Buddhist Council of Western Australia Inc.

As a diverse and vibrant community, the strength of Buddhism in Western Australia lies in our adherence to the core values of mindfulness, truth, and loving-kindness. Central to practicing the Dhamma is ensuring that our temples, monasteries, and centres remain sanctuaries of absolute safety and peace.

To this end, the Buddhist Council of Western Australia (BCWA) proudly declares its full, unreserved support for the Safe Buddhism Initiative: Holding Organisations to Account.

Spearheaded by the Buddhist Society of Western Australia (BSWA) and led by Venerable Mettaji, with the help of the Nan Tien Institute of Higher Education, Insight Exchange, Australian Sangha Association and the Federation of Australian Buddhist Councils, this online and live-streamed series addresses critical facets of organizational governance, ethical conduct, and transparency within Buddhist communities across Australia. We urge all committee members, monastics, lay leaders, and practitioners in Western Australia and beyond to engage with this vital initiative.

Understanding the Issue: Why Transparency and Governance Matter

While the Buddha’s teachings provide an immaculate blueprint for ethical living, Buddhist organisations are run by human beings and operate within modern civil societies. When governance frameworks are weak, or when a lack of clarity surrounds administrative roles and monastic codes, communities become vulnerable. Misunderstandings, disputes, and—in the most painful instances—abuses of power or misconduct can occur.

Too often, victims of harm face barriers when seeking recourse, and organisations find themselves ill-equipped to manage conflicts or reports of abuse properly. Fostering a “Safe Buddhism” requires an active commitment to accountability, aligning the timeless ethics of the Dhamma with robust, modern governance practices and secular legal responsibilities (such as state-based laws and Australian Sangha Association guidelines).

Core Areas Addressed by the Initiative

The Safe Buddhism series focuses directly on bridging the gap between spiritual ideals and practical safeguards. Recently three targeted workshops and panel discussions were held, tackling four foundational pillars:

1. Inspecting and Understanding Monastic Vows (The Vinaya): Cultivating a clear, transparent understanding of the Vinaya (monastic codes of conduct) across all major traditions (Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana) so that lay practitioners and committees know exactly what standard of conduct is expected of a monastic.

2. Implementing a Code of Conduct: Emphasizing that every Buddhist location must have an explicit, accessible, and enforceable Code of Conduct for both lay leadership and visitors to prevent harm from sexual misconduct and other forms of abuse.

3. Establishing Robust Dispute Resolution: Providing clear, actionable guidelines on how disputes should be handled domestically within an organization, alongside alternative external pathways when internal resolution is insufficient.

4. Providing Abuse Support Services and Resources: Highlighting immediate, independent professional services, including government agencies, available to support victims and survivors of abuse on their path to recovery.

Central to this effort is the strong promotion of the Oath Against Harm established by the Australian Sangha Association, encouraging an active, unconditional stance that misconduct and abuse are unacceptable in any circumstance.

Materials and Toolkits Available for Buddhist Temples Everywhere

To ensure this initiative translates into immediate safety improvements on the ground, a wealth of practical materials has been developed. These resources are designed to be freely accessible to any Buddhist temple or centre, regardless of tradition or size:

• Presentation Slides and Video Records: Comprehensive lecture slides detailing the structure of monastic ordination, the purpose and function of the Vinaya, and definitions of ethical accountability are available online.

• The Safe Buddhism Platform & Toolkits: The initiative aims to provide standard templates for Codes of Conduct, constitutional guidelines, and mediation pathways that align with Australian law.

• Recorded Educational Material: For those who missed the live broadcasts at the Dhammaloka City Centre, the full video recordings of the workshops are preserved and freely watchable on the BSWA YouTube channel. These feature invaluable contributions from Venerable Mettaji alongside expert academic and legal voices—such as Dr. Nadine Levy and Dr. Tiziana Torresi—exploring gender dynamics, human flourishing, and organizational ethics.

How You Can Participate and Access Resources

The BCWA encourages all member societies to actively review their current constitutions and grievance procedures using these tools. True compassion requires us to look honestly at our structures and build spaces where the vulnerable are protected.

• Watch the Recordings & Download Slides: You can access the complete event info, presentation slides, and updates directly on the official page: BSWA Safe Buddhism Series Info & Materials.

• Watch on YouTube: * Safe Buddhism Initiative – Session 1 Recording

  • Safe Buddhism Initiative – Session 2 Recording

• Contribute or Ask Questions: The initiative maintains a dedicated, confidential email channel for ongoing feedback, suggestions, and queries to help guide future toolkits: silaforsbi@gmail.com.

Let us work collectively to ensure that the light of the Dhamma is reflected not only in our words but in the structural safety and impeccable integrity of our communities.