Hello my dharma friends,
I write this in an attempt to set some guidelines regarding proper conduct at our dharma center, Chicago Ratna Shri. In order that our dharma center may be a place of spiritual development and refuge for the students who come here, there are certain topics of conversation that I ask you all to avoid bringing up at the center. Certain topics can quickly become the subject of strong attachment and aversion, and can lead to arguments and a feeling of being unwelcome.
1. Since this is a place for meditation, spiritual learning, and practice, anyone is welcome regardless of the individual's political beliefs, etc. So I ask that you refrain from engaging in political discussions. Whatever your political views are you may hold to them without getting into conversations and arguments. It is important that everyone who comes to the center has an attitude of love, compassion, and the wish to benefit others. You should also maintain an attitude of acceptance, openness and non-discrimination. Since political discussions often lead to arguments, defensiveness and strong judgment, it would be better to avoid such topics altogether at the dharma center.
2. I also ask that you maintain a similar attitude of acceptance and non-judgment regarding other spiritual traditions and Buddhist sects. It would be best not to get into conversations about lineages and spiritual traditions with a mind of judgment, regarding some as "good" and others as "bad".
3. I also ask that you avoid talking about Lamas and spiritual teachers with an attitude of partiality. If you have faith in a particular teacher that is good, but you don't need to persuade others into feeling a sense of partiality based on your beliefs. Also, you should always avoid discussing the faults of others - especially spiritual teachers.
I hope you will all understand the reasons for these guidelines and that you can uphold them respectfully. It is only because I wish to create an atmosphere of harmony and spiritual development. So I hope we can all make a conscious effort to do so together.
Thank you,
Drupon Rinchen Dorjee
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