ethics statement

BZC’s Commitment to Ethics 

It is a great joy to practice the Buddha’s way in community with others. In the course of our practice together, conflict and disagreement will inevitably arise. The health of our sangha is not measured by the presence or absence of conflict, but rather by our collective willingness to find effective, responsible, and compassionate resolution when it arises. Each situation provides us an opportunity to manifest awakening and the practice of the Buddha way.

The Sixteen Bodhisattva Precepts are integral to upright conduct and sangha harmony in our lineage, and serve as our guide for our ethical conduct. If a sangha member experiences conflict or harm, we offer a range of possibilities for healing, including initiating a Formal Grievance Process. Given that our internal and social lives are shaped by white supremacy, patriarchy, and other forms of social harm, and that expectations of upright conduct increase alongside one’s responsibilities in the sangha, we will hold power relations at the forefront of our ethical considerations.

The Sangha Council, Board of Directors, and Teachers are committed to supporting sangha members coming forth and addressing their concerns in a way that is timely, transparent, just, and rooted in vow.

Please bring any questions to ethics@brooklynzen.org.

Options for Healing and Resolution

When an ethical issue arises, please examine your conditioning and role in the situation, and clarify what would be needed for healing. We ask all parties, including the person bringing the grievance, to use upright, inward-looking discernment during this process.


Once you’ve done this, we offer several options. Click on the options below to learn more about each one in more detail:

  • Peer-to-Peer. Discuss the situation with someone you trust in the sangha and/or initiate a discussion directly with the other involved party.
  • Sangha Harmony Ally. Consult with a Sangha Harmony Ally trained to meet and hold concerns.
  • Formal Grievance Process. If the first two options feel inadequate, unproductive, unsafe, and/or the integrity of the sangha is being threatened, file a formal grievance with the Sangha Council.