Ethical Guidelines and Procedures

The Ten Grave Precepts

• Protect all life by refraining from taking life.
• Cultivate generosity by not taking what is not given.
• Honor relationships by not misusing sexuality.
• Uphold truth by avoiding deceit.
• Maintain clarity by abstaining from intoxicants.
• Communicate with respect by avoiding harmful speech.
• Acknowledge interdependence by not elevating oneself or demeaning others.
• Share the Dharma and support others by not clinging to possessions or teachings.
• Foster compassion and forgiveness by letting go of grudges.
• Embrace the Three Treasures by staying committed to them.

Right Speech – Right Action

Being connected to the sangha is a wondrous part of the practice which is appreciated and cherished. Any action that does not cultivate good dharma relationships harms these connections.

Good relationships are built on right intent. The intentions of any action should be considered before acted upon. Connections within the Zen community can be intimate, caring, and loving which is a source of joy, acceptance, and nourishing. If not guarded through right intention, they can be a source of rejection, mistrust, and destruction which violates the spirit of the precepts and the sangha community.

Honest and compassionate communication is also vital in good relationships. We always encourage open communication with everyone at all times with the intent to be helpful and understanding of others. This, we feel, is the best way to resolve any issues and stay connected. If you feel someone in our community is not acting with the right intent, we encourage you to talk directly with that person. However, it may at times be necessary to talk with someone else who can be neutral and bring a skillful approach to the situation. Any of the DMZC’s priests are resources for you to talk to. Any member of the DMZC’s EAR Committee (described below) is also available for such consultation. The intention of the priests and the EAR Committee is to restore the connection to its original state of peace and harmony.

The priests and EAR Committee are also available for guidance when you may, yourself, question whether your actions or intentions align with the precepts. By deeply opening yourself up, you allow yourself to be directed on the right path.

Atonement is part of our spiritual practice to bring balance and harmony back to the community. Every effort should be made to be realigned with the spirit of the precepts.

Ethics and Reconciliation (EAR) Committee

The EAR Committee is made up of individuals, appointed by the Board of Directors (the “Board”), who will serve to protect the spiritual practice of all involved. To view a current list of EAR Committee members, please click here. Being connected to the sangha is a wondrous part of the practice which is appreciated and cherished. Any action that does not cultivate good dharma relationships harms these connections.

Good relationships are built on right intent. The intentions of any action should be considered before acted upon. Connections within the Zen community can be intimate, caring, and loving which is a source of joy, acceptance, and nourishing. If not guarded through right intention, they can be a source of rejection, mistrust, and destruction which violates the spirit of the precepts and the sangha community.

Reporting Procedure and Response Mechanism

If you wish to report a concern (rather than just seek guidance as described above), these should be made to an EAR Committee member. Reporting a concern can be made informally (verbal) by simply contacting an EAR Committee member directly, one on one. If a formal (written) concern is warranted, an Ethics and Reconciliation Complaint Form is required.  This form needs to be completed and signed by the person reporting the concern, then submitted to an EAR Committee member. If any support is needed with these processes, please reach out to someone you trust for help.

If requested, you can remain anonymous as allowed by applicable laws. The EAR Committee member you submit your concern to will make every effort to maintain your anonymity. All concerns will be treated with utmost sensitivity and confidentiality to the extent permitted by law. However, if necessary, EAR Committee members may need to consult with other parties to determine the appropriate response to a concern. They also have the discretion (or may have the duty) to upgrade an informal concern to a formal concern. If something comes up that someone wants to report anonymously but we have an absolute duty to report (mandatory reporting, such as abuse) it’s going to have to be upgraded, whether the person wants it to be or not. In this event, the EAR Committee member will need to document and fill out the Ethics and Reconciliation Complaint Form with or without the cooperation of the reporter.

In some situations, it is expected that an EAR Committee member be notified. These include inappropriate sexual behavior (please see the separate Sexual Harassment and Misconduct Policy), abusive conduct or harassment, incompetence that threatens the sangha, use of a position for personal gain, or exploitation and misuse of sangha funds. Hearing of or seeing any of these activities and doing nothing is unethical. Furthermore, if an incident of abuse of children or vulnerable adults is learned of, such incidents must be reported to the appropriate legal authorities.

Upon receiving a formal concern, or in the event of suspicion of sexual harassment or misconduct, the EAR Committee will investigate it. If an EAR Committee member is the subject of the concern or suspicion, they will be removed from all investigative meetings.
The findings from investigations will be communicated to the Board. If the situation warrants, the EAR Committee or Board may consult with an outside mediator as well. The Board will then oversee the response process, ensuring fairness and accountability. Appropriate corrective actions will be taken, including education, counseling, and disciplinary measures such as suspension, expulsion, or termination.

Confidentiality

Confidentiality is another component of good relationships and is a right for everyone practicing at DMZC. This creates an environment of openness and trust. Our practice lends itself to having sangha members share personal information with others and that sharing comes with an expectation that the information will be guarded.

However, if such information is shared or heard that legally cannot be held private, appropriate authorities will be notified. Legally and morally this is the right thing to do for the ones involved. Conclusion It is DMZC’s deep wish for you to feel connected to our community, practice and all living things. We vow to maintain an environment that is accepting of you because we are all connected together on the path to peace and happiness.