1. Purpose
The Living Council provides a formal, fair, and compassionate process to resolve grievances
within the SokukoJi Buddhist Community. While each situation is unique, this process
provides a consistent structure to ensure safety, dignity, and accountability. It has been
established to facilitate a safe environment where members of the SokukoJi Buddhist
Community can address mistreatment, conflicts, and other indiscretions arising within the
community.

2. Scope
This process applies to all members, visitors, students, volunteers, teachers, and staff.

3. Definitions
• Grievance: A concern or complaint alleging conduct that negatively impacts a community
member or violates standards.
• Complainant: Person submitting a grievance.
• Respondent: Person whose conduct is alleged to have caused harm.
• Coordinator: Living Council Coordinator who manages intake and process.
• Living Council: Three impartial members appointed to hear a grievance.
• Retaliation: Any adverse action tied to someone raising or participating in a grievance,
including subtle forms such as ostracism, loss of access, or intimidation.
• Listening Process: Informal, supportive listening by two or more neutral monks with
documentation of concerns.
• Support Person/Advisor: A person chosen by either party to provide support (non-
speaking unless permitted by facilitator).

4. Core Principles
• Compassion and dignity for all parties
• Fairness and neutrality in process and membership
• Confidentiality with clear limitations (safety, legal duties)
• Non-retaliation and good-faith participation
• Consistency with flexibility grounded in this policy

5. Non-Retaliation & Good-Faith

Retaliation is strictly prohibited against anyone who, in good faith, raises a concern or
participates in the process. Alleged retaliation will be treated as a separate grievance and
addressed promptly.

6. Confidentiality &Records
• Information is shared only with those who need to know: the Coordinator, the Council,
limited administrative staff, the Board (for appeals), legal counsel, and law enforcement or
agencies when required.
• Records (intake forms, notes, Resolution Documents) are stored securely with limited
access.
• Retention: Keep records 7 years from case closure unless law requires longer.
• Limits: Confidentiality may be limited to address immediate safety, credible threats, child
abuse, or when law requires reporting.

7. Conflict-of-Interest (COI) & Impartiality
If a conflict of interest is identified, a trained external advisor or mediator may be included
in the Living Council Grievance Process.

8. Process & Timelines

8.1 Informal Resolution (Optional)
Parties may attempt direct discussion if safe and appropriate.
Listening Process: The Complainant may request two or more neutral monks to listen and
document concerns. The Coordinator acknowledges the request within 5 business days and
schedules promptly.

8.2 Formal Grievance Submission
1) Submit an email to LivingCouncil@Sokukoji.org if remote or use a form provided at the
temple.
2) Formal acknowledgment of filing
3) What happened and who was involved
4) Previous attempts to resolve
5) Desired outcome
6) Other pertinent information
Acknowledgment: Within 5 business days of receipt, the Coordinator confirms and conducts
initial safety/legal triage.

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8.3 Council Formation &Scheduling
• The Coordinator appoints three impartial members.
• Conflict-of-interest screening is performed; members may be replaced to ensure
neutrality.
• The grievance meeting is scheduled within 30 days of acknowledgment (extensions
allowed with written notice to both parties).

8.4 Grievance Meeting
• Facilitated by the Coordinator (or delegate).
• Note-taking is standard; participants are informed at the outset.
• Each party may have a support person present.
• Private sessions with the Council are available upon request.
• Behavioral expectations are maintained (respect, no interruptions, direct communication).

8.5 Resolution & Documentation
• Consensus is the goal; absent consensus, the Council issues a written determination and
recommended steps.
• A Resolution Document—summarizing findings of fact, conclusions, and next steps—will
be provided for signature within 7 days of the meeting.
• If a party declines to sign, the Coordinator will note the refusal and the document remains
in effect.
• Interim measures may be implemented at any point (e.g., no-contact directives, schedule
or access adjustments, safety plans).

8.6 Closure
• The Coordinator confirms completion of actions, notifies parties in writing, and closes the
matter administratively.
• Records retained per Section 6.

9. Meeting Guidelines (Behavioral Standards)
• This process is for communication, cooperation, collaboration, and compassion—not
interrogation.
• Ask questions to understand, not to lead.
• Speak directly; avoid attacks, blame, or name-calling.
• Listen without interrupting; the facilitator may pause discussion for grounding if needed.

• Be mindful of body language; avoid interpretive judgments.
• Consensus is sought for resolution and/or further action.
• Seat everyone at the same level (chairs or floor) unless accommodation is needed.

10. Appeals
A party may appeal within 10 business days of the Resolution Document on one or more of
these grounds:
1) Procedural error that materially affected the outcome
2) New evidence not reasonably available at the time
3) Disproportionate or inappropriate outcome relative to findings
Appeals go to the Board of Directors (or an independent reviewer designated by the Board).
The Board may uphold or modify for further review. The Board’s decision is final within the
organization. External avenues (e.g., agencies, law enforcement) remain available at any
time.

11. Legal & Mandatory-Reporting Guidance (Michigan)
Some situations may be beyond the Council’s sole jurisdiction and require external
reporting. Examples include, but are not limited to:
• Crimes (e.g., sexual assault, physical assault, credible threats, stalking,
fraud/embezzlement)
• Discrimination or harassment protected under law (e.g., Michigan Civil Rights Act)
• Child abuse/neglect (report to appropriate authorities; mandated-reporter duties apply to
those so designated by law)
Where to report (as applicable):
• Local Police / County Sheriff – for crimes or immediate threats
• Michigan Attorney General (AG) – consumer fraud/general issues
• Michigan Department of Civil Rights (MDCR) – discrimination/harassment
• Michigan Department of Licensing & Regulatory Affairs (LARA) – regulated industries
Important: This process does not constitute legal advice. The Community will consult legal
counsel as needed and will cooperate with law enforcement and regulatory agencies.
Individuals may report externally at any time, with or without using this process.

12. Training & Review

• Annual training for the Coordinator and Council members on the written policy, grievance
handling, confidentiality, and process documentation.
• Process reviewed annually (or sooner if law or organizational needs change).

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The Sixteen Bodhisattva Precepts as applied to the Living Council Process**

The Three Refuge Vows
We go to the Buddha for Guidance — All individuals participating in the Living Council
will endeavor to acknowledge the innate Buddha Nature of all participants. The intention of
our practice is to realize the Buddha’s Way and to see what the Buddha saw.

We go to the Dharma for Guidance — We endeavor to use the Buddha’s Teachings as a
guide for navigating our negativity and the negativity of others.

We go to the Sangha for Guidance — We aspire to create a community that inspires each
individual to function through communication, cooperation, collaboration, and compassion.

The Three Pure Precepts
We endeavor to act for the benefit of others — Using our awareness, we endeavor to act
for the benefit of all.

We endeavor not to interfere with the awakening of others — We aspire not to use our
negativity to create further negativity for ourselves or others.

We endeavor to function for the mutual benefit of all beings — Our vow as aspiring
Bodhisattvas is to be with all things. We endeavor to meet all things as they are, including
our own minds and negativity.

The Ten Grave Precepts
We endeavor to observe a complete view of killing — We seek to expand our
understanding of life to include not only living beings but also our own thoughts and the
thoughts of others. We endeavor to see how shutting down and interrupting our thoughts
and the thoughts of others disrupts the basic clarity of a situation.

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We endeavor to observe a complete view of stealing — We seek to understand that
there is nothing to possess or be possessed, while also acknowledging that everything is in
its own right, particular place. We endeavor to use each thing that arises in a way that
respects the totality of each situation.

We endeavor to observe a complete view of sexuality — We seek to avoid creating harm
through sexuality. With all of sexuality’s complex aspects, we endeavor to create a safe and
respectful observance of others’ emotional, mental and physical boundaries and to never
exploit others. We seek to cultivate an environment that is supportive to everyone,
regardless of sexual orientation or identity.

We endeavor to observe a complete view of speech — We seek to use language in a way
that does not take our awareness away from the basic clarity of the situation. We endeavor
to use open and direct communication to support every situation while not promoting,
destroying, or abandoning anything for the benefit of one’s self. We endeavor not to turn
our experiences into dharma gossip.

We endeavor to observe a complete view of intoxication — We seek to create a safe
environment that excludes intoxicants and other destructive substances on the Monastery
grounds and encourages the use of awareness regarding these substances outside of the
Monastery.

We endeavor to observe a complete view of past transgressions — We seek to practice
here and now. While not ignoring what has gone before us, we endeavor to relate to
everything as a living situation without becoming fixated or dismissive. We endeavor to be
creative when relating to our lives.

We endeavor to observe a complete view of cause and effect — We seek to understand
the Teachings of Dependent Origination. We endeavor to look at the complexity of each
situation and to include as much as possible as we move forward.

We endeavor to observe a complete view of attachment — We seek to provide these
teachings and a practice environment without being stingy or exclusive. Based on every
situation, we endeavor to include all who wish to be included.

We endeavor to observe a complete view of anger — While anger arises spontaneously
in all of us, we seek not to use our anger as the motivation for our actions, whether through
body, speech, or mind. We endeavor to relate to anger as it arises uniquely within ourselves.

We endeavor to have a complete view of the Three Treasures — We seek to
acknowledge Buddha Nature in all its forms. We seek to respect the many paths to the
Truth. We seek to support the awakening of all beings on their personal and shared paths.

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 *As this is a living document, it is subject to amendments by the Living Council Committee at any time.

**The Living Council is guided by the Sixteen Precepts.

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