The Third Precept, #MeToo, and what happens now.
Sit & Dharma Talk with SIM Community Mentor Rev. Diane Wilde

The Five Precepts are the training in moral conduct for the individual as well as providing safety for all sentient beings. The third precept is; “I will train in refraining from sexual misconduct”. This precept is generally recited along with the other four, but rarely discussed in great length. Dharma teachers sometimes find it to be an uncomfortable topic and even amongst Buddhist scholars, there are differences on its interpretation.

Contemporary society is now contending with the ramifications of sexual misconduct (and alleged sexual misconduct) at all levels of society, and Buddhist teachers and students are not immune. Reports of allegations of predatory behavior are now being openly discussed in all three major Buddhist traditions, Theravada, Mahayana and Vajryana. Currently, recognized teachers in all three are being accused of sexual exploitation of students and others.

Tonight we will look at the actual teachings regarding the Third Precept, how it is effecting our teachers and our own lives, and how do we as a community contend with what is taking place.

Sacramento Insight Meditation events are sustained by the generosity of instructors in offering teachings freely and on the generosity of students and members of the meditative community in the form of financial support, service and participation in events. With our practice of dana, we support our Sangha.