Sangha Support Scholarship

Growing up in a Buddhist family, I was taught from an early age to value compassion, mindfulness, and the importance of inner peace. Buddhism is not just a religion to me. it’s a way of life that has shaped how I see the world, how I treat others, and how I understand myself. Through its teachings, I’ve learned to stay grounded during difficult times and to approach every situation with a calm heart and a clear mind. As a nursing student, my Buddhist beliefs deeply influence the care I want to provide. The concept of karuna (compassion) guides how I interact with patients—not just treating their physical symptoms, but truly seeing them as whole individuals. I believe that healing comes not only from medicine but also from kindness, patience, and presence. Whether someone is recovering from surgery or nearing the end of life, I want to be a gentle and supportive presence for them and their families. My faith has also taught me the importance of service and giving without expecting anything in return. That’s why, once I graduate, I hope to return to rural or underserved communitiesplaces like where I came from and provide care where it’s needed the most. Many people in these areas do not have access to basic healthcare, and I want to be someone who can bring both medical help and emotional comfort. In the future, I also hope to help raise awareness about mental health within the Buddhist community. Sometimes, mental health struggles are overlooked or misunderstood, especially in traditional settings. Using my education and the compassion Buddhism has taught me, I want to break the stigma and encourage open conversations about emotional well-being, especially among the younger generation. Ultimately, my goal is to serve with both skill and heart. My Buddhist upbringing has made me more sensitive to suffering and more dedicated to bringing relief. I don’t just want to be a nurse. I want to be a source of light for others during their darkest moments. I believe that through kindness, mindfulness, and service, I can truly make a difference in people’s lives and in the world.As a Buddhist, I’ve learned to lead with compassion and mindfulness. These values inspire my nursing journey. I hope to bring healing to underserved communities, especially in rural areas. My goal is to serve with kindness and raise awareness about mental health. Through service, I want to give back and be a light to others.

My relationship with the Buddhist faith has grown since my conversion to Buddhism a decade ago. I have used the principles upon which to become a more structured person. Every day I spend my morning in meditation and my evenings. It was throughout this journey that I became a more intentional Buddhist. I attended Wat Pah Samarkki and made connections with various other Buddhists from all different walks of life. My goals have changed because of my journey. Last year I decided to become a chaplain in the Army. I am currently seeking to become an Army Chaplain Candidate. In that process, I met with monks, nuns, and laypersons who shared their own beliefs and assisted me. I have attended SGI Nichiren Buddhist meetings and continued my studies with Wat Pah Samarkki. I also became ordained through Bodhiyana Buddhist Chaplain Fellowship receiving my Dharma name Zhong Yi on March 09, 2024. My future goal as a Buddhist is to use my position as an Army Chaplain to assist service members and their families. Further, I will continue my research as a clinician to assist others. In the fall I will begin attending Naropa University and obtain my Masters of Divinity. Currently, I am a student studying for my PhD in Health Sciences through Liberty University. My dissertation addresses the topic of complex post-traumatic stress disorder in women combat veterans. Throughout my dissertation process, I have developed research specific to the mitigation of stress and improving systems of care for mental health concerns experienced by combat veterans and their families. This is a particular area of service that I am drawn toward as people with difficulty in behavioral health often just need a caring individual to empathize with their concerns. I would like to continue assisting those in need experiencing mental health concerns and other issues in achieving peace through their spiritual journey. In taking the steps toward completing my educational goals I have experienced challenges not only as a student but also as a military member and veteran. Further, through my years of military service, I have been afforded the skills necessary to serve my veteran and civilian community. I would work directly with people who have experienced traumatic and life-altering experiences and assist them in processing a new outlook from their experiences on their life path. I would hope that others view me as an informed individual able to assist others. Academically I have been able to expand my knowledge base within a supportive environment and continue my studies to positively impact change in my community. My outlook for having the appropriate adeptness through the university educational training regimen centers around the availability within the program of mentorship and outreach that will assist in my successful completion. Knowing how healthcare systems are impacted by outside stakeholders is fundamental to accomplishing better strategic analysis when interpreting the information required by departmental staff to develop best practices for treatment plans. Often resilience from the service members as well as my internal resilience will be necessary in bridging the gap necessary to meet the needs of the individual. Having a drive to meet individuals where they are will also be at the forefront of my daily outreach. Thank you for your time and consideration.