We take refuge in Sangha In taking refuge in Sangha, we acknowledge the central role that Zen Center community life has in our practice. Because part of taking refuge is the offering of refuge, we aspire to create an inclusive environment for everyone's engagement in the Bodhisattva Way. When our diversity appears to separate us, our practice is to engage in a careful process of recognizing, understanding, and appreciating our differences. In so doing, we affirm and respect our differences and similarities in gender, age, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, political belief, and physical abilities and appearances. In creating an inclusive sangha, it is essential that we encourage open, ongoing communication among all residential and non- residential sangha members, and that any ethical concerns or conflicts which arise are fully heard and addressed by the Zen Center community in an appropriate forum. To facilitate this, Zen Center members are encouraged to study the religious and communal contexts, reasons, and limits for authority and decision- making at Zen Center.

We wish our life within the Zen Center sangha to express our Zen practice and bodhisattva intention. As the bodhisattva path is our heartfelt response to suffering, turning away or skimming over suffering through silence, rationalization, assigning blame, minimizing, feeling self-deprecating guilt, or not listening deeply to its causes and conditions are all steps directed away from the bodhisattva path itself. Furthermore, avoidance is a condition for additional suffering.

Thus, when a conflict, grievance, dissonance or violation of the precepts arises in our interpersonal relationships it is essential to attend to it fully. Personally, this involves waking up to our own contribution to the suffering in these situations through understanding our reactions, emotions and attachments. Interpersonally, this involves taking the time to discuss the conflict with the other parties involved in an attempt to clarify the actual causes, conditions, feelings and responses that come together in the situation.

What follows are guidelines and procedures for resolving conflicts and transgressions within the Zen Center sangha. It is our hope that such resolutions take the form of reconciliation - with oneself and with others. Whenever possible, disputes and disagreements should be resolved informally and directly between the people involved. There are many ways, including normal administrative and temple channels, that Zen Center members may attempt informal resolution and reconciliation. If you have ANY question or feedback, please contact the People Development Department at humanresources@sfzc.org

SFZC Conflict, Complaint and Ethics Review Process