| RESOURCES AND LINKS |
Letter from the Dalai Lama |
Frequently Asked Questions About Zen Hospice Project |
| How long has Zen Hospice Project been around? Zen Hospice was founded in 1987 as a program of the San Francisco Zen Center. Initially, we brought our services to indigent cancer patients living in the streets or in small residential hotels. In 1988, we began working in partnership with Laguna Honda Hospital to offer hospice services in an institutional setting. We began caring for people at our residential Guest House in 1990. |
| What does the "Zen" part mean? It reflects our approach of bringing mindfulness and compassion to our care of the dying. Through meditation practice, we deepen our capacity to be present and open to whatever is happening in the moment. We also explore our own relationship to death and dying. Of course, these qualities of mindfulness, compassion, and reflection are not exclusive to Buddhist practice. Buddhist practice simply forms the basis of our approach. |
| What does Buddhism teach about death and dying? One of Buddhism’s central teachings is about the impermanence of all things. When we come into contact with the precariousness of life, we also come to appreciate how precious it is, and we want to live it more fully. In this way, the reflection on death is actually a life-affirming experience. |
| Why Buddhism? Why not Christianity? It’s not a question of one or the other. At ZHP we find that the Buddhist tradition helps us serve people facing the end of their lives, but there are many hospice organizations working in other traditions and faiths. |
| Do you have video or audiotapes of your trainings? Frank Ostaseski, the founding director of Zen Hospice Project, has created an audio series entitled Being a Compassionate Companion. |
| Are there other Zen hospices around the country, or is there a Zen hospice in my part of the country? ZHP is the first and oldest Buddhist hospice in America and serves people in the San Francisco Bay Area. Other hospice programs with Buddhist roots are listed at Buddhanet.net. |
| How can I start a Zen hospice in my area? We provide consultations to groups wishing to engage in this endeavor. You might also have Zen Hospice sponsor a workshop in your area. For more information, contact our Public Education Director, Jennifer Block. |
| Can I visit Zen Hospice? Zen Hospice Project is happy to share our work and inspiration with others. Visitors are welcome to attend alternating Friday receptions at Laguna Honda Hospice. Please contact our office at 415-863-2910 to make arrangements at least several weeks in advance. |