-profiles) - [ Ministry ](/discover-stories-about/ministry) - [ Buddhism ](/featured-topics/buddhism) - [ Buddhist Ministry Initiative ](/topic-tags/buddhist-ministry-initiative)