KDOL Policies
KDOL ACCESS AGREEMENT
I, the undersigned, hereby covenant and agree with Kagyu Kunkhyab Chuling (“KKC”) as follows:
- Background
I understand that:- Kunzang Dechen Ozel Ling (“KDOL”) is a Buddhist retreat centre operated on private land (the “Property”) that is owned and managed by KKC.
- I am not permitted to attend any retreats, functions, services, or other events at KDOL, and I am not permitted to be present on the Property for more than two hours for any other reason, unless I first agree to the terms and conditions set out in this Agreement.
- I am not permitted to attend any retreat at KDOL unless I first apply for and receive express permission from KKC or a representative of KKC.
- KKC Policies and Rules
While on the Property, I will conscientiously comply with KKC’s Policies and Procedures Governing Conduct (the “Policies”) and all Rules applicable to KDOL (the “Rules”). I understand that I am solely responsible for familiarizing myself with the Policies and Rules. If I am not already familiar with the Policies and the Rules when I arrive at KDOL, I will ask a member of the KDOL staff to show them to me. - Restricted Individuals and Area
- I understand that KKC has demanded that Lama Tsenjur and Sabine Kirst (the “Restricted Individuals”) leave the Property, that the Restricted Individuals have refused to leave the Property, that the Restricted Individuals are occupying a portion of the Property (the “Restricted Area”) that is quite removed from the areas where KDOL conducts retreats and other activities, and that KKC has cordoned off and clearly marked the Restricted Area.
- If I see either of the Restricted Individuals on any part of the Property beyond the Restricted Area, I will promptly notify a KDOL staff member.
- I will not go into the Restricted Area and I will refrain from any contact or communication with the Restricted Individuals, subject only to a genuine emergency.
- Liability
- I understand that the Property is rugged, rustic and has unmarked dangers, such as cliffs and slippery surfaces. I will at all times conduct myself in a prudent manner appropriate for my age, physical capacity, and the weather. I will seek assistance where appropriate before attempting to go to an area with which I amnot familiar or that might require a physical capacity beyond my own.
- I assume full, exclusive responsibility and liability for my own actions and experiences while at the Property or while using or receiving the benefit of any facilities, structures, equipment, or vehicles owned, occupied or operated by or on behalf of KKC.
- I fully and irrevocably waive, release, remise and forever discharge KKC and all its lamas, directors, officers, employees, volunteers and other representatives from all claims and causes of action that I might now have or might acquire in the future in relation to any and every peril, casualty, event, injury, act, and omission that I may experience while at the Property or while using or receiving the benefit of any facilities, structures, equipment, or vehicles owned, occupied or operated by or on behalf of KKC, including claims and causes of action relating to the negligence of those being released, with the intention that all such claims and causes of action, however and whenever arising, will be fully extinguished.
- I agree to indemnity and save harmless KKC and all its lamas, directors, officers, employees, volunteers and other representatives from all liabilities, damages, costs, and expenses incurred by or claimed against any of them by me, or any of my successors, assigns, insurers, or representatives, arising from or in connection with (i) any act or omission of mine; (ii) any breach by me of any obligation under this Agreement, the Policies, or the Rules; (iii) any matter covered by the preceding paragraph in respect of which I or any of my representatives, insurers, successors or assigns should assert a claim against any of KKC or any of its lamas, directors, officers, employees, volunteers and other representatives.
- Legal
This Agreement is governed by the laws of British Columbia and all disputes hereunder shall be resolved in the Courts of British Columbia.
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I confirm and represent that I have attained the age of majority, and that I have read, understood and hereby agree to the terms and conditions set out above in is Agreement:
Name (print): ___________________ Signature:____________________
Witness Signature: ________________
Witness Name (print):____________________
Kagyu Kunkhyab Chuling Policies and Procedures Governing Conduct
(Version 3, June 2009)
1. Definitions
“Clergy” or “Clergyperson” means any spiritual teacher, guide or functionary as determined in accordance with generally accepted principles of Tibetan Buddhism, especially of the Kagyu lineages, including lamas, tulkus, yogis, monks, and nuns.
“Closed Retreat” means an advanced Retreat, normally longer than one month: (a) that is conducted under the supervision and direction of one or more Retreat Masters;
(b) in which restrictions are placed on the Retreatant’s physical movements at the Retreat land and on the Retreatant’s contact with other individuals who are present at the Retreat land.
“Council of Lamas” means the body having that name appointed by the Board of Directors from time to time.
“Ethics Officer” means the KKC officer appointed to that position by the Board from time to time.
“Event” means any spiritual activity hosted or managed, in whole or in part, by KKC, that is open to the public as well as the Sangha, such as teachings, empowerments, and retreats.
“Executive” means official representatives of KKC from time to time, including lamas, directors, and officers.
“External Clergy” means Clergy who are not part of KKC but who are approved by the Board and Clergy of KKC.
“Functions” means any activity conducted by or on behalf of KKC, including Services, Public Events, meetings, and gatherings.
“Group Retreat” means a Retreat in which more than one retreatant
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participates and which is organized and conducted on a general basis for a group.
“Individual Retreat” means a Retreat that is conducted by an individual retreatant under the supervision and direction of one or more Retreat Masters.
“Kalu Rinpoche” means Khyabje Kalu Rinpoche of Sonada Monastery on the date of these Policies, and his later incarnations who are recognized by the leaders of the Karma Kagyu and Shangpa Kagyu lineages.
“KKC” means Kagyu Kunkhyab Chuling.
“KKC Clergy” means Clergy who are officially appointed as such by KKC.
“KKC Premises” means property and premises owned, occupied or used by KKC from time to time, including the Vancouver Centre, KDOL, and premises used on a temporary basis from time to time as a location for Public Events or Functions.
“KDOL” means Kunzang Dechen Osel Ling, the retreat facility owned and operated by KKC on Salt Spring Island.
“KDOL Spiritual Supervisor” means the KKC Clergyperson approved by the Board to supervise spiritual functions activities at KDOL.
“Layperson” means any individual who is not Clergy.
“Retreat” means a spiritual retreat hosted or managed, in whole or in part by KKC at KKC Premises.
“Retreat Master” means the KKC Clergy and External Clergy responsible for particular Retreats.
“Rules” means rules established under Policy 2.4.
“Sangha” means the community of individuals who support KKC or participate in any of its Public Events or Functions, including official
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members of KKC, Executives, Retreatants, those who attend Services, and those who make donations to KKC.
“Sangha Member” means an individual who is part of the Sangha, and includes every Society Member.
“Senior Spiritual Teacher” means the lama appointed to that office by Kalu Rinpoche pursuant to Article V of the Constitution of KKC.
“Services” means any spiritual activity hosted or managed, in whole or in part, by KKC, directed primarily to the Sangha, including pujas, meditation sessions, and tsoks.
“Society Member” means an official member of the society Kagyu Kunkhyab Chuling incorporated under the Society Act of British Columbia.
“Sonada Monastery” means Samdrup Darjay Choling Monastery, currently headquartered in Sonada, Darjeeling District, West Bengal, India.
“Vancouver Centre” means the KKC Premises maintained by KKC in the Greater Vancouver area from time to time, which is currently on Sidley Street in Burnaby, BC.
“Visitors” means individuals who may enter or occupy KKC Premises but are not Sangha Members, including lodgers who occupy premises at the Vancouver Centre, workers (volunteer or paid), and members of other sanghas or the public who attend KKC Functions from time to time.
2. General Principles
2.1 Kalu Rinpoche’s Aspiration
Kagyu Kunkhyab Chuling was founded in 1972 by Kyabje Kalu Rinpoche as a place for people to develop their spiritual potential within the framework of the Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. As students of Kalu Rinpoche, we endeavour to provide a community based on the principles of non-harming and compassion that will
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“When one speaks of the Dharma of the Buddha, what is it fundamentally? The Dharma provides us with spiritual benefits. First of all, one must have an attitude of love and compassion directed toward benefiting others. On this basis, it is important to understand the mind—the driving force of mental activity. How is it? What is it? By meditating one begins to have an idea of its nature and gains some control of the mind. This allows us to turn away from samsara and enter the path of liberation... If we understand the nature of mind to some extent, we naturally comprehend karma, the workings of action; cause and effect. As a result, we give up all negative actions and the sufferings they cause and then act virtuously, thus creating good karma.”
– H. E. Kalu Rinpoche
2.2 Harmony in the Sangha
All Lamas, Executives, Sangha Members, and Visitors should conduct themselves in a manner that promotes and maintains harmony within the Sangha.
“When there is harmony, then things can only develop for the good. In addition, there is the concept of samaya, the commitment that one receives when one begins Vajrayana or tantric practice. When one is associated with a center, with other people, and a teacher, and when one has received the same teachings and empowerments and transmissions, one shares a very strong bond with those individuals as one’s vajra brothers and sisters. Harmony is especially important on this level, because it is that which contributes to the extreme rapidity of the tantric path. To deliberately spurn that bond is correspondingly very negative. So, harmony becomes important not only on a general social level of benevolence and good will, but also on a level of samaya. One has taken on oneself a commitment that must be respected.
In a center, the lama is the head and the students and members of the center are the body. One cannot live and work without the
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other. There is a sense of a collective experience as they travel together to the highest heights; if the samaya is broken, they will all go down together. If lamas and students can work together in harmony, then I see nothing but positive development in the future.”
– H. E. Kalu Rinpoche
2.3 The Precepts
The following Rules of conduct have been adopted to support these goals:
• Refrain from killing. • Refrain from lying. • Refrain from sexual misconduct. • Refrain from stealing. • Refrain from the use of alcohol and other intoxicants.
2.4 Establishment of Rules
KKC's Board of Directors or Council of Lamas may establish Rules from time to time governing the conduct of all persons present at particular KKC Premises, Events, or Functions. Those Rules will have the same force and effect as these Policies.
2.5 Dharma Etiquette
As well, the following Rules of Dharma etiquette must be observed: • On entering the shrine room, bow toward the shrine. • Place Dharma texts on a raised surface, not directly on the floor.
Do not step over Dharma texts. • Do not sit with your legs stretched out toward a lama or the
shrine. • Rise and bow upon the arrival of a Clergyperson giving a teaching
or presiding over Services and remain in that position until the
Clergyperson is seated. • When Clergy has completed giving a teaching or conducting
Services, rise before they do and bow until they have left the location.
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2.6 Executive Discretion to Require Departure
Any Executive or Lama may request any Visitor or Sangha Member who violates these Policies or any Rules to leave KKC Premises, Events, or Functions. Visitors and Sangha Members must comply with such a request.
3. Policies Governing Conduct on All KKC Premises and at all KKC Functions
3.1 General Requirements
The stated goal for KKC is to provide the opportunity for people to be instructed in Dharma practice and teachings.
In general, Sangha Members and Visitors must conduct themselves in a courteous and respectful manner toward others and the environment.
As well, Sangha Members and Visitors must abide by all Rules governing access to and use of specific KKC Premises.
3.2 Specific Prohibitions
To create an environment in which people are supported in these endeavours, on all KKC Premises and at all KKC Functions, including any premises rented for occasional, extraordinary Functions, the following conduct is prohibited:
• Smoking; • Consumption of intoxicating substances; • Participation in Functions while intoxicated or being physically
present on KKC Premises while intoxicated; • Rowdy or aggressive behaviour; • Objectionable language; • Divisive or harmful speech or actions; • Disrespect for spiritual leaders, Buddhist lineages, other
religions, retreatants, Sangha Members, or Visitors.
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4. Policies Governing Conduct at All KKC Retreats 4.1 All Retreats
• Comply with all the Policies set out or referred to above. • Comply with all the Rules established for the particular Retreat
in which one is participating. • Comply with all the Rules established for particular Premises. • Follow the requirements established by the responsible Retreat
Masters for particular Retreats. • Must be conducted with the permission and under the direction
of: i. the Senior Spiritual Teacher or the KKC Clergyperson who
is responsible for the KKC Premises on which the Retreat is
taking place; and ii. the Retreat Master(s) responsible for each Retreat.
4.2 Individual Retreats
Permission Compulsory
Permission to do an Individual Retreat is given only on an individual basis on request. Whether or not permission will be granted is entirely within the discretion of the responsible Clergy, but will generally take into account a variety of factors including the maturity of the individual’s meditation practice and their previous Retreat experience.
Short-Term Individual Retreats
Unless otherwise directed by the Retreat Master, Retreatants must: • attend scheduled group meditations; • abide by the Rules of conduct, including those relating to the
maintenance of silence; • perform work assignments established by the Retreat Master or
other Retreat Staff, from time to time • comply with Rules governing access to and egress from Retreat
facilities and contact with others; • confer with and follow the directions of the Retreat Master.
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Long-Term, Individual Retreats – Open
Individual retreatants conducting a long term, individual, open retreat must:
•abide by all Policies, Rules and guidelines established for short- term individual Retreats;
•maintain their personal Retreat living quarters and, upon completion of the Retreat, leave those living quarters clean and ready for the next retreatant;
• provide their own food and prepare their own meals, unless otherwise arranged;
• to the extent reasonably possible, take care of personal appointments, such as dental check-ups, before coming to the Retreat land or after leaving;
• foreign students must have medical insurance and any visas as required by the Government of Canada.
5. Work-Study Retreats
Programs for work-study retreatants will be tailored on an individual basis.
All individuals taking part in a work study retreat must: •abide by all Policies, Rules and guidelines established for
Individual Retreats.
6. Policies Governing Closed Retreats
Long-Term Closed Retreat
Permission to do a long-term, closed Individual Retreat is given only on an individual basis, on request. Whether or not permission will be granted is entirely within the discretion of the responsible Clergy and KKC’s Board of Directors, and will take into account a variety of factors, including maturity of the individual’s meditation practice and their previous Retreat experience.
Individual Retreatants conducting a long-term closed Individual Retreat must:
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•abide by all Policies, Rules, and guidelines for long-term open Individual Retreats;
•stay within the boundary of the closed Retreat area designated by KKC for the stated duration of their Retreat, except for personal, health or other emergencies;
•refrain from inviting or meeting with any persons within the boundary of the retreat area except for, and as the need arises:
i. health professionals, Executives, and attendants appointed or approved by KKC’s Board;
ii. any visitor who is approved by the Senior Spiritual Teacher of KKC or by the KDOL Spiritual Supervisor.
•have no direct communication, other than written, with anyone outside the retreat boundary;
•provide the funds for and, unless the Retreat Master has appointed a cook for the retreatant, prepare their own meals;
•maintain their personal Retreat living quarters, and, upon completing the Retreat, leave those living quarters clean and ready for the next retreatant.
•to the extent reasonably possible, take care of personal appointments, such as dental check-ups, before coming to the Retreat land or after leaving;
•foreign students must have medical insurance and any visas as required by the Government of Canada.
Policies Governing KKC Executives
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Members of the Executive will follow ethical behaviour and will not misuse their position of authority. Misuse of authority includes:
• conduct for the purpose of, or with the result of, obtaining personal or sexual favours;
• misappropriation of KKC funds; • misrepresentation of the goals or activities of KKC, or of their
own position within KKC to anyone.
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8. Sexual Harassment Policy
8.1 General
KKC is committed to the creation and maintenance of a Dharma Centre that enhances the dignity and self-respect of all its teachers, members, and the public it serves. This includes the expectation of compliance with the British Columbia Human Rights Code.
KKC considers harassment in any form to be totally unacceptable and will not tolerate its occurrence.
Harassment is unwelcome conduct or comments based on a prohibited ground defined in the British Columbia Human Rights Code, which might reasonably be expected to cause embarrassment, insecurity, discomfort, intimidation, or humiliation to another person or group.
8.2 Specific Conduct
Sexual harassment includes but is not limited to: • a person asking for sexual favours for any reason; • unwelcome remarks, questions, jokes, or innuendo of a sexual
nature including sexist comments or sexual invitations; • verbal abuse, intimidation, or threats of a sexual nature; • leering, staring, or making sexual gestures; • display of pornographic or other sexual materials; • offensive pictures, graffiti, cartoons, or sayings; • unwanted physical contact such as touching, patting, pinching, or
hugging; and • physical assault of a sexual nature.
Inappropriate conduct may be verbal, non-verbal, physical, deliberate, or unintended, unsolicited, or unwelcome.
9. Complaint Procedure
To initiate a complaint at KKC, with respect to the preceding Policies or any Rules, the party or parties who desire to file a complaint should submit a letter to the Ethics Officer that includes:
• a request that a formal complaint procedure be started;
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• the name of the person(s) whose behaviour is the subject of the complaint;
• a detailed description of the alleged behaviour to assist the Ethics Officer evaluate whether the complaint is appropriate subject matter for initiating the formal complaint procedure;
• a history of the attempt(s), if any, to resolve the complaint through other means; and