As participants and members of this community, we are committed to living in alignment with Buddhist ethical principles and to fostering a safe, respectful, and supportive environment for everyone.

We recognise that our behaviour affects not only our own practice, but also the wellbeing of the wider community. In this spirit, we commit to the following guidelines. They reflect the spirit of the Five Universal Precepts—gifts of fearlessness that we freely offer to ourselves and to one another.

1. Non-harm

• I commit to practising compassion and kindness, avoiding harm to myself and others through my actions, speech, and intentions.
• I will act with care and consideration towards all beings and show respect for the natural world and the life it supports.

2. Truthfulness

• I will practise honesty and integrity in my speech and actions, avoiding falsehood, deception, gossip, or speech that creates division.
• I will communicate with clarity, respect, and openness, particularly when discussing sensitive or personal matters.

3. Sexual ethics

• I will maintain healthy, respectful boundaries within the community.
• I will not engage in sexual misconduct or exploit the trust or vulnerability of others, recognising that relationships within a practice community deserve particular care and respect.

4. Property and financial integrity

• I will respect the property of others by not taking anything that has not been freely given.
• I will act honestly and responsibly in matters involving financial contributions or the use of community resources.
• I will support the community with generosity while encouraging fairness, accountability, and transparency.

5. Respect for boundaries and responsible use of influence

• I will respect the personal and professional boundaries of teachers, mentors, facilitators, and fellow participants.
• I will remain mindful of differences in experience, responsibility, or influence and will never manipulate, coerce, or exploit another person for personal benefit.
• I will seek to build relationships based on equality, dignity, mutual respect, and compassionate care.

6. Accountability

• I will take responsibility for my actions and remain open to feedback if I unintentionally cause harm.
• If I experience or witness behaviour that appears unethical or harmful, I will raise my concerns through the appropriate channels with honesty, kindness, and compassion.

7. Avoiding intoxicants

• I recognise that intoxicants can cloud awareness and weaken wise judgement.
• I therefore commit to avoiding the misuse of substances that undermine mindfulness, ethical conduct, or the safety of myself or others.

8. Respect for the community (Sangha)

• I will contribute to creating a welcoming, inclusive, and harmonious community by practising patience, forgiveness, kindness, and understanding.
• I will respect every member of the community, regardless of their background, identity, abilities, or experience.

9. Commitment to learning and practice

• I will approach the teachings with sincerity, curiosity, and an open heart.
• I will actively engage in my own practice while encouraging and supporting others in theirs.

10. Confidentiality and privacy

• I will respect the confidentiality of personal or sensitive information shared within the community.
• I will not share another person’s experiences, stories, or personal information without their knowledge and consent.

Our shared commitment

By following these guidelines, I commit to helping create a community rooted in care, honesty, trust, safety, and respect.

I understand that this Code of Conduct is not simply a set of rules, but a collection of gifts that we freely offer to one another in order to create a fearless community. These commitments are also a path of practice—helping us cultivate compassion, wisdom, integrity, and freedom in our relationships with others and in our own lives.

This Code of Conduct provides a shared ethical foundation for everyone who participates in the RAFT community. It is intended to support an environment in which all people can practise, learn, recover, and flourish together.