Protection Policies

Ethical Policy & Protection From Abuse Policy

Nalanda Monastery is affiliated with the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT), under the spiritual direction of Lama Zopa Rinpoche. The Monastery uses FPMT’s education programs and materials, created in a unique lineage of its founder, Lama Yeshe, and Lama Zopa Rinpoche.

As each FPMT centre is incorporated individually (is a separate legal entity), the Monastery is responsible for its own governance and finance. As with all FPMT centres, the Monastery follows the FPMT Ethical Policy. As well as the FPMT’s Protection from Abuse Policy. By clicking the links above you can see the full policies.

To further establish this, there are several Designated Protecting Persons who are ensuring a safe environment:

Ven. Thubten Sherab (Michel Henry, Director)
director[at]nalanda-monastery.eu
Ven. Losang Tenzin (Jacob Andersson, SPC)
spc[at]nalanda-monastery.eu
Benjamin Rolland (Karma Yoga Coordinator)
spc[at]nalanda-monastery.eu
Catherine Fradet (translator)
info[at]nalanda-monastery.eu (specify “For Katy”)

Should you ever feel the need to have a private conversation about a sensitive topic, please reach out either directly or indirectly to one of the above people.

FPMT Ethical Policy

A brief summary of the FPMT’s Ethical Policy, please find the full text here.

Five Lay Precepts: FPMT’s ethical foundation includes five rules: no killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying, or use of intoxicants (including alcohol, recreational drugs, and tobacco).
No Discrimination: FPMT prohibits discrimination based on race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, age, or disability.
No Harassment: FPMT promotes safe environments free from any form of harassment, ensuring dignity and respect for all.
Relationships: Sexual relationships between Dharma teachers and students during teachings, courses, or retreats are prohibited. Such relationships are discouraged at other times if a teacher-student relationship exists.
Right Speech: Authority figures must avoid gossip, harsh, or abusive language to prevent negative impacts on FPMT activities.
Finances: All FPMT income and expenditure must follow generally accepted accounting principles. Donations and income from Dharma item sales must be used as intended.
Whistleblower Protection: Individuals or groups raising concerns about illegal practices or policy violations within FPMT are protected from retaliation.

Additional policy for FPMT registered teachers, class leaders, and interpreters:

Confidentiality: Teachers, interpreters, and class leaders must respect student confidentiality, not disclosing student information without consent unless required by law, FPMT’s Protecting from Abuse policy, or to prevent harm.
Honesty: Dharma teachers and class leaders must be honest about their qualifications and correct any misrepresentations.
Avoiding Inappropriate Relationships: Dharma teachers and class leaders must not engage in or express interest in sexual relationships with students, volunteers, or other participants during teachings, courses, or retreats. They must not use their authority or position to pursue or initiate such relationships.

FPMT's Protection From Abuse Policy

A brief introduction to the FPMT’s Protection From Abuse Policy. Please find the full text here

OUR COMMITMENT TO PROTECTING FROM ABUSE:
Nalanda Monastery is committed to protecting people attending the Monastery from harm and abuse. We will also ensure that all staff and volunteers work together, in line with this Protecting from Abuse policy, and act promptly when dealing with allegations or suspicions of abuse or inappropriate behavior.

We accept the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant of Human Rights, which states that everyone is entitled to “all the rights and freedoms set forth therein, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status”. We also concur with the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which states that children should be able to develop their full potential, free from hunger and want, neglect and abuse.

Our Mission Statement

Nalanda provides a supportive environment in the West for monastics of Tibetan Buddhism in the tradition of Lama Tsongkhapa as taught to us by the founders of the FPMT organization (Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition), Lama Thubten Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche – to study, practice, serve and inspire all sentient beings under the guidance of our Spiritual Director, Kyabje Zopa Rinpoche. Nalanda aims to bring about progress in universal wisdom, altruism and compassion through an example of moral conduct and by upholding the teachings of the Buddha. Nalanda seeks to offer a warm welcome, service or guidance to everyone who interacts with its community.

STRIVING FOR A SPIRITUALLY & PHYSICALLY SAFE ENVIRONMENT

Nalanda Monastery is committed to maintaining and fostering a safe and supportive environment for Buddhist practice. Nalanda is affiliated to FPMT Inc., and applies the FPMT Ethical Policy as a standard of conduct. While on Nalanda property, everybody is asked to follow the FPMT Ethical Policy, that includes:

Living according to the principles of the five precepts. This includes no killing, stealing, engaging in sexual misconduct (in the context of Nalanda this means abstaining from sexual conduct completely), lying or taking intoxicants (alcohol, recreational drugs or tobacco).
No discrimination, such as on the basis of race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, age or disability.
No harassment, such as sexual harassment, intimidation, bullying or retaliation to those who raise concerns.
Avoiding gossip, harsh or abusive language.

Nalanda Monastery particularly advises the community that any person in a position of authority: teachers, the director, board members, program coordinators and managers of Nalanda Monastery uphold these principles and demonstrate harmonious and respectful behavior that is safe for all and supportive of Dharma practice.

DOING NOTHING IS NOT AN OPTION

If Nalanda management know or suspect that someone is being treated in a discriminating, harassing manner, or is not respected or is at risk of any kind, we will respond and ensure that the ethical policy is implemented swiftly. Nalanda’s grievance procedure will be followed in these cases. If you suspect someone to be at risk or have a grievance or complaint yourself, the first point of contact is with the director, unless the complaint involves the director, in which case please contact any of the board members. You can request that concerns remain confidential, however it is important to know that Nalanda is committed to protecting the privacy of everyone at the monastery, within the restrictions of French law.