Spring 2021 Chaplain Interview Series: Hindu Advisor Dr. Preeta Banerjee

Summary

In this interview, Dr. Preeta Banerjee, a Hindu chaplain at Tufts University, shares her journey from a business school professor to a spiritual advisor. She emphasizes the importance of breath, connection with nature, and the diversity within Hinduism. Dr. Banerjee discusses the significance of pastoral care, aiming to embrace diversity and find common ground among different faiths. She also shares her memorable experiences, including interfaith events and her love for travel, martial arts, and art.

Takeaways

• 😀 Dr. Preeta Banerjee is a Hindu advisor and chaplain at Tufts University, who was born and brought up in the United States as the daughter of immigrants.
• 🎓 She pursued a career in business, earning a PhD from Wharton and becoming a business school professor and corporate executive before transitioning to chaplaincy.
• 🌿 Dr. Banerjee emphasizes the importance of breath and connecting with nature, drawing from the Hindu concept of the elements and the importance of community.
• 🙏 She describes pastoral care as being present with individuals, acknowledging the diversity within Hinduism, and supporting people in exploring their beliefs.
• 🌟 Dr. Banerjee wishes for the chaplaincy at Tufts to foster an environment where individuals can embrace their complexities and diversities without tension.
• 🕊 She had a memorable experience during the one-year anniversary of a significant event, which involved interfaith celebration and appreciation.
• 🎤 Outside of her chaplaincy work, Dr. Banerjee enjoys singing, martial arts, and has a black belt in taekwondo.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 She is a mother of two young children and enjoys activities like tickle contests and exploring various forms of art.
• ✈️ Dr. Banerjee has traveled extensively, making friends around the world, with a recent memorable trip to Melbourne, Australia.
• 🔥 She has been in touch with friends from Australia, offering support during significant events such as the bushfires, highlighting the importance of global unity.

Q & A

What was Dr. Prieta Banerjee's background before becoming a chaplain?

Dr. Prieta Banerjee grew up in the Midwest, born and brought up in the United States as the daughter of immigrants. She pursued a PhD at Wharton and became a business school professor and corporate executive before realizing her passion for service in accompaniment, friendship, making meaning, and building community.

Why did Dr. Banerjee decide to change her career to chaplaincy?

Dr. Banerjee felt her service was more about accompaniment, helping make meaning, and building community, which she felt were lacking in her previous roles. She wanted to become what she needed and saw a need for in the world.

What is one ritual practice that Dr. Banerjee finds important?

Dr. Banerjee emphasizes the importance of breath and grounding in the knowledge of Mother Earth, known as 'Bhoomi Mata'. She also mentions extending arms like trees to connect with the elements of water, earth, fire, air, and ether.

How does Dr. Banerjee describe pastoral care?

Pastoral care for Dr. Banerjee means being present with the person or people she is with, exploring what it means to be with them in their diversity, and recognizing that diversity as a strength, especially in a world that is trying to embrace complexity.

What does Dr. Banerjee wish more students knew about pastoral care?

Dr. Banerjee wishes more students knew that Hinduism is not a monolith and that there are many ways to be Hindu. She encourages students to embrace their complexities and diversities and to find beauty in the and, not just the or.

What is Dr. Banerjee's vision for the future of the Tufts University chaplaincy?

Dr. Banerjee envisions a future where everyone at Tufts University can lean into their complexities and diversities, embracing practices from different faiths and finding ways to coexist and practice together without tension.

What was Dr. Banerjee's most memorable moment as a chaplain at Tufts?

Dr. Banerjee's most memorable moment was the interfaith celebration and appreciation during the one-year anniversary of a significant event, which was a powerful experience of community and grief.

What are some of Dr. Banerjee's hobbies or interests outside of chaplaincy?

Dr. Banerjee enjoys singing, is a black belt in taekwondo, loves art in any form, and has a fondness for travel and making friends around the world.

What is a fun fact about Dr. Banerjee's travel experiences?

Dr. Banerjee has traveled to many places and has made lasting friendships through chance encounters in different countries. One of her most recent and memorable trips was to Melbourne, Australia, where she made best friends and stayed in touch, even supporting them during the fires that occurred there.

How does Dr. Banerjee feel about the role of interfaith events at Tufts?

Dr. Banerjee appreciates the role of interfaith events at Tufts, as they provide a grounded space for community members to come together, think about significant events, and process them in an open and collective way.