Teacher’s code of ethics

The following statement comes from our teachers:

As laypeople in the role of dharma teachers, the international Insight Meditation teacher community has reflected upon the application of the 5 precepts to our role in serving the dharma, and have agreed to the following commitments.

~ The Gaia House Teacher Council

      1. We undertake the precept of refraining from killing.

In undertaking this precept we acknowledge the interconnection all beings and our respect for all life.  We agree to refine our understanding of not killing and non-harming in all our actions.  We seek to understand the implication of this precept in such difficult areas as abortion, euthanasia and the killing of pets.  While some of us recommend vegetarianism and others do not, we all commit ourselves to fulfilling this precept in the spirit of reverence for life.

    2. We undertake the precept of refraining from stealing.

We agree to not take that which does not belong to us and to respect the property of others.  We agree to bring consciousness to the use of all the earth’s resources in a respectful and ecological way.  We agree to be honest in our dealing with money and not to misappropriate money committed to Dharma projects.  We agree to offer teachings without favouritism in regard to students’ financial circumstances.

      3. We undertake the precept of refraining from sexual misconduct.

We agree to avoid creating harm through sexuality and sexual exploitation. We agree to refrain from entering into relationships of a sexual nature that are outside the bounds of vows or commitments we have made to another, or that involve another who has taken vows or made commitments with someone else. Teachers with vows of celibacy will live according to their vows. All teachers agree not to use their teaching role to exploit their authority and position in order to seek out or enter a sexual relationship with a student.
Because several single teachers in our community have developed partnerships and marriages with former students, we acknowledge that such a healthy relationship is possible, but that great care and sensitivity are needed.

We agree that in this case the following guidelines are crucial:

• A sexual relationship is never appropriate between teachers and students.
• During retreats of formal teaching, any intimation of future teacher-student romantic or sexual relationship is inappropriate.
• If interest is genuine and a committed relationship develops over time between a single teacher and a student, the student-teacher relationship must clearly and consciously have ended and the student and teacher must then consult with a senior teacher before any further development toward a romantic relationship. Such a relationship must be approached with restraint and sensitivity – in no case should it occur immediately after a retreat. A minimum time period of three months or longer from the last formal teaching between them, and a clear understanding from both parties that the student-teacher relationship has ended must be coupled with a conscious commitment to enter into a relationship that brings no harm to either party.

      4. We undertake the precept of refraining from false speech.

We agree to speak that which is true and useful and to refrain from gossip in our community.  We agree to hold in confidence what is explicitly told to us in confidence.  We agree to cultivate conscious and clear communication, and to cultivate the quality of lovingkindness and honesty as the basis of our speech.

      5. We undertake the precept of refraining from intoxicants that cause heedlessness or loss of awareness.

It is clear that substance abuse is the cause of tremendous suffering.  We agree that there should be no use of intoxicants during retreats or while on retreat premises.  We agree not to abuse or misuse intoxicants at any time.  We agree that if any teacher has a drug or alcohol addiction problem, it should be immediately addressed by the community.

The five precepts of non-harming are a vehicle for our happiness, a vehicle for our good fortune, a vehicle for the liberation of all beings. May our goodness shine forth.