The Network for Western Buddhist
Teachers
4725 E. Sunrise Drive, suite 137
Tucson, Arizona 85718
On March 16-1, 1993, a meeting was held in Dharamsala, India, between His Holiness the
14th Dalai Lama and a group of twenty-two Western Dharma teachers from the major Buddhist
traditions in Europe and America. Also present were the Tibetan lamas Drikung Chestang
Rinpoche, Panchen Otrul Rinpoche and Amchok Rinpoche. The aim of the meeting was to
discuss openly a wide range of issues concerning the transmission of the Buddhadaharma to
Western lands.
After four days of presentations and discussions we agreed on the following points:
1. Our first responsibility as Buddhist is to work towards creating a better world
for all forms of life. The promotion of Buddhism as a religion is secondary concern.
Kindness and compassion, the furthering of peace and harmony, as well as tolerance and
respect for other religions, should be the three guiding principles of our actions.
2. In the West, where so many different Buddhist traditions exist side by side,
one needs to be constantly on one's guard against the dangers of sectarianism. Such a
divisive attitude is often the result of failing to understand or appreciate anything
outside of one's own tradition. Teachers from all schools would therefore benefit greatly
from studying and gaining some practical experience of the teachings of other traditions.
3. Teachers should be open to beneficial influences from secular and other
religious traditions. For example, the insights and techniques of contemporary
psychotherapy can often be of great value in reducing suffering experienced by students.
At the same time, efforts to develop psychologically oriented practices from within the
existing Buddhist traditions should be encouraged.
4. An individual's position as a teacher arises in dependence on the request of
his or her students, not simply being appointed as such by higher authority. Great care
must therefor e exercised by the student in selecting an appropriate teacher. Sufficient
time must be given to making this choice, which should be based on personal investigation,
reason and experience. Students should be warned against the dangers of falling prey to
charisma, charlatanism or exoticism.
5. Particular concern was expressed about unethical conduct among teachers. In
recent years both Asian and Western teachers have been involved in scandals concerning
sexual misconduct with their students, abuse of alcohol and drugs, misappropriation of
funds, and misuse of power.
This has resulted in widespread damage both to the Buddhist community and to
individual involved. Each student must be encouraged to take responsible measures to
confront teachers with unethical aspects of their conduct. If the teacher shows no sign of
reform, students should not hesitate to publicize any unethical behavior of which there is
irrefutable evidence. This should be done irrespective of other beneficial aspects of his
or her work and of one's spiritual commitment to that teacher.
It should also be made clear in any publicity that such conduct is not in
conformity with Buddhist teachings. No matter what level of spiritual attainment a teacher
has, or claims to have, reached, no person can stand above the norm of ethical conduct. In
order for the Buddhadharma not to be brought into disrepute and to avoid harm to students
and teachers, it is necessary that all teachers at least live by the five lay percepts. In
cases where ethical standards have been infringed, compassion and care should be shown
towards both teacher and student.
6. Just as the Dharma has adapted itself to many different cultures through out
its history in Asia, so it is bound to be transformed according to conditions in the West.
Although the principles of the Dharma are timeless, we need to exercise careful
discrimination in distinguishing between essential teachings and cultural trappings.
However, confusion may arise due to various reasons. There may be a conflict in
loyalty between commitment to one's Asian teachers and responsibility to one's Western
students. Likewise, one may encounter disagreement about the respective value of monastic
and lay practice. Further more, we affirm the need for equality between the sexes in all
aspects of Buddhist theory and practice.
The Western teachers were encouraged by His Holiness to take greater
responsibility in creatively resolving the issues that were raised. For many, His
Holiness's advice served as a profound confirmation of their own feelings, concerns and
actions.
In addition to being able to discuss issues frankly with His Holiness, the
conference served as a valuable forum for teachers from different traditions o exchange
views. We are already planning future meetings with His Holiness and will invite other
colleagues ho were not present in Dharamsala to participate in the on-going process His
Holiness intends to invite more heads of different Asian Buddhist traditions to attend
future meetings.
The proceedings of the meeting will be disseminated to the wider public by means
of articles, a report, a book, as well as audio and video recordings.
Bouddhisme
en Belgique To the Sangha
