Ethics Guidelines for Empty Hand Zen Center
Adopted May 2, 2012 by the EHZC Board of Directors
To avoid all harm, to cultivate good, and to purify the mind. This is the teaching of the Buddhas.
-The Dhammapada
Introduction
The intimacy of Zen practice -- teachers and students, dharma friend and dharma friend -- is a source of great joy in the Empty Hand Zen Center sangha. The Bodhisattva Precepts serve as our guide along the path of right speech, right conduct, and relationships. Practice is based on trust, safety, respect, and true communication. The sangha jewel is formed of such relationships. We offer the following to nurture an atmosphere where people can practice without fear or distraction, where dharma comes first. We acknowledge that difficulties may arise among members related to power differentials. Differences of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, and physical disability require particular awareness and sensitivity. This document provides the broad principles for how this sangha integrates the precepts in coping with conflicts and ethical issues. A companion document, the Ethics and Reconciliation Procedures, provides more detailed and specific guidance.
Ethics and Reconciliation (EAR) Committee
In the course of daily sangha interactions, disagreements, conflicts, misunderstandings and unethical behavior can occur. In some situations the ethics of a particular behavior may not be clear. The EAR Committee exists, first and foremost, to assist sangha members when they are not sure about their own ethical course in unclear situations. Sangha members are encouraged to bring concerns to any member of the EAR Committee for consultation, support, and advice. When ethical dilemmas present themselves, usually the earlier one seeks consultation the better, but sangha members may seek such consultation at any time. In some cases a meeting with a single member of the EAR Committee may be sufficient to clarify the issues involved; in other situations either the sangha member or the EAR Committee member may wish to consult with the entire Committee. Among the situations where consultation with a member of the EAR Committee is warranted are: those involving inappropriate sexual behavior; abusive conduct or harassment; incompetence that threatens the sangha; and use of position for personal gain or exploitation. In certain situations it is unethical to do nothing. The following conduct must be brought to the attention of the EAR Committee: misappropriation of sangha funds; or gross and harmful incompetence in performance of an EHZC position.
Relationships within the Sangha
Our practice at EHZC can be warmhearted and close, but it is important to remember that with the intimacy of practice, confusion regarding sexuality, power and confidentiality may arise in ways that can harm practitioners and the sangha if not dealt with skillfully. Desires of all kinds are part of life. Rather than allowing desires to control us, leading to suffering, it is our intention to be compassionately aware of these feelings while returning to our original vow to awaken with all beings, and to practice spiritual friendship at EHZC and in the wider world. Following are comments regarding specific types of relationships within our sangha:
Teacher Relationships to Students
Over the years, as we look at ourselves and other practice communities, we have come to understand that spiritual and psychological harm can often result when teachers and students become sexually involved, violate trusts, or use power and/or position for personal gain or manipulation. Such harm can damage the whole community. At Empty Hand Zen Center, all the priests and the lay practice leaders (i.e. lay leaders who offer practice discussion and/or give dharma talks) have made a commitment to conduct relationships in accord with the Bodhisattva precepts. Because of this commitment, the responsibility for maintaining appropriate and clear boundaries always rests with the priest/practice leader. They will respect and protect the personal autonomy of all students, and refrain from sexual involvement with students. If a priest/lay practice leader decides nevertheless to pursue a sexual relationship with another sangha member, a process will be initiated to determine what changes in her/his role in the community may be necessary. It is in the interest of all concerned that both parties first seek guidance and counsel from either his/her teacher or the EAR Committee.
Relationships with students new to EHZC
We want to offer an environment where new practitioners can develop their own relationship with practice and with the sangha, free from discrimination or social pressure, and we request that all EHZC members be mindful of the benefit for a new student in not being distracted from the primary activity of establishing her or his own practice. As one specific support of that goal, all members in leadership positions -- members and officers of the EHZC Board of Directors, priests, lay practice leaders, and members of the EAR Committee -- make a commitment to refrain from all sexual involvement with new EHZC students, especially during their first year of practice.
Other aspects of Sangha life
Confidentiality
Dokusan, practice discussion, way-seeking mind talks, and discussions within dharma groups are venues for sharing highly sensitive personal information. Honoring the dialogue between teachers and students is a foundation of personal and sangha relations. Teachers are expected to maintain confidentiality among themselves about matters raised in dokusan or practice discussion. Students are expected to refrain from idle talk about matters brought up in dokusan and practice discussion, and to respect confidences shared in way-seeking mind talks, or dharma groups. Confidentiality is the basis of mutual trust between student and teacher. However, for the well-being of individuals and of the sangha, there are times when teachers and/or practice leaders need to consult about confidential matters raised in practice discussion. Such consultations are never done lightly, and only as much information is shared as is needed to clarify and bring harmony to the situation at hand. The consultations themselves are kept confidential. Such consultations are required where a serious ethical breach has occurred or where specific reporting laws apply (see EAR Committee section).
Therapists and Helping Professionals
Sangha members are discouraged from using the community as a source of business or professional clients. We request that EHZC teachers and sangha members who work as psychotherapists, physicians or attorneys avoid entering into professional relationships with sangha members. Others in the helping professions are asked to be sensitive to the delicate balance between worker and client, and the possible complexity of dual relationships when both parties practice at the same dharma center.
Mindful Speech
In a small community great harm can come from speech that is inconsistent with the precepts. Mutual respect and trust are built when all sangha members speak truthfully and compassionately with the intent to be helpful, and observe the clear mind precepts regarding right speech: refraining from lies, gossip (self-serving talk), slander, angry or abusive speech, and apportioning blame. When a conflict arises it is best to address it directly with the other person. Sometimes, however, it may be wise to discuss this with a teacher or practice leader to assist in developing a more skillful approach. It may also be useful to have a neutral third person involved in an attempt to resolve a conflict, if a one-to-one attempt has failed. In these situations, mindful discussion with a dharma friend who is not a teacher can also be useful. However, we discourage sharing a concern widely in order to gain support for one’s position, since this can foster conflict rather than reconciliation.
Recourse – Bringing Informal or Formal Complaints
(see Ethics Procedures for details)
Maintaining the well being of the sangha is the mutual responsibility of all members. If you feel that the guidelines discussed here are not being observed, or simply wish to share your discomfort, we request that you bring your concerns to the attention of one of the teachers or a member of EHZC’s EAR Committee. Your questions will be taken seriously and examined according to a principled and confidential process. We hope that diligent inquiry, honesty, compassion, and openness will strengthen the sangha and support our wonderful Zen practice for many years to come.
Informal complaint: A member is advised to bring an informal complaint when there is a conflict or confusing situation for which they would like to seek a reconciliation process.
Formal complaint: The purpose of a formal complaint is to investigate and adjudicate a possible serious breach of these ethical guidelines.
The EAR Committee has authority to remove a person from a practice position or leadership role at EHZC for ethical misconduct, or to designate other appropriate consequences. The authority for such actions is vested primarily in the EAR Committee by the Board of Directors, but it must secure the additional agreement of at least one of the following: the Abbot or an EHZC Board officer. In cases where serious consequences are indicated, efforts will be made to maintain the confidentiality of the involved parties; however, it cannot be guaranteed. The EAR Committee will consult with senior members of the EHZC community and/or others as it deems necessary to provide for the safety, welfare, and harmony of the sangha.