Ethical Conduct and Precepts
Many years ago MZMC faced an extremely serious ethical issue. Several years after the 1990 death of our beloved founder, Dainin Katagiri Roshi, we were shocked and deeply saddened to hear that he had engaged in sexual relationships with at least two women who were his students, and made unwelcome advances to some others.
In response, we took careful and thoughtful steps to prevent anything like this from happening again at MZMC. We instituted a clear code of ethics stating that any sexual relationship between a teacher and his or her student is inappropriate and unacceptable. We developed teacher training programs and a leadership structure designed to support a safe and transparent environment. All MZMC teachers have received training in the ethical standards expected of them, and have wholeheartedly and without reservation agreed to live by these standards.
MZMC emerged from its crisis with a fierce commitment to being a trustworthy place for spiritual practice. All members of our community are expected and empowered to ensure that this is always so.
Our Statement of Ethical Conduct and Precepts detail the expectations we hold our teachers to, and our Complaint Resolution Procedure communicates the steps to be taken by anyone who feels that a breach of ethics has occurred.
Many years ago MZMC faced an extremely serious ethical issue. Several years after the 1990 death of our beloved founder, Dainin Katagiri Roshi, we were shocked and deeply saddened to hear that he had engaged in sexual relationships with at least two women who were his students, and made unwelcome advances to some others.
In response, we took careful and thoughtful steps to prevent anything like this from happening again at MZMC. We instituted a clear code of ethics stating that any sexual relationship between a teacher and his or her student is inappropriate and unacceptable. We developed teacher training programs and a leadership structure designed to support a safe and transparent environment. All MZMC teachers have received training in the ethical standards expected of them, and have wholeheartedly and without reservation agreed to live by these standards.
MZMC emerged from its crisis with a fierce commitment to being a trustworthy place for spiritual practice. All members of our community are expected and empowered to ensure that this is always so.
Our Statement of Ethical Conduct and Precepts detail the expectations we hold our teachers to, and our Complaint Resolution Procedure communicates the steps to be taken by anyone who feels that a breach of ethics has occurred.
Statement of Ethical Conduct and Precepts
Our Statement of Ethical Conduct and Precepts, and our Canons of Conduct detail the expectations we hold our teachers and sangha members to, and our Complaint Resolution Procedure communicates the steps to be taken by anyone who feels that a breach of ethics has occurred.
Minnesota Zen Meditation Center (MZMC) is established to provide the teaching and practice of Zen Buddhism. These guidelines comprise our expectations and limitations for conduct of teachers and sangha members at MZMC.
Traditionally, the Buddhist sangha has had a set of rules or precepts to govern ethical behavior and interaction. We follow this tradition. These expectations are for teachers (including transmitted priests, priests in training, lay teachers, and visiting teachers) and sangha members.
Our Statement of Ethical Conduct and Precepts, and our Canons of Conduct detail the expectations we hold our teachers and sangha members to, and our Complaint Resolution Procedure communicates the steps to be taken by anyone who feels that a breach of ethics has occurred.
Minnesota Zen Meditation Center (MZMC) is established to provide the teaching and practice of Zen Buddhism. These guidelines comprise our expectations and limitations for conduct of teachers and sangha members at MZMC.
Traditionally, the Buddhist sangha has had a set of rules or precepts to govern ethical behavior and interaction. We follow this tradition. These expectations are for teachers (including transmitted priests, priests in training, lay teachers, and visiting teachers) and sangha members.
THE PRECEPTS
These are the precepts we uphold:
THE THREE REFUGES
THE THREE COLLECTIVE PURE PRECEPTS
THE TEN GREAT PRECEPTS
CANONS OF CONDUCT
These canons apply to anyone vested with authority to teach or serve, especially in one-on-one relationships. Unlike precepts, which are guides to our behavior and are a source of ethical consideration, canons are imperative. Please address concerns with canons using the Complaint Resolution Procedure.
CANON 1
Teachers and sangha members shall uphold the integrity of the Minnesota Zen Meditation Center, and the sangha at large.
CANON 2
Everyone subject to these canons will treat others, whether members or not, with respect for their privacy, personal views, and lifestyle choices.
CANON 3
Teachers and temple officers will perform the duties of their office impartially and diligently.
CANON 4
Teachers will keep information shared in private conversations confidential. There are some exceptions. 1) The teacher may confer with other teachers in the group of MZMC teachers or with outside consultants, keeping the identity of the student anonymous when possible. 2) Teachers may disclose information if they believe it is the needed course of action to protect the student or another person from serious harm. 3) Teachers have a legal obligation to report to appropriate authorities information about neglect or abuse of children, plans for suicide or homicide, or incapacitating substance abuse. 4) The teacher may refer to pertinent confidential information in responding to grievances lodged through the formal complaint process, but such information may be revealed only to the body that is investigating the grievance, and may go no further. Also, such information may be revealed only to the extent necessary to allow the teacher to respond to a specific allegation.
CANON 5
Sangha members make membership pledges, dana offerings, and pay for retreats and classes. However, no student or member shall be required to give money or services to any individual. This does not prohibit the exchange of money or services for value received, e.g., professional services provided by one member to another.
CANON 6
Anyone in any position of authority at MZMC must be aware of the effects of the power inherent in their position. A teacher must honor the development of the student's practice as the exclusive consideration of the student/teacher relationship. It is a violation of these canons for a teacher or teacher trainee to begin a sexual relationship with a student/sangha member (this does not apply to relationships that pre-existed a teacher's ordination or relationships that are with a person who was unaffiliated with MZMC at the time the relationship was instituted).
CANON 7
It is an ethical violation for anyone to retaliate against a person who makes an ethics complaint.
CANON 8
Everyone in a position of authority at MZMC must be mindful of our equity statement: we work to remove barriers based on race, ethnicity, gender identity, religion, economic class, sexual orientation, age, and ability.
These are the precepts we uphold:
THE THREE REFUGES
- Take refuge in the Buddha (Absolute Enlightenment Principle)
- Take refuge in the Dharma (Enlightenment Knowledge and Teachings)
- Take refuge in the Sangha (Others on the Path to Enlightenment)
THE THREE COLLECTIVE PURE PRECEPTS
- I vow to avoid all action that creates suffering.
- I vow to do all action that creates true happiness.
- I vow to act with others always in mind
THE TEN GREAT PRECEPTS
- I vow not to kill but to nurture life.
- I vow not to take what is not given but to cultivate and encourage generosity.
- I vow not to misuse sexuality but to be caring and faithful in intimate relationships.
- I vow not to lie but to be truthful.
- I vow not to intoxicate with substances or doctrines but to promote clarity and awareness.
- I vow not to speak of others' faults but to speak respectfully.
- I vow not to demean myself or others but to manifest my awakened nature.
- I vow not to cling but to be generous with self and others.
- I vow not to harbor ill will but to cultivate loving-kindness.
- I vow not to do anything to demean the Three Treasures but to support and nurture them.
CANONS OF CONDUCT
These canons apply to anyone vested with authority to teach or serve, especially in one-on-one relationships. Unlike precepts, which are guides to our behavior and are a source of ethical consideration, canons are imperative. Please address concerns with canons using the Complaint Resolution Procedure.
CANON 1
Teachers and sangha members shall uphold the integrity of the Minnesota Zen Meditation Center, and the sangha at large.
CANON 2
Everyone subject to these canons will treat others, whether members or not, with respect for their privacy, personal views, and lifestyle choices.
CANON 3
Teachers and temple officers will perform the duties of their office impartially and diligently.
CANON 4
Teachers will keep information shared in private conversations confidential. There are some exceptions. 1) The teacher may confer with other teachers in the group of MZMC teachers or with outside consultants, keeping the identity of the student anonymous when possible. 2) Teachers may disclose information if they believe it is the needed course of action to protect the student or another person from serious harm. 3) Teachers have a legal obligation to report to appropriate authorities information about neglect or abuse of children, plans for suicide or homicide, or incapacitating substance abuse. 4) The teacher may refer to pertinent confidential information in responding to grievances lodged through the formal complaint process, but such information may be revealed only to the body that is investigating the grievance, and may go no further. Also, such information may be revealed only to the extent necessary to allow the teacher to respond to a specific allegation.
CANON 5
Sangha members make membership pledges, dana offerings, and pay for retreats and classes. However, no student or member shall be required to give money or services to any individual. This does not prohibit the exchange of money or services for value received, e.g., professional services provided by one member to another.
CANON 6
Anyone in any position of authority at MZMC must be aware of the effects of the power inherent in their position. A teacher must honor the development of the student's practice as the exclusive consideration of the student/teacher relationship. It is a violation of these canons for a teacher or teacher trainee to begin a sexual relationship with a student/sangha member (this does not apply to relationships that pre-existed a teacher's ordination or relationships that are with a person who was unaffiliated with MZMC at the time the relationship was instituted).
CANON 7
It is an ethical violation for anyone to retaliate against a person who makes an ethics complaint.
CANON 8
Everyone in a position of authority at MZMC must be mindful of our equity statement: we work to remove barriers based on race, ethnicity, gender identity, religion, economic class, sexual orientation, age, and ability.
Complaint Resolution Procedure
Sangha members are encouraged to discuss any possible violations of the above canons or ethical conduct and precepts promptly and directly.
If the MZMC Board or Guiding Teacher(s) receive a formal complaint under this policy, they must respond in writing to the person filing the complaint within thirty days.
If the complaint is about:
1. A Sangha Member:
a. If the complaint is about a member of the sangha who is not in a teaching capacity or other position of authority, the individual may try to resolve it with the fellow sangha member first.
b. If the complaint cannot be resolved at this level, the sangha member is encouraged to request involvement by a teacher within the sangha.
c. If the complaint appears unresolvable to both, the issue should be brought to the attention of the Guiding Teacher(s), who will attempt to deal appropriately and humanely with the issue or concern. The Guiding Teacher(s) will make a decision after reviewing pertinent data and/or meeting with the parties involved resolving the conflict.
2. A temple officer, priest trainees, priests:
a. If the complaint is about a teacher or temple officer, direct communication should be tried first, either alone with the individual and/or with a third person present.
b. When there is a complaint about a teacher or temple officer that appears unresolvable, the issue should be brought to the Guiding Teacher(s), who will attempt to deal appropriately and humanely with the issue or concern. The Guiding Teacher(s) will make a decision after reviewing pertinent data and/or meeting with the parties involved resolving the conflict.
3. A Guiding Teacher and Administrative Director:
a. If the complaint is about the Guiding Teacher(s) or Administrative Director and direct communication has not resulted in a resolution of the issue, the matter will be brought to the President of the Board of Directors or designee of the President. The Board President will make a decision after reviewing pertinent data and/or meeting with the parties involved in resolving the conflict.
4. A Board Member, Board committee, or Board:
a. If the complaint is about a Board member, Board committee or the Board, the complaint should be brought to the Board President. If the complaint is about the Board President it should be brought to the Vice President. The Board will make a decision after reviewing pertinent data and/or meeting with the parties involved in resolving the conflict. The Board or the complainant may request the support of a neutral party.
5. Annual Disclosure:
The Head Teacher, Board President and Administrative Director will report to the board at least annually on the nature, number, and outcome of complaints received.
6. Disclosures
The Guiding Teacher(s), Board President and Administrative Director will report to the Board at least annually on the nature, number, and outcome of complaints received.
In circumstances where serious harm has been done by a community member or where the potential for serious harm is evident from the previous actions of a community member, it may be beneficial for the Board to inform the entire community. Any disclosure of misconduct to the entire community will be made by the Board President or Guiding Teacher(s) following a vote of the entire Board of Directors.
Sangha members are encouraged to discuss any possible violations of the above canons or ethical conduct and precepts promptly and directly.
If the MZMC Board or Guiding Teacher(s) receive a formal complaint under this policy, they must respond in writing to the person filing the complaint within thirty days.
If the complaint is about:
1. A Sangha Member:
a. If the complaint is about a member of the sangha who is not in a teaching capacity or other position of authority, the individual may try to resolve it with the fellow sangha member first.
b. If the complaint cannot be resolved at this level, the sangha member is encouraged to request involvement by a teacher within the sangha.
c. If the complaint appears unresolvable to both, the issue should be brought to the attention of the Guiding Teacher(s), who will attempt to deal appropriately and humanely with the issue or concern. The Guiding Teacher(s) will make a decision after reviewing pertinent data and/or meeting with the parties involved resolving the conflict.
2. A temple officer, priest trainees, priests:
a. If the complaint is about a teacher or temple officer, direct communication should be tried first, either alone with the individual and/or with a third person present.
b. When there is a complaint about a teacher or temple officer that appears unresolvable, the issue should be brought to the Guiding Teacher(s), who will attempt to deal appropriately and humanely with the issue or concern. The Guiding Teacher(s) will make a decision after reviewing pertinent data and/or meeting with the parties involved resolving the conflict.
3. A Guiding Teacher and Administrative Director:
a. If the complaint is about the Guiding Teacher(s) or Administrative Director and direct communication has not resulted in a resolution of the issue, the matter will be brought to the President of the Board of Directors or designee of the President. The Board President will make a decision after reviewing pertinent data and/or meeting with the parties involved in resolving the conflict.
4. A Board Member, Board committee, or Board:
a. If the complaint is about a Board member, Board committee or the Board, the complaint should be brought to the Board President. If the complaint is about the Board President it should be brought to the Vice President. The Board will make a decision after reviewing pertinent data and/or meeting with the parties involved in resolving the conflict. The Board or the complainant may request the support of a neutral party.
5. Annual Disclosure:
The Head Teacher, Board President and Administrative Director will report to the board at least annually on the nature, number, and outcome of complaints received.
6. Disclosures
The Guiding Teacher(s), Board President and Administrative Director will report to the Board at least annually on the nature, number, and outcome of complaints received.
In circumstances where serious harm has been done by a community member or where the potential for serious harm is evident from the previous actions of a community member, it may be beneficial for the Board to inform the entire community. Any disclosure of misconduct to the entire community will be made by the Board President or Guiding Teacher(s) following a vote of the entire Board of Directors.
