
On the Sharing of Personal Information & Practice in Sangha
The sangha is a precious container that facilitates the awakening to our fundamental buddhanature, a kind of radical belonging. The sangha serves as a clear mirror on the path, a source of encouragement and challenge equal to the teacher in its power to guide. Every person who practices with us contributes to the care of this container by practicing Right Speech. The formal “Koho” students and teacher are held to the highest level of responsibility for the well being of the sangha.
Our Zen lineage practice style is quite intimate. Programming includes many opportunities to share one’s experience and get to know each another. We learn a lot about how practice meets our life struggles. Over time, we can experience an increased willingness to be seen, to be vulnerable and begin to trust. Each person is encouraged to travel the path at their own pace, to share only personal information that one feels ready to share. Strong sangha bonds are fostered when we are able to listen deeply and speak openly. It helps us overcome the illusion of separate self. What we think is most personal becomes universal. When sensitive information is shared, the sangha and the teacher are both guided by the precepts. We hold what is learned about each other with respect, avoiding sharing information in a way that is harmful, divisive, or judgmental. Compassion and wisdom should guide our speech. This particularly requires each of us to be responsible for how we speak about someone who is absent. Failures will happen and we can be ready for compassionate redirection if this expectation is not upheld, particularly the teacher and the formal students who are held to a higher standard.
Confidentiality Light
There are some workshops and practice spaces like fall Ango where the leader may invoke an extra layer of boundary we call “confidentiality light” – that is, an agreement that sensitive material shared in those settings is not to be repeated with others without the permission of the speaker. We agree that if someone would like to follow up with another person about what they shared, that they ask that person first if they are open to talking about the material.
Sanzen
Sensitive information in sanzen with the teacher is always held respectfully and for a vast majority of instances remains in that protected space with the following exceptions: when the teacher needs to intervene based on reports of imminent harm to self or other, to consult with teachers or professionals on how to support someone’s struggle, when something known to the teacher supports understanding and compassion in the sangha (a common example would be to simply the general knowledge that someone is struggling), to give necessary feedback to leadership in the sangha about their behavior, and as a general teaching story about a dharma questions asked or an insights shared. Senior Koho students entering formal training particularly agree to a more fluid exchange of information among their peers and the teacher.
If there are any questions about the above, please feel free to speak to the teacher, a senior Koho student or board member to clarify or express concerns about speech that goes against the vow to support harmony in the sangha and be guided by the precepts. It is impossible to uphold the this expectation perfectly, but instead our commitment is to continue to learn from mistakes and nourish the sangha container in service of our collective awakening.