Principles & Policies
Principles & Policies
Principles & Policies
We operate on guidelines based on the Buddha’s five ethical precepts – widely known throughout the Buddhist world. These precepts can be applied to all areas of human behaviour, and guide the actions of members of the Triratna Buddhist Order, and other experienced members of the Triratna community at Brixton Buddhist Centre.
It is important to note that these ethical precepts represent intentions or principles, not rules or commandments. Buddhism recognises that we can always be more ethical and more skilful in our behaviour, so ethical practice is a lifelong one of noticing where our behaviour falls short, and striving to improve it further.
The five basic principles are:
1. Minimisation of harm – whether physical, psychological, emotional or environmental.
2. Generosity – freely giving of time, energy and resources, including running many of our classes on a donations basis.
3. Cultivating contentment – both in relation to possessions and in our personal and/or sexual relationships, where we aspire to act with awareness and kindness at all times.
4. Communicating truthfully – in all our communications either written or spoken.
5. Mindfulness – engaging with our practices and with each other with as much mindfulness as possible.
In public situations we also have a broader duty of care to those coming along to our classes. Brixton Buddhist Centre, in addition to these principles, has various safeguarding policies in place to ensure that people are treated fairly and with care.
These will put made available online shortly. However, in the meantime you may request a copy of these by emailing us at info@brixtonbuddhistmeditation.org