Vision and Values

Karuna’s vision is the creation of a healthy community attitude in relation to death and dying and its mission is to promote hospice philosophy and provide hospice services to the members of our community who are affected by death and dying.

Karuna’s vision and values are based on the Buddhist philosophy of love and compassion.

They affirm:

* the preciousness of all life
* the value and worth of each individual; compassionate service
* empowerment of our clients; and responsibility for the well-being

We aim to help people do something as ordinary as dying, extraordinarily well. We believe that this service is best provided in a healthy and supportive community where death, dying and bereavement can be openly discussed and accepted.

Karuna’s philosophy is expressed through:

• our hospice at-home program focusing on holistic client-centred care;

• community and professional education programs on end of life issues;

• community participation; and

• hospital/general practitioner/community services collaboration.

Karuna staff and volunteers come from diverse faiths and spiritual traditions but all express universal qualities of compassion, loving kindness, equanimity and respect for the preciousness of life in their own ways. Karuna is committed to treating the beliefs of clients with respect and to meeting their needs with compassion.

The name ‘Karuna’ is an ancient Sanskrit word meaning ‘compassion’. The Karuna lotus logo symbolises our potential for enlightenment through compassionate action. In its efforts to work for the benefit of others, Karuna strives to follow the example of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in his compassionate service to humanity.

Karuna follows international best practice principles in all aspects of care.

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