Date policy established: May 8, 2006
Date policy last reviewed: May 8, 2006
Date policy last revision: 24 May 2006
Scope
This policy applies to all members and friends of the Buddhist Sangha of Bucks
County (BSBC) and covers the conduct of all members and friends while at any
BSBC meditation meeting or other BSBC sponsored function.
Please note: Hereafter, visitors are those who have attended the Sangha less
than three times; friends of the BSBC or Sangha are those who are have attended
the Sangha three or more times and members are those individuals that have
applied for and received membership.
I. Policy.
In order to maintain a safe environment that is conducive to Buddhist practice and
that respects the dignity of all who come for refuge in the Sangha, the BSBC
Board of Officers has developed this Moral and Ethical Obligation Policy.
In keeping with Buddhist traditions, the BSBC will require each member, friend and
visitor to the Sangha to be aware of and to adhere to certain moral standards.
These moral standards are based on the Five Precepts for Lay Buddhists.
Observance of the Five Precepts constitutes the minimum moral guideline of a
practicing Lay Buddhist, along the way of following the Buddhist Eight Fold Path.
Using the Five Precepts as a guide, the BSBC promotes an environment that
should be free from all types of discrimination and harassment, including sexual
harassment and harassment because of color, religion, national origin, age,
ancestry, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, citizenship status, marital
status, or other characteristic protected by law. Alleged incidents of harassment
will be promptly and thoroughly investigated and the BSBC Board will take
appropriate action that is reasonably calculated to end any harassment. Any
visitor, member or friend of the BSBC who engages in harassment will be subject
to appropriate action which may include dismissal from all meetings / functions of
the BSBC .
The Five Precepts are - Enjoin against:
1. Killing living beings,
2. Taking what is not given (or stealing),
3. Sexual misconduct,
4. False speech, and
5. Use of intoxicating drink or drugs.
Friends of the Sangha and Members are required to sign below indicating that he
or she has read the Moral and Ethical Obligation policy and will abide by the
guidelines while at the Sangha and at any Sangha activity. All first time visitors will
receive a visitor’s packet containing general information about the Sangha,
including a copy of this policy. Visitors, who subsequently visit the Sangha more
than two times, will be designated as Friends of the Sangha and required to sign,
as Friends of the Sangha, a Harmonious Meditation Hall sheet indicating that he
or she has read the Moral and Ethical Obligation policy.
In addition to adherence to the Five Precepts and in order to maintain a safe
environment that is conducive to practicing meditation, learning the Dharma and
that respects the dignity of all who come to the Sangha, all members, friends and
visitors are prohibited from engaging in any type of discrimination and
harassment, including sexual harassment and harassment because of race, color,
religion, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, gender identity, sexual
orientation, citizenship status, marital status, or other characteristic protected by
law. Alleged incidents of harassment will be promptly and thoroughly investigated
and the BSBC Board will take appropriate action that is reasonably calculated to
end any harassment. Any member or friend of the BSBC who engages in
harassment will be subject to appropriate action which may include dismissal from
all meetings of the BSBC.
II. Definitions.
A. Killing living beings - This precept admonishes against the destruction of
life. This is based on the principle of goodwill and respect for the right to life of all
living beings. By observing this precept one learns to cultivate loving kindness and
compassion. One sees others' suffering as one's own and endeavors to do what
one can to help alleviate their problems. Personally, one cultivates love and
compassion; socially, one develops an altruistic spirit for the welfare of others.
B. Taking what is not given (or stealing) - This precept, not to take things that
are not given, signifies respect for others' rights to possess wealth and property.
Observing the second precept, one refrains from earning one's livelihood through
wrongful means, such as by stealing or cheating. This precept also implies the
cultivation of generosity, which on a personal level helps to free one from
attachment and selfishness, and on a social level contributes to friendly
cooperation in the community
C. Sexual misconduct - This precept, not to indulge in sexual misconduct,
includes rape, adultery, sexual promiscuity, paraphilia, and all forms of sexual
aberration. Sexual misconduct does not refer an individual's sexual orientation or
gender identity. This precept teaches one to respect one's own partner as well as
those of others, and encourages the practice of self-restraint, which is of utmost
importance in spiritual training. This precept is intended to instill in us a degree of
self-restraint and a sense of social propriety, with particular emphasis on sexuality
and sexual behavior.
D. False speech - This precept, not to tell lies or resorts to falsehood, is an
important factor in social life and dealings. It concerns respect for truth. A respect
for truth is a strong deterrent to inclinations or temptation to commit wrongful
actions, while disregard for the same will only serve to encourage evil deeds. The
Buddha has said: "There are few evil deeds that a liar is incapable of committing."
The practice of the fourth precept, therefore, helps to preserve one's credibility,
trustworthiness, and honor
E. Use of intoxicating drink or drugs - The last of the five Buddhist moral
precepts enjoins against the use of intoxicants. On the personal level, abstention
from intoxicants helps to maintain sobriety and a sense of responsibility. Socially, it
helps to prevent accidents, such as car accidents, that can easily take place
under the influence of intoxicating drink or drugs. Many crimes in society are
committed under the influence of these harmful substances. The negative effects
they have on spiritual practice are too obvious to require any explanation
F. Discrimination - Discrimination occurs when a person is adversely treated
on the basis of age, race, ethnicity, national origin, gender identity, sexual
orientation, disability or religious beliefs.
G. Harassment - Harassment of one person by another is defined as
unwelcome acts or conduct of an offensive nature that include spoken words,
gestures and the production, display or circulation of written words, pictures or
other material. It is harassment if the action or conduct is unwelcome to the
recipient and could reasonably be regarded as humiliating, offensive or
intimidating to that person in relation to: age, race, ethnicity, national origin,
gender identity, sexual orientation, disability or religious beliefs. A person
engages in harassment when, with the intent to harass, annoy, or alarm another
person, he/she:
• Strikes, shoves, kicks, or otherwise subjects others to physical contact, or
threatens to do the same; or
• Follows a person in or about a public place or places; or
• Engages in a course of conduct or repeatedly commits acts which alarm or
seriously annoy such other person and which serve no legitimate purpose.
Depending on its severity, a single act may constitute harassment.
H. Racial, Religious, Gender Harassment – Verbal or physical conduct that is
directed at an individual because of his/her race, color, national origin, ethnicity,
religion, gender identity, or sexual orientation and that is sufficiently severe or
pervasive so as to have the effect of creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive
work or educational environment, which unreasonably interferes with work or
educational performance, or negatively affects an individual’s employment or
educational opportunities
I. Disability Harassment – Verbal or physical conduct that is directed at an
individual because of his/her disabling mental or physical condition, or that of
her/his family member, and that is sufficiently severe or pervasive so as to have
the effect of creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work or educational
environment which unreasonably interferes with work or educational performance,
or negatively affects an individual’s employment or educational opportunities
.
J. Sexual Harassment - The term sexual harassment may be used to describe
a wide range of behaviors. Sexual harassment consists of unwelcome sexual
advances, requests for sexual favors and other verbal or physical conduct of a
sexual nature. An unwelcome sexual advance is if the individual did not solicit or
invite conduct, and particularly if s/he indicates that s/he finds the conduct
undesirable or offensive. Acquiescence or failure to complain does not mean that
the conduct is welcome.
III. Procedures for Reporting, Investigating and Coming to a Resolution.
Reporting
Anyone who believes that they have been the object (victim) of harassment or
retaliation in violation of this policy should report the incident promptly to any
BSBC Board Member. [In the case where the person committing the violation of
this policy is a board member, then the contact will be to a board member other
than that individual.]
Anyone who observes conduct of another that he/she believes to be in violation of
this policy should report the incident promptly to any BSBC Board Member. The
Board Member must promptly report any conduct that he/she believes to be in
violation of this policy to the other Board Members or the Police if necessary.
Investigation
When a report of harassment or retaliation is received, the BSBC Board will
promptly investigate and document, if appropriate.
Any BSBC Board Member receiving a report of harassment must promptly report
the claim to the other Board Members immediately and, if the case warrants, to
ask the alleged harasser to stay away from all BSBC meetings until the
investigation is over. The police should be consulted if the Board or the alleged
victim believes the alleged harasser is dangerous.
The investigation will proceed as promptly, discreetly and confidentially as
possible. The identity of the alleged victim and the alleged harasser will be limited
to those with a need to know in order to conduct the investigation. Confidentiality
will be maintained throughout the investigation to the extent practical and
consistent with the need to undertake a complete investigation.
All witnesses or others interviewed during the course of an investigation will be
instructed that the matter is confidential and that they are not to speak of it with
other persons. Breach of confidentiality is a serious violation of this policy and is
subject to remedial action as described below under Resolution.
Resolution
Upon completion of the investigation, the outcome will be reported to the reporting
person(s) and the alleged harasser(s) and remedial action, if appropriate, will be
taken.
Remedial action may include, but is not limited to, an oral or written warning, a
probation period where the harasser is asked to seek help with the issue, or the
exclusion of the harasser from all BSBC meetings indefinitely.
False Reports
False reports of harassment, particularly sexual harassment, can have serious
impact on innocent people. It is expected that the persons involved will act
responsibly and will not knowingly make false harassment charges. If the
investigation concludes that the charges of harassment were deliberately false
and/or made in bad faith, then the person making the false accusation may be
asked to leave the Sangha.
Policy Reviews
This policy will be reviewed at least every two years or when it is deemed
necessary by the board of officers to ensure its applicability to maintaining a safe
and moral environment in which to practice the Dharma.
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