STATEMENT OF ETHICAL PRINCIPLES AND PROCEDURES
PREFACE
The intent of this statement is to nourish and protect
the treasure of Sangha; to promote harmonious relationships among all its
members and participants; and to lead to the spiritual growth of each participant.
A compassionate standard of behavior is expected from everyone who participates
in Great Tree (GT) activities. This standard is based on respect for each
person as a unique expression of Buddha nature regardless of age, race,
gender, ethnic background, appearance, sexual orientation, physical abilities,
political beliefs, social class, or occupation.
ETHICAL PRINCIPLES
The principles that guide our actions as Zen Buddhist practitioners are the Sixteen Bodhisattva Precepts. They are:
The Three Refuges:
We take refuge in Buddha
We take refuge in Dharma
We take refuge in Sangha
The Three Pure Precepts:
To do no evil
To do good
To live to benefit all beings
The Ten Prohibitory Precepts:
It is our sincere intention to realign our lives continually in accord with these precepts.
Appropriate action. We aspire to relationships that are characterized by appropriate action; relationships based on trust, cooperation, openness to differences, good communication, fairness, kindness, and respect. The Sangha cultivates these qualities as the practice of keeping the precepts and developing good dharma friendships.
Inappropriate action. Inappropriate action is harmful to others and ourselves. It may include physical violence, sexual misconduct or harassment, drug and substance abuse, malicious gossip, extreme or regular displays of anger, insults or demeaning comments, and manipulative or duplicitous speech or action. Persons who encounter inappropriate actions from any member of the Great TreeSangha -- including its teachers and senior instructors -- or who themselves practice such conduct, should be aware that these actions violate the spirit of the precepts and the practice of appropriate action.
Student/teacher relationships. A teacher at Great Tree is anyone involved in an instructional capacity. This includes the Abbess and anyone designated by the Abbess to serve as an instructor or mentor for newer students. This includes those giving zazen instruction, teaching Intro to Zen workshops, and leading study groups. Student/teacher relationships should be based on mutual respect, compassion, and kindness. We acknowledge the inequality inherent in such a relationship and the power issues involved.
We specifically acknowledge the great harm, both psychological and spiritual, that results from teachers becoming sexually involved with their students, both for the teacher and student involved and for the community as a whole. We, therefore, consider it unethical for a teacher to engage in sexual behavior with her or his student.
We furthermore expect all who participate at GT to follow these guidelines:
1) If a teacher and/or student feel at risk of violating the above ethical principle, they should suspend their teacher-student relationship at least until they have sought counsel with a senior teacher.
2) It is considered a misuse of sexuality for a teacher to form a sexual relationship with a former student within twelve months of the termination of the student-teacher relationship.
3) Any teacher considering forming a sexual relationship with another GT participant should discuss the appropriateness of the relationship with a senior teacher.
Procedures for addressing inappropriate action. We are committed to solving problems and resolving differences that may arise from inappropriate action. If a person believes that they have been inappropriately treated and seeks resolution, the following steps may be taken:
Informal Resolution.
1) The aggrieved person should directly contact the person (s) who has (have) allegedly acted inappropriately and make an effort to reach an understanding and to resolve differences.
2) If the grievance is not resolved under step 1), the aggrieved person may request a meeting with the most senior priest not included in the grievance, the Chair of the Board of Directors (or other board member, if the Chair is involved in the grievance), and the person who has allegedly acted inappropriately to resolve the grievance.
If the parties are unable to reconcile under steps 1) and 2), the aggrieved person may proceed to step 3):
Informal Meeting.
3) The person filing the grievance should contact the Board Chair. If the Chair is named in the grievance, the most senior Zen Center Priest not named may be contacted. The person filing the grievance will provide the contact person with a written description of the alleged inappropriate action and the effort to resolve the matter informally in steps 1) and 2) above. The person who allegedly acted inappropriately shall respond to the allegation in writing to the contact person within one week. The contact person shall request a meeting with a third party trained in mediation practices to be held within four weeks of receipt of response, and shall include the person alleging the grievance and the person (s) who allegedly acted inappropriately. The mediator may contact and seek information from others who have knowledge relevant to the case under discussion. The meeting shall consist of an attempted mediation led by the mediator, and may be supplemented, if the parties agree, by a meeting with others who have knowledge relevant to the case under discussion. The mediation meeting shall result in a written statement of the position reached by the parties in the mediation process, and this statement will be given to the contact person who originally received the grievance.
If step 3) results in a statement resolving the grievance, a copy of the statement will be kept in Great Tree files.
If step 3) results in a statement that resolution has not been reached, the aggrieved person may proceed to step 4).
Reconciliation Council.
4) The person filing the grievance may notify the Board of Directors that they wish to proceed with the unresolved grievance. Thereupon, the Board will form a Reconciliation Council consisting of the Chair and another member of the board (or two other Board members if the Chair is named in the grievance), the most senior priest not named in the grievance, one person chosen by the person filing the grievance, and one person chosen by the person (s) who has allegedly acted inappropriately. After formation, The Council shall notify the concerned parties in writing, and all written records of actions heretofore filed shall be provided to the Council within two weeks of notification that they are needed. The Council shall set an appropriate date for a hearing within four weeks of receipt of the written records.
At the hearing, the Council shall hear the presentation of the person filing the grievance and the response of the person (s) who has allegedly acted inappropriately. The Council may also solicit views of other persons where that is deemed appropriate. Additional meetings may be called and may include the entire Sangha, should the Council deem them necessary.
The Council shall make a finding based on the above process.
The finding shall be written and shall be communicated to the person filing
the grievance and the person (s) allegedly behaving inappropriately within
four weeks of the completion of the reconciliation process.
The Reconciliation Council will keep written records of all meetings and
findings. These shall be kept on file at GT.
Atonement. Any person who acts inappropriately is expected to make every effort to realign their conduct in accord with the precepts and to take the actions necessary to restore the harmony of the Sangha and to mitigate harm done. Such atonement is an integral part of our spiritual practice.
CONFIDENTIALITY
Each student should feel free to explore the Dharma and study the self in an environment of trust and confidentiality. Personal information when made privately without the intent of further disclosure may be discussed with other clergy and only with the intent of benefiting the student.
Conversations with Priests or Dharma Teachers during Dokusan and Practice Discussion are privileged under the Law, but only when made privately without the intent of further disclosure, except to other persons present in furtherance of the purpose of the communication. Personal information offered at meetings, practice events, or Sangha gatherings is not confidential.
CONCLUSION
This statement was first issued on November 11, 2006 after being endorsed by the Board of Directors on November 11, 2006. It applies to all who practice, study, work, and teach at Great Tree and shall be kept on file at the temple and freely distributed to all.
4/22/08