Running head: CULTURAL IMMERSION: BUDDHISM AND THE RMHSNJ

Cultural Immersion: Buddhism and The Ronald McDonald House of SNJ

Lydia Kirkland
Wilmington University
Professor Payne

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Cultural Population
The Ronald McDonald House of Southern New Jersey (RMHSNJ) is proud to serve all
populations worldwide. This organization serves families of children that have disabilities and
deformities. They serve all races, genders and people from various religious backgrounds. These
families reach out for spiritual guidance in their times of uncertainty. One population RMHSNJ
serves are Buddhist.
History of population
Shakyamuni is the creator Buddhism. His name is Shakya is the name of his family and
Muni is translated in able one. He was birthed in 624 BC in Lumbini. He came from royalty
and was a prince. He stayed among his family until he was 29 years of age. He then left his
royalty behind and went into the woods to lead a life of spirituality. Living Bodh Gaya, India he
was in the woods for six years when he finally gained wisdom and understanding beneath the
Bodhi Tree (About Buddhism, n.d.).
Buddhism is can be broken down into four different sections (berkleycenter). There are
two sects of the Mahayana and Theravada. About 185 million individuals are Mahayana
Buddhist in China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Singapore and Vietnam. Theravada Buddhist can be
seen in Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, Sri Lanka and Burma and their numbers are 125 million and
counting. There is also 20 million Tibetan Buddhist, which is a spin off of Mahayana Buddhist,
which is popular in Tibet, Bhutan, Mongolia and locations in India, China and Russia. In the
world you can find 488 million Buddhist (Demographics of Buddhism, n.d.).
Direct Immersion Experience

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My experience was at the Buddhist Sangha of Southern New Jersey. Prior to arriving I
wanted to get a little heads up on what to expect. I searched on online for their website and was
able to view their tab for new comers. On the new comers page I read that we were to wear
darker colors as not to be a distraction. Also we were to wear something comfortable for
meditation purposes. We participated in a sitting and walking meditation as well as listened to a
recording. I will focus on my experience of the meditation.
When I first arrived at the building I was surprised. The service took place in the
basement of a house. This house was now utilized for a temple. There was a fisher-price plastic
bike on the lawn which threw me off. I was thinking there would be a grand building perhaps
with gold, red or yellow around. This building was a Unitarian building where all different
religions come to worship.
When I entered I went up a flight of stairs and was greeted by a smiling Caucasian man.
He pointed me into a room with a round table where about seven people were already sitting.
They were listening to a man speak. I sat down and also listened as he gave a brief explanation of
some Buddhist principles. He spoke of compassion and understanding being the way of
Buddhism. He also talked about meditation.
He explained that we as a group would be going downstairs to meditate seated for 25
minutes, participate in a walking meditation and then listen to a recording. We then all lined up
and went downstairs to the basement. There in the basement I saw plenty of chairs, sofas, and
pillows both big and small on the floor. There were people already seated everywhere. They were
in chairs, on sofas and on the ground. We were all greeted with a bow from the various members.

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One of the new comers took a seat on the ground with the pillows and among the
Buddhist members. Most of us sat in the chairs that were lined up in two rows. The new comer
that sat with the members on a large pillow on the floor was soon approached by a member. The
member came up to him and said Hey, I see you took my seat. The new comer responded with
an apology. He stated, Oh, Im sorry Ill move. The member quickly said No dude, its okay
were all about unattachment here.
There was a black man that headed the meditation service. He had a golden singing bowl
(which is a type of bell) with a golden striker (which is a type of mallet) these items sat before
him. He told us again of the meditations that would take place along with the final event of
listening to the recording. This recording would be from a Buddhist master. The master would
speak on conflict vs. non conflict.
Before the meditation began we read from a packet. This packet was the Buddhist
dharma. A dharma is the cosmic law order; teachings of Buddha. He read the first line and then
every one followed in unison after. We read the Metta Sutta; this is a selection from the packet.
After reading we then prepared for meditation.
They turned off the lights only a single candle was lit. As I looked in front of me one by
one people began to close their eyes. Then I shut my eyes as well trying to concentrate. I tried to
concentrate on my breathing as thoughts flew through my head. I wondered were others having
as hard of a time concentrating as I was.
After about ten minutes I opened my eyes and began to look at those around me. I
wondered what they were thinking about. I know part of Buddhism or spirituality in general is
about energy so I wondered how much energy was being created and what kind. I wondered

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were they positive or negative thoughts? I also thought about those at the RMHSNJ. I thought
how it made sense that they would reach out to this religion. This is a place to let your thoughts
run wild in a safe environment and release some negative thoughts. More and more thoughts
came in and out like waves of conscious and unconscious thoughts.
While my eyes were open I saw the black man leading the meditation look at his watch
once and then a few minutes later he looked again. I thought how could he reach full enlightment
or transcend with time as a limitation. Before I knew it I heard the sound of the singing bowl.
The bowl rang Bong, bong, bong. The third bong was a signal that our sitting meditation was
done.
Indirect Immersion
For my indirect experience I watched the movie Seven Years in Tibet directed by JeanJacques Annaud. This movie is about a white man named Heinrich Harrer (Brad Pitt) and his
meeting with a boy, the Dalai Lama. Harrer is on a mission to scale a mountain in Lhasa leaving
behind his wife and son. There is a war happening Harrer has endured a leg injury,
imprisonment, and other difficulties along the way. Harrer is headed to Northern India; he gets ill
while eating food that he stole from a sacred offering. He then heads towards Tibet where
foreigners are not welcome.
While in Tibet Harrer covers his face so that he wont be recognized. He steals food when
he arrives and is welcomed in from by the family he is stealing from. There he meets a woman
that fits him for clothes. He tries to impress her by showing off pictures of his accomplishments.
She explains that men in Tibet are not the men where he is from and are honored more if they
leave their boasting and self-centeredness behind.

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Harrer is spotted by the Dalai Lama via his telescope and says he would like to
meet the foreigner. Harrer is met by the mother and is told how to present himself in the presence
of the Dalai Lama like sitting lower than the Dalai Lama and bowing. When he sees the Dalai
Lama he bows excessively which is funny to the Dalai Lama. Harrer sits on the ground lower
than the Dalai Lama and then surprisingly when no one is around the Dalai Lama comes and sits
next to him.
The Dalai Lama is intrigued by the ways of the western world and wants to know all he
can from Harrer. The Dalai Lama asks Harrer to build him a movie theater. Harrer enlists the
help of the local men to complete this project and learns a lot. These workers say they cannot dig
because there are worms in the soil, which could hold the spirit of a passed relative. Harrer learns
many other lessons while being with the Dalai Lama and becomes more self-reflective. Gaining
insight into his selfish ways he learns to be compassionate and regrets his prior behavior. He
grows spiritually and emotionally.
Some time after Harrers friendship has grown with the Dalai Lama it is heard via radio
that the Chinese plan on attacking Tibet. The Dalai Lama reveals a dream he had to Harrer that
the Chinese had come and attacked Tibet, burned monks and were closing in. Harrer dismisses
the Dalai Lamas concern stating it was only a dream. Unfortunately, this dream does soon
become a reality.
The Chinese take over and fly their flag in Tibet. Even with this take over the Dalai Lama
is officially consecrated as the divine ruler of Tibet. Harrer and the Dalai Lama say their good
byes and pray together. Harrer goes back home and leaves a gift for his son. He learns so much

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about life and the importance of family and others above his ego. At the end Harrer climbs the
top of a mountain planting a Tibetan flag.
Summary of Immersion
From my experiences both direct and indirect I have learned a lot about Buddhism. In the
direct immersion I learned a lot about the meditation aspect of Buddhism. The ability meditation
gives you to relax and calm your mind is much needed. Also coming to terms with unattachment.
These traits are both needed when thinking about the families that are served at the Ronald
McDonald House of Southern New Jersey. With a sick child it would make sense for families to
reach out to spirituality.
Being a Buddhist would not only give you time to reflect on what is wrong but also gives
the opportunity to focus on things that are right. It would give you moments for appreciation and
gratitude. These moments are needed for the population at RMHSNJ to be able to put things into
perspective. Also having a community you can turn to in difficult times to possibly resolves
some of your meaning of life questions would also be a great thing to have when your innocent
child is sick and life doesnt make sense.
In my indirect experience with watching the movie Seven Years in Tibet I learned
about the history of the Dalai Lama and the about the Tibetan Buddhist. I also learned about the
people who follow Buddhism and their views on spirituality and life. The example of the worms
showed how Buddhist value all forms of life. This type of ideology helps the Buddhist
population at RMHSNJ know that we are all connected and how each life should be honored.
Also in the movie Harrer was able to give up his attachment of his own desires, this mindset

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would also help the population at RMHSNJ in giving up what their life for that of their childrens
lives.
Application of cultural knowledge
The Ronald McDonald House of SJ (RMHSNJ), 550 Mickle Blvd, Camden, NJ 08103.
The Community: Walking around the neighborhood is like any other poor urban
community. The Ronald McDonald house is downtown so the area directly around it is clean and
is right next door to Cooper Hospital. However, if you walk about two blocks down you will find
trash, dilapidated sidewalks and drug addicts. The neighborhood has the typical bodegas on
every other corner. Camden is made up of predominantly African American and Hispanics. It is
not the most welcoming place as people give stares and offer loose cigarettes and bus passes for
sale as you walk by.
Access: You can access RMHSNJ with either personal or public transportation. Directly
across from the RMHSNJ you will find the Walter Rand transportation center, this where the
Patco speed line comes through. It takes you anywhere between Philadelphia and Lindenwold,
NJ. You will also find buses that take you all over NJ and Philadelphia. In addition, there is also
the River Line; this train takes you from Camden through Burlington County area to Trenton.
Lastly, you will see taxis that will take you wherever you want as well. This area is like a hub for
transportation.

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Receptivity: The facility is secured so you have to be let in by a staff member. The door is
always answered with a smiling face. As Clients come into the building they are placed in the
waiting are that is decorated with red white and blue. The spacious room has plenty of
comfortable seating in the form of leather sofas. There is also a fireplace and a piano in the room.
The waiting room is like a family room in your own home. According to the season you might
see the room decorated for the holidays. This area is relatively quiet.
Once in the client leaves the waiting room they are greeted by the guest services manager
that handles the check-ins. This room is average size for an office where there are two desk
areas. The main desk has two chairs that sit in front for the clients, these seats are not as
comfortable as the leather sofas but have a vinyl frame around it with a fabric backing and seat
cushion. From the time they are greeted to the time they leave there are only smiles from both
the clients and staff. It is emphasized in the organization that we are a home away from home for
these families during such a difficult time.
If I were a Buddhist coming into the RMHSNJ I would feel very comfortable. The map
inside the check-in room has Asia marked on the map to show that we service that area. This is
important as much of the Buddhist population comes from this area. There is also staff that takes
steps to learn the language so to be able to communicate with the Asian population. And
although this population may not be reflected in the staff they are reflected in the brochures and
on the websites.
Administration and Staff Training: The administration and staff at the RMHSNJ has not
extended any training to me in reference to diversity. Perhaps that may be due to being only an
intern. However, there have been meetings previously when discussing the language barrier of

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the Asian population. Although, there is not staff from the Buddhist or Asian background they
are members of the volunteer staff, which interact with the families in the RMHSNJ.
Funding: At this time the RMHSNJ uses the majority of their funding for the operation of
the whole house. The services and programs that the RMHSNJ provides are not centered on any
particular ethnicity or religious affiliation.
Staff Sensitivity: I have found that RMHSNJ is sensitive to the needs of all their clients.
When the clients are seeking spiritual guidance RMHSNJ has helped locate temples in the area.
It has been told to me by the guest services manager that she has had to help the families in the
past locate these temples and has done so with Google. There has been nothing but respect for
the Buddhist population.
Agency program and services
Effort: The RMHSNJ has not reached out to Buddhist specifically but has not excluded
them either. They have a diverse population on their board in terms of background, which could
include Buddhist, as religion is not a criterion in order to be a part of the organization or on a
committee.
Quality: The RMHSNJ does not discriminate based on religion. They accept all
ethnicities and religions. Their programs are not based around any religion.
Effectiveness: The Ronald McDonald house does not hold the number of Buddhist that
they serve. The Asian population being served by the RMHSNJ is 5% however, that does not
automatically mean they practice Buddhism. Although, their programs do not target religions the
programs still service those from the Buddhist background. The catchment area population is not

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served by the RMHSNJ, as you have to live at least 35 miles away in order to be eligible for
services.
Efficiency: The RMHSNJ does not directly work with other agencies to service the
Buddhist population. However, they do refer clients the Buddhist to temples if needed.
NASW Standards for cultural competence
Standard 10
Standard 10. Human service professionals provide services without discrimination or
preference in regards to age, ethnicity, culture, race, ability, gender, language preference,
religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, nationality, or other historically oppressed
groups (National Association of Human Services, 2015).
Agency: The Ronald McDonald House of SNJ provides services to clients worldwide
they do so without discrimination. They are ranked the second nonprofit worldwide and pride
themselves in that fact. They believe everyone deserves their services equally.
Programs and Services: Although there is an atmosphere in the organization that
promotes equality for differences perhaps providing cultural diversity training would be
something to look into for new hires. Also since the RMHSNJ serves clients from all over the
globe they may want to include brochures and other material in various languages.
Personal Cultural Competencies: Working with many cultures on at the RMHSNJ has
given me an appreciation for the uniqueness we all bring. Understanding that although we have
different backgrounds, languages, cultures and experiences we are all human and deserve to be
treated with decency. Especially working with families that have sick children compassion is
something that is understood and appreciated on all worldwide.

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Standard 7
Standard 7. Human service professionals ensure that their values or biases are not
imposed upon their clients (National Association of Human Services, 2015).
Agency: The RMHSNJ makes sure that they do not interfere with their clients when it
comes to religion or any other topic for that matter. They are willing to provide any services
needed to make the client feel comfortable. We give information for whatever church or temple
is needed and make.
Programs and Services: All the programs are to help the families who have sick children.
How these families go about grieving or understanding their childs sickness is always heard by
staff without judgment.
Personal Cultural Competencies: I know that when dealing with the various populations
to be careful not to push my values on others. Not everyone has had the same experience even if
similar in nature it would not be fair to have an expectation for them to react in a way that I
might think is right.
Final Thoughts: Truly understanding and respecting one another is sometimes a difficult
thing for everyone. We often have an ego that says our way is right as well as a country that
promotes that same notion. It is up to the individuals especially if you plan on working in the
human services field to grasp the fact that others have much to offer if you take time to look into
them and not through them. Extending ones self and coming out of ones comfort zone to learn a
new language, background or tradition not only shows respect for others but also for ones self.

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Reference
AboutBuddhism.(n.d.).RetrievedApril6,2016,fromhttp://www.aboutbuddhism.org/history
ofbuddhism.htm/
Demographics of Buddhism. (n.d.). (2016), Retrieved from
http://berkleycenter.georgetown.edu/essays/demographics-of-buddhism
National Association of Human Services (2015). Ethical Standards for Human Service
Professionals. Retrieved from http://www.nationalhumanservices.org/ethical-standardsfor-hs-professionals
Williams, J.H. (Producer), & Director, Annaud, J. J. (Director). (1997). Seven Years in Tibet
[Motion picture]. United States: Mandalay Entertainment