UWest Hosts CPE Expo to Foster Interdisciplinary Collaboration for Community Wellness

Fo Guang Shan Hsi Lai Temple
January 10, 2025

University of the West (UWest) hosted the Community Wellness and Clinical Pastoral Education Expo (CPE Expo) on November 21, 2024, an event co-organized by the university’s Department of Buddhist Chaplaincy/Spiritual Care and the Office of Community Relations, led by Director Fong Sam. Sponsored by the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, the expo gathered professionals and organizations from healthcare, mental health, education, and spiritual care sectors to collaboratively promote holistic community wellness.

Jessica Zheng, Assistant Professor in the Department of Buddhist Chaplaincy / Spiritual Care, and Fong Sam, Director of Community Relations, emphasized that the expo’s core mission was to foster interdisciplinary collaboration and explore how education and spiritual care can contribute to building a healthier and more vibrant community, aligning with the principles of Humanistic Buddhism. They highlighted that realizing this vision requires the collective efforts of all participants.

Highlights of the Expo

The event featured a diverse lineup of activities blending culture, art, and spiritual practices. FGS Hsi Lai Temple’s Coffee Meditation integrates coffee with mindfulness practice, allowing participants to experience the power of mindfulness in their daily lives. The Ogasawara-Ryu Tea Ceremony showcased the intersection of tranquility and refined aesthetics in Japanese culture. Crystal sound bath led by Chaplain Tamara Grace used crystal singing bowls and binaural beats to guide participants into deep relaxation and introspection, receiving widespread acclaim.

Students from UWest’s Buddhist Chaplaincy / Spiritual Care Department presented innovative projects inspired by Humanistic Buddhism, demonstrating practical applications of spiritual care. Additional activities included Clay Healing by Rita Valencia, which fostered mind-body connection and stress relief; the “Picasso Upside-Down Man” creative painting workshop led by Connie and Chris Johnson, encouraging participants to express emotions from fresh perspectives; creative finger painting symbolizing interpersonal connections by Venerable Xian Dong; immersive mindful calligraphy led by Venerable Lotus (Thao Nguyen) to cultivate inner peace through writing; and “Healing Temple” by Bhante Ananda Lindagala, where blessings and Buddhist chants created a serene spiritual atmosphere.

Clinical Pastoral Education Panel Discussions

A key component of the expo was the Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) panel discussion. Experts from institutions including USC Medical Center, Long Beach VA Medical Center, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, and the Center for Lay Chaplaincy shared insights on integrating spiritual care into clinical practice. These discussions provided valuable perspectives on challenges and opportunities in spiritual care, inspiring attendees to explore its integration across various professional fields.

Breakout sessions allowed participants to delve deeper into topics like CPE training, implementation, and overcoming challenges, fostering the development of more comprehensive service models and advancing the sustainability of spiritual care practices.

Collaboration and Community Building

Nearly 20 organizations participated in the expo, including FGS Hsi Lai Temple, the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, Garfield Health Center, SHARE! Recovery Center, Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) and Asian Youth Center (AYC). Through interactive exhibits and resource sharing, the event promoted cross-sector collaboration. Attendees also enjoyed a carefully prepared Sri Lankan-inspired lunch, enhancing the warm and inviting community atmosphere.

Positive Reception

The CPE Expo received high praise from attendees, many of whom noted its success in fostering interdisciplinary dialogue and enhancing the understanding and practice of spiritual care. A participant from SHARE! Recovery Center remarked, “This event showcased the power of collaboration, demonstrating how education and teamwork can tangibly improve community wellness.”

The UWest CPE Expo stands as a testament to the transformative potential of interdisciplinary collaboration and the role of spiritual care in building a healthier, more compassionate society.