Kalyāṇamitra: A Model for Buddhist Spiritual Care presents research and analysis into the professional practice of Buddhist spiritual care based on the work of actual chaplains. Kalyāṇamitra is one of less than a dozen books about this young but growing profession, and the first to present a -comprehensive theory for Buddhist spiritual care.

Kalyāṇamitra, Volume I, presents an overview of Buddhist chaplaincy with a comprehensive theoretical framework and model for Buddhist spiritual care. Together, the framework and model outline the stages of formation of a Buddhist chaplain, provide a heuristic for the praxis of spiritual care, and a guide to grounding Buddhist chaplaincy in the Dharma.

Kalyāṇamitra, Volume II, focuses on the development of pragmatic skills through-out the education, training and internship of new Buddhist chaplains, as well as an overview of professional issues facing Buddhist chaplains in North America. Volume II builds on the theoretical framework and model presented in Volume I by placing the skills within their context and advancing a plan for the integration of the framework and model in Buddhist chaplaincy pedagogy.