Ethics and Integrity
for EBMC Teachers
Teacher Sangha Feb 2, 2019
Prepared by JD Doyle
Overview
“Teaching is Sila.”
~ Bhikku Analayo
[Ananda:] "What, Venerable One, is the reward and blessing of Sila?"
[The Buddha:] "Freedom from remorse, Ananda."
"And of freedom from remorse?"
"Joy, Ananda"
"And of joy?"
"Rapture, Ananda"
"And of rapture?"
"Tranquillity, Ananda."
"And of tranquillity?"
"Happiness, Ananda."
"And of happiness?"
Concentration, Ananda."
"And of concentration?"
"Vision and knowledge according to reality."
"And of the vision and knowledge according to reality?"
"Turning away and detachment, Ananda."
"And of turning away and detachment?"
"The vision and knowledge with regard to Liberation, Ananda."
“Internal ethics tend towards a "self regulating process" while external morals (such as the 10 commandments) tend towards a regulation of society. A breakdown of morals in secular society highlights a need for an inner ethic, which is different from externally imposed judgment. An inner ethic is not self damning or self judging, but a healthy capacity for self reflection and discernment. It is also the case that a more astute inner ethic can, and often will, conflict with societal "morals."
Thanissara and Kittisaro http://dharmagiri.org/smsonline/sms_0103.html
Power Paradox
My research has shown that power puts us in a... state—making us feel expansive, energized, omnipotent, hungry for rewards, and immune to risk—which opens us up to rash, rude, and unethical actions…
Dacher Keltner - Professor of psychology at University of California, Berkeley, https://hbr.org/2016/10/dont-let-power-corrupt-you
Power Paradox
“… New studies in neuroscience find that by reflecting on those thoughts and emotions —we can engage regions of our frontal lobes that help us keep our worst impulses in check. When we recognize and label feelings of joy and confidence, we’re less likely to make irrational decisions inspired by them. When we acknowledge feelings of frustration, we’re less likely to respond in adversarial or confrontational ways.” Dacher Keltner
Power Paradox
“... You can outsmart the power paradox by practicing the ethics of empathy, gratitude, and generosity. It will bring out the best work and collaborative spirit of those around you. And you, too, will benefit, with a burnished reputation, long-lasting leadership, and the dopamine-rich delights of advancing the interests of others.
Dacher Keltner - Professor of psychology at University of California, Berkeley, https://hbr.org/2016/10/dont-let-power-corrupt-you
Intersectionality
- multiple identities intersect to create a whole that is different from the component identities.
- within groups of people with a common identity, (gender, sexuality, religion, race, ability,etc.) there exist intragroup differences.
Transference - coined by Sigmund Freud to label the way people "transfer" feelings from important persons in their early lives, onto the psychoanalyst or therapist (teacher).
Countertransference - is the reaction to a person’s transference, in which the counselor (teacher) projects their feelings unconsciously onto the other.
EBMC Teacher Agreement:
Scenarios and Discussions
Overall, studies show that 10% to 30% of clergy from all religious groups have been sexually involved with their constituents.
Scott Edelstein’s book, Sex and the Spiritual Teacher, Wisdom Publications, 2011.
EBMC Teacher Agreement: EBMC Teachers Code of Ethics:
EBMC recognizes that the foundation of spiritual life rests upon our mindful and caring relationship to the life around us. We acknowledge that without the support of monastic vows, we have a need for clear guidelines. In keeping with this understanding and for the long-term benefit of ourselves and the community at large, we, as lay teachers, agree to uphold the five lay training precepts. Furthermore… specifically expanded the scope of these five precepts to make them explicitly appropriate to our role as teachers of the Dharma in our specific cultural settings.
Ethics Exploration:
3rd and 5th Precept of Teacher Agreement
Choose a scenario to explore in your small group.
Have one person read the scenario aloud.
Take a moment to reflect silently.
Allow each person 1-2 minutes to share their thoughts and feelings before engaging in a discussion.
Consider what aspects of your discussion you would like to highlight in the whole.
Ethics Exploration:
3rd Precept of Teacher Agreement
#1. You overheard a student during break say that the (insert name of teacher here) is really good looking and wonder aloud if they were single. The other person’s response surprised you, as they said. “Oh that teacher is dating (insert practitioner’s/student’s name here).”
#2. A fellow EBMC teacher tells you that they are interested in dating someone who they met at EBMC in one of their classes over a year ago. This teacher called up this person and will be having coffee/tea and hanging out with them next week.
Ethics Exploration:
5th Precept of Teacher Agreement
#3. An EBMC teacher who you work with as part of a meditation group committee has been arrested for a DUI. They are scheduled to teach in 2 weeks.
#4. An EBMC teacher who you work with as part of a meditation group committee shared with the sangha during a Dharma talk that they regularly use medical cannabis to address pain and anxiety. A sangha member who is in recovery has expressed concern to the committee.
Maintain and evolve Best Practices
for EBMC Teachers
Additional Resources regarding Sexual Harassment
It is unlawful to harass a person (an applicant or employee) because of that person’s sex. Harassment can include “sexual harassment” or unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical harassment of a sexual nature.
(See link in title for entire description.)
Resources:
(See link in title for entire description.)
Additional Agencies and Organizations
These organizations are part of the fight against sexual violence and can offer support as well as information about legal services, public policy, and advocacy.
Government Agencies
Additional Agencies and Organizations