Insight Meditation Australia Teacher Ethics
Insight Meditation Australia Teacher Ethics provide a guiding set of principles and expectations for Insight Dharma Teachers.
All teachers have a responsibility to minimise harm. That includes how teachers relate to: students, the dharma community and people in general, and how they act in society, in relation to future generations, ecosystems and other beings we share the planet with.
In accepting the role of Insight Meditation teacher, I recognise that my work is founded on trust: the trust placed in me by Insight Meditation Australia colleagues and the trust placed in me by my students. My intention is to support students on their dharma path and ensure that through my teaching I do no harm, either to their practice or to their general well-being.
I commit to:
I hold myself accountable to these ethical standards and welcome the support of my dharma teacher colleagues in holding me accountable.
* Please Click here to see separate document for guidelines for managing dual relationships
Insight Meditation Australia Teacher Ethics provide a guiding set of principles and expectations for Insight Dharma Teachers.
All teachers have a responsibility to minimise harm. That includes how teachers relate to: students, the dharma community and people in general, and how they act in society, in relation to future generations, ecosystems and other beings we share the planet with.
In accepting the role of Insight Meditation teacher, I recognise that my work is founded on trust: the trust placed in me by Insight Meditation Australia colleagues and the trust placed in me by my students. My intention is to support students on their dharma path and ensure that through my teaching I do no harm, either to their practice or to their general well-being.
I commit to:
- Being honest and respectful with students, community members, fellow teachers and others; not subjecting anyone to disparagement, coercive pressure or any sort of undesired attention.
- Maintaining confidences received from students, except as required by law.
- Practicing openness and inclusivity in my relationships with others, allowing personal affinities a natural place but avoiding destructive favouritism.
- Paying close attention to the power that comes with the role of the teacher and not misusing this position of power in any way, particularly in dual relationships*.
- Refraining from inappropriate or harmful sexual interaction with students.
- Accepting financial support (dana) only when it is freely given, never making it an obligatory requirement.
- Paying attention to how one’s choices lead or contribute to direct or indirect harm to other people, other living beings, ecosystems and future generations
- Taking care not to bring disrepute to the Insight Meditation teaching community by way of speech, images or expressing views not in alignment with these ethics and the Buddha’s teachings.
I hold myself accountable to these ethical standards and welcome the support of my dharma teacher colleagues in holding me accountable.
* Please Click here to see separate document for guidelines for managing dual relationships