THE HSWAGATA BUDDHA TOOTH RELIC PRESERVATION MUSEUM
FOR INTERNAL USE ONLY
Template No.: T126
Template Title: Custodian Vocation Application & Interview Form
Related Research Case IDs / Cluster: ___________________________
(e.g. Cluster B – Non-Human Guardians & Vocation, Cases 11–20)
Linked Templates / Policies: _________________________________
(e.g. T127–T130 Screening Forms; Institutional Policies for Relic Stewardship at HSWAGATA)
Date of form: ____ / ____ / ______
Prepared by / Role: _______________________
Office / Unit: ____________________________
Country / Location: _______________________
Confidentiality Level:
Internal only [ ] Restricted [ ] Sacred-Restricted / Sensitive [ ]
Use of this form (tick):
New case / action [ ] Follow-up [ ] Annual review [ ] Archive only [ ]
BODY OF TEMPLATE
SECTION 1 – APPLICANT DETAILS (to be filled by applicant)
1.1 Personal Information
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Full name: __________________________________________
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Monastic / Lay status (tick):
[ ] Bhikkhu [ ] Bhikkhunī [ ] Sāmaṇera / Sāmaṇerī
[ ] Layman [ ] Laywoman -
Buddhist tradition / lineage (if any): ____________________
-
Main teacher(s): ______________________________________
-
Date of birth: ____ / ____ / ______
-
Nationality: ______________________
-
Contact address: _____________________________________
-
Phone / email: _______________________________________
1.2 Current Role
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Present occupation or main work: ________________________
-
Present role (if any) in relics / heritage / temple work:
-
Primary language(s): ___________________________________
SECTION 2 – BACKGROUND
2.1 Family and Social Background
(Short description. 3–5 sentences.)
-
Please describe your family situation (marital status, main dependants, if any):
-
Important social or community roles you hold:
2.2 Education and Training
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General education (school / university / technical, if any):
-
Religious education (monastic training, Dhamma courses, Pāli, etc.):
2.3 Experience in Relic or Heritage Work
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Have you ever worked with relics, temples, museums or sacred sites?
[ ] Yes [ ] No
If yes, please give details (place, dates, responsibilities):
SECTION 3 – MOTIVATION AND VOCATION
3.1 Basic Motivation Statement
(In simple words, 5–10 lines.)
-
Why do you wish to serve as a relic custodian (or assistant custodian) at HSWAGATA?
3.2 Sense of Vocation (Calling)
(Tick all that apply.)
When I think about this role, I feel:
[ ] A simple wish to serve the Buddha, Dhamma, and Saṅgha
[ ] A duty to repay my teacher(s) and benefactors
[ ] A special “inner calling” or voice of conscience
[ ] A strong wish to protect faith and culture
[ ] A wish to gain knowledge and experience
[ ] Other (please explain):
________________________________________________
3.3 Dreams, Visions, and “Guardian” Stories (if any)
Note: HSWAGATA respects personal spiritual stories. We see them mainly as symbolic and personal. We do not use them as proof of special powers or holiness. Please write simply and honestly.
-
Have you ever had any dream, vision, or strange event that you feel relates to relics, devas, yakkhas, or guardians?
[ ] Yes [ ] No
If yes, please describe briefly:
What happened?
How did you feel?
What lesson did you learn for your life and service?
-
How do you understand this experience now?
[ ] As a personal reminder to be honest and careful
[ ] As encouragement to serve and protect relics
[ ] As a warning against greed, anger, or pride
[ ] I am not sure
[ ] Other: _______________________________________
SECTION 4 – PRACTICE HISTORY (DHAMMA, VINAYA, MEDITATION)
4.1 Dhamma and Vinaya Practice
-
For how many years have you been practising as a Buddhist?
______ years -
Please tick the practices you follow regularly:
[ ] Five precepts
[ ] Eight or ten precepts on observance days
[ ] Full monastic discipline (Pātimokkha)
[ ] Daily chanting / sutta reading
[ ] Regular meditation (at home or in retreat) -
Have you studied any of the following? (tick)
[ ] Basic Dhamma (Four Noble Truths, Noble Eightfold Path)
[ ] Vinaya or monastic rules (for monks/nuns)
[ ] Abhidhamma or mental factors
[ ] Other Buddhist texts: __________________________
4.2 Meditation and Inner Training
-
Main meditation method(s) you use (e.g. mindfulness of breathing, loving-kindness, insight):
-
How often do you meditate?
[ ] Every day [ ] Several times per week
[ ] Sometimes [ ] Rarely -
Do you have a regular meditation teacher or guide?
[ ] Yes [ ] No
If yes, name: ________________________________
4.3 Ethics and Inner Guardians
In Buddhist teaching, hiri-ottappa (moral shame and moral fear) are like inner guardians that protect the mind from wrong actions.
-
When you make a mistake, how do you usually respond?
[ ] I try to hide it
[ ] I feel regret and try to correct it
[ ] I blame others
[ ] I seek guidance and make amends -
Please give one example where you corrected yourself after seeing a fault:
SECTION 5 – SELF-REFLECTION ON MOTIVES AND RISKS
This section is based on screening questions used in Cluster B vocation cases (e.g. Hemavata “test” model). It helps us see if a person is ready to hold relics without greed, anger, or confusion.
5.1 Honest Questions
Please answer in your own words.
-
Why do I want to handle or protect relics?
-
If I am not chosen as custodian now, how will I respond?
[ ] I will feel angry or hurt
[ ] I will feel sad but accept the decision
[ ] I will keep serving in other ways
[ ] Other: ________________________________________ -
Do I see any of these in my mind when I think of relics?
-
Greed for fame or power:
[ ] Not present [ ] A little [ ] Strong -
Jealousy of other custodians:
[ ] Not present [ ] A little [ ] Strong -
Desire for money or control of donations:
[ ] Not present [ ] A little [ ] Strong
-
Please explain honestly:
5.2 Accountability and Transparency
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Are you willing to:
[ ] Report your actions to a committee or board
[ ] Follow written rules about relic handling, keys, and money
[ ] Accept regular reviews of your work
[ ] Step down if serious faults are found
If you tick “No” to any, please explain why:
SECTION 6 – WELLBEING OF CUSTODIAN
HSWAGATA wants custodians to be healthy in body and mind so that they can serve for a long time.
6.1 Physical Health
-
Do you have any health conditions that may limit heavy work, travel, or long ceremonies?
[ ] No [ ] Yes (please explain):
6.2 Mental and Emotional Health
-
In the last 12 months, have you experienced strong stress, burnout, depression, or anxiety?
[ ] No [ ] Yes (brief notes, if you wish):
-
Who supports you when you feel stressed or tired?
[ ] Teacher / preceptor
[ ] Family
[ ] Friends / community
[ ] Counsellor / doctor
[ ] Other: _______________________________________
6.3 Time and Boundaries
-
How many hours per week can you realistically give to relic work, without harming your health, family duties, or other vows?
______ hours per week -
Are you able to rest and take days off when needed?
[ ] Yes [ ] No [ ] Not sure
Comments:
SECTION 7 – REFEREE DETAILS (to be filled by referee, not applicant)
At least one referee is required for new applicants. A referee should know the applicant well for at least 3 years.
7.1 Referee Information
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Full name: ________________________________________
-
Monastic / Lay status: ______________________________
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Position / role: ____________________________________
-
Relationship to applicant: ___________________________
-
How long have you known the applicant? __________ years
7.2 Referee Statement
In your view, is this person suitable to work close to sacred relics?
Please comment on: honesty, humility, discipline, willingness to learn, and ability to work with others.
-
Do you see any risks (for example: pride, anger, money problems, serious conflicts)?
[ ] No [ ] Yes (please explain):
Signature of referee: ____________________ Date: ____ / ____ / ______
SECTION 8 – INTERVIEW NOTES (to be completed by interview panel)
8.1 Interview Details
-
Date of interview: ____ / ____ / ______
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Place: ____________________________________________
-
Panel members (names and roles):
-
8.2 Summary of Applicant
-
Key strengths (motivation, ethics, practice):
-
Concerns or risks (if any):
8.3 Panel Assessment (tick and/or score)
A. Motivation
[ ] Mainly service and faith
[ ] Mixed motives
[ ] Mainly status / benefit
B. Ethical clarity and humility in speech about spiritual topics
[ ] Speaks clearly, with humility and disclaimers
[ ] Needs guidance
[ ] Risk of self-promotion / sensational claims
C. Practice history (Dhamma, Vinaya, meditation)
[ ] Strong and stable
[ ] Moderate
[ ] Weak / unclear
D. Wellbeing and capacity for duty
[ ] Healthy and stable
[ ] Some stress / limits
[ ] Serious concern
Optional 1–5 scores:
-
Overall suitability (1 = low, 5 = high): 1 2 3 4 5
-
Need for further training before appointment (1 = low, 5 = high): 1 2 3 4 5
8.4 Recommended Relic Role (panel view)
[ ] Primary Relic Custodian
[ ] Assistant Custodian
[ ] Trainee Custodian (probation)
[ ] Support role only (e.g. guard, cleaner, guide)
[ ] Not suitable for relic-related roles at this time
Conditions or training required (if any):
SECTION 9 – DECISION AND FOLLOW-UP
(To be completed by the authorised body: Board / Office / Committee.)
9.1 Decision
[ ] Approved as: _________________________________
[ ] Approved with conditions (see below)
[ ] Deferred – review again on: ____ / ____ / ______
[ ] Not approved
9.2 Conditions and Training Plan
-
Required trainings (tick as needed):
[ ] Ethics of relic custodianship
[ ] Handling and security procedures
[ ] Communication about visionary / guardian stories
[ ] Stress management and wellbeing
[ ] Other: _______________________________________ -
Mentor / supervisor assigned: ______________________
9.3 Signatures
Chair / authorised officer: ___________________________
Date: ____ / ____ / ______
Panel representative: _______________________________
Date: ____ / ____ / ______
File location / code: ________________________________
