about
Hi hi, my name is Aerin and I’m a poet, artist, and Buddhist chaplain. For almost twenty years now I’ve lived and worked in the five borough pure land of NYC on occupied Lenape lands. I have a non-denominational chaplaincy clinic in person and online under the guidance of my heart teacher Lama Justin von Bujdoss.
Through the kindness of my gurus and teachers, I’ve been invited into lineages of Buddhist wise women, deep listeners, and contemplatives. Although I still have a long way to go on the dharma path, I’m grateful for the peace, resilience, blessings, and adaptability the teachings of the Buddha have nurtured in my life and hope to share these blessings with others through the practice of spiritual friendship.
My work is inspired by my elders, the sacred landscape of the big city, and diverse folk traditions. I am an animist and aspiring yogini in relationship with the resilience of weeds, the creative life-force of the elements, and the compassion of the Three Jewels of the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha. I pray I can honor their example by shining love and clarity on whoever shares space with me.
lineage
Lineage is the living web of love and wisdom tying spiritual family together across time and space. This family resources my heart and helps me to resource others, it also provides a sense of community and shared history – like a string of prayer beads bound with the braided threads of gurus whispering sacred teachings to their disciples, one after another back to the time of the historical Buddha and beyond.
My practice is guided by the knowledge and kindness of Lama Justin von Bujdoss and Dr. Nida Chenagtsang, connecting me with the traditions of the Kagyu, Shije, and Yuthok Nyingthig Buddhist traditions. I have also been blessed to receive teachings from the healing yogini Drukmo Gyal and 2nd Kalu Rimpoche among others.
Through these precious mentors, I am a student of the timeless examples of Indian and Himalayan wisdom-keepers, yogins, and healers. They have helped me see that some of the greatest teachers are the inevitable traumas, dramas, and simple joys of life unfolding all around us and the other-than-human beings we share this world with.
Lineage also extends beyond dharma family into the sacred circle of queer family. As a trans woman, I find inspiration in the many trans aunties and sisters, fairies and queers that have paved the way for women like me to live our truth. I hope to honor the lives of all these lineage elders by serving others with fierce love, generosity, compassion, patience, and insight.
ethics statement
I am dedicated to honoring the vast ethic of the bodhisattva which calls for the spiritual liberation of all beings through the union of compassion and wisdom.
My understanding of this liberation operates on outer and inner levels, recognizing that the outer component of our material circumstances, trauma, and privilege can impact our spiritual wellbeing. Likewise, our spiritual resilience and inner sense of freedom can positively impact our ability to weather the inevitable changes in fortune, health, and access life offers.
I am also committed to the authenticity of the Indian and Himalayan spiritual teachings I have received from my mentors. While the work I do as a chaplain is my own and informed by my life experiences, it’s rooted in these ancient traditions and the guidance of my gurus, Buddhist scriptures, and philosophy. This ensures I’m acting with integrity and a firm spiritual and ethical foundation, rather than arbitrary opinions and projections.