Ethical Guidelines

Model ethical guidelines for Triratna Buddhist centres and enterprises 

Introduction 

These model guidelines are offered as a suggestion for those in Triratna running and  supporting activities for the general public, such as classes in meditation or Buddhism,  study groups, yoga classes or therapeutic interventions such as mindfulness classes. 

Model Ethical Guidelines were first published in 2016 at the initiative of Triratna’s  International Council, in response to requests from some Triratna centres. They are  published by Triratna’s Ethics kula, including the Safeguarding team, who can be  contacted at  

The Safeguarding and reporting duties mentioned here follow UK requirements. Each  Triratna Centre is free to adapt or adopt these documents (or replace them with others)  in accordance with local conditions, recognising that while each is legally separate and  responsible for deciding upon and implementing its own policies, the actions of any  Centre will reflect upon Triratna worldwide. 

These model Guidelines follow the framework of the Buddha’s five ethical precepts – widely known throughout the Buddhist world – offering a general principle for each and  one or two specific applications. 

The precepts can be applied to all areas of human behaviour. These guidelines are  mainly intended to offer guidance in one key area: where Order members, or other  experienced members of the Triratna community, are presenting and communicating  Buddhist principles to those who are new or less experienced, especially in public  situations, where a particular duty of care is owed. 

The model guidelines 

These ethical guidelines, adopted by the team of Kings Lynn Triratna Group should  be read in conjunction with Kings Lynn Triratna Groups policies for Safeguarding  adults, and its Child protection code of conduct, as well as the following Triratna  documents (or local equivalent): 

1. I undertake the training principle of abstention from harming living beings. With deeds of loving-kindness I purify my body. 

In principle all Triratna activities aim to support the awakening of the individual for the  benefit of all beings. In all our dealings with one another we aspire to behave in a spirit  of kindness, expressing kalyanamitrata, which we translate as ‘spiritual friendship’.

Our spiritual community has been defined by  its founder, Sangharakshita, as a ‘free  association of individuals’. While respecting this principle, it is important that  individuals in positions of trust and authority as members of Triratna do not misuse  their trusted position or authority – real or perceived — for their own benefit or to  influence others inappropriately.  

Wishing to minimise the harm we do to living beings, we affirm that physical violence  and strong expressions of anger have no place among us. 

Kings Lynn Triratna group is vegetarian and vegan friendly.

We will work within our community, and with other like-minded groups, to reduce and  minimise our impact on the environment, locally and internationally.

2. I undertake the training principle of abstention from taking the not given. With  open-handed generosity, I purify my body. 

We wish to offer the Buddha’s teachings in a spirit of generosity, making them accessible to  all. We aspire to express generosity by caring for our community and those who work and  practice within it, finding ways to support those who undertake particular responsibilities  in teaching and administration or serving as trustees or council members. 

Those of us who handle money, property or other resources for the Kings Lynn  Triratna Group will take care of them and avoid their deliberate misuse or  misappropriation. If misuse is suspected, we will report this to our Safeguarding Officer  Lisa Robins:   or the Triratna Safeguarding team.  

3. I undertake the training principle of abstention from sexual misconduct. With  stillness, simplicity and contentment I purify my body. 

Triratna is a community of people practicing the Buddha’s teachings together with a  strong emphasis on spiritual friendship. It is natural that close relationships should  develop between us, and that some of these may be sexual relationships. 

We encourage all members of our community to conduct their sexual relationships  ethically, with awareness and kindness. 

Those of us in teaching roles, supporting roles or with other positions of responsibility  within the sangha have a particular responsibility in this area, particularly to those new  to Triratna. We have a duty of care in respect to our conduct and position and to have  due regard both for our precepts and to the requirements of our policies for  Safeguarding adults (in the UK) or local equivalent in other countries. 

We are aware that as a person starts to explore the liberation that Dharma practice can  provide, it is easy to confuse strength of feeling for the Dharma with an attraction to the  individual serving as their main point of contact with Triratna and to the Buddhist  tradition more generally. 

As such, we recognise that it is highly inadvisable for those leading Buddhist activities, or  in positions of leadership, responsibility or spiritual mentoring, to enter into sexual  relationships with those new to Triratna. 

Even where there is clear mutual attraction and wish to enter a relationship we will  wait until the more experienced Buddhist is no longer a primary teacher/mentor to the person with less experience of Triratna, and until that person has formed other  friendships in our sangha. 

We ask that a proposed relationship between an Order member in a teaching role (or who  may be perceived as being in any position of authority) and someone less experienced in  Triratna should be discussed openly with other Order members; usually with the Order  member’s chapter and/or their preceptor and kalyana mitras. We suggest also that such  discussions be minuted by the chapter convenor, preceptor or kalayanamitras for the  benefit of all concerned should questions later arise. 

See also the 2017 College “Statement about relationships between preceptors and those  they ordain” https://thebuddhistcentre.com/preceptors/statement-about-sex-between preceptors-and-those-they- ordain-preceptors-college 

4. I undertake the training principle of abstention from false speech. With truthful communication, I purify my speech. 

In all our dealings with those we teach we are committed to truthful, meaningful,  helpful and harmonious communication, written or spoken. 

We wish to create an atmosphere of friendliness, co-operation and trust. We will share information carefully, motivated by desire for the wellbeing and spiritual progress of those  we discuss and taking note of data protection legislation. 

We will encourage ethical reflection and disclosure in our community, taking care to  emphasise that this happens in its own time and at its own pace. 

We note that confession offers no protection from UK law, though this may differ from  country to country. Illegal activity involving physical or sexual violence, or behaviours  entailing harm or risk of harm to self or others, past or present, must be reported to the  Safeguarding Officer of Kings Lynn Triratna Group, who will consider what action is  appropriate in the circumstances, in consultation with the Triratna Safeguarding team. 

5. I undertake the training principle of abstention from intoxication. With  mindfulness clear and radiant I purify my mind. 

The Triratna Buddhist Community aims to provide support for the development of  wisdom and compassion through deepening awareness. 

We aspire to engage with our practice and with each other with as much mindfulness as  possible. We aim to provide supportive environments for those wishing to live without  intoxicants. We will not serve alcohol or other intoxicants at Triratna Buddhist centers or events. 

Smoking and e-cigarettes/vaping are not permitted on our premises. 

If you have concerns 

If you have any concerns about the ethical behaviour of sangha members or a person you  believe to be at risk, please contact our Safeguarding Officer Lisa Robins:  

Though we will take your concerns seriously, we cannot offer absolute confidentiality. In  accordance with the requirements of Safeguarding and data protection law, we keep  secure, confidential Safeguarding records and will share information only with those few  who need to know in order to address the matter effectively and keep you and others safe  from harm.

Where you are over 18 and we believe you or anyone else over 18 may be at risk, we have a  duty to report to social services or the police, with your/their consent if possible. Where  you are under 18 and we believe you or anyone else under 18 may be at risk, we have a  duty to report, with or without consent. 

Agreed by the team at Kings Lynn Triratna Group.

Team’s names  

Sammuditá      

Sinhadevi

Viprasanna

Viryashalin

Lisa Robins, Safeguarding Officer:   

Date: July 2024 
Review date: July 2025 

Sabbe satta sukhi hontu – May all beings be well and happy

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This model document was published June 2019 by the Triratna Safeguarding team, part of  the Triratna Ethics Kula.

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