PRINCIPLES & PRACTICES
Dharmalaya is a neo-traditional NGO, meaning that we endeavor to learn from the past and experiment in the present to forge a more harmonious and sustainable future. We work to preserve traditional wisdom and to carry it into the future by developing and promoting concepts and practices that can be readily understood and applied in the present.
Foundational Principles: Ahimsa, Karuna, Maitri, & Seva
Dharmalaya is rooted in the traditional principles of ahimsa (non-harming), karuna (compassion), maitri/metta (loving kindness), and seva (service). An holistic understanding of these values as applied in the modern world includes not only caring for all living beings, but also ecological responsibility expressed in a commitment to sustainable living.
To take the four values above together is to seek the integration of compassion, contemplation, and action. In the terms of the spiritual traditions of the region, this is described as socially-engaged spirituality and spiritually-infused activism, but these are not exclusively ‘spiritual’ aims: they are universal human values shared by the secular and the spiritual. It is in this universal spirit that Dharmalaya seeks to understand and apply these principles in our work and in our world.
Policies & Practices
Dharmalaya is nonsectarian and committed to promoting mutual understanding, respect, and altruistic collaboration among people of all backgrounds and beliefs. We do not discriminate on the basis of nationality, ethnicity, religious belief, gender, sexual orientation, or economic status; we celebrate diversity and we warmly welcome all respectful and considerate people to participate in our programs.
We value compassion and respect for all life as taught in both the Hindu and Buddhist traditions, as exemplified by Mahatma Gandhi, and as expressed in H.H. the Dalai Lama’s philosophy of ‘Universal Responsibility’. As a part of this commitment to ahimsa, compassion, and Universal Responsibility, like most ashrams and Dharma centres, we serve only vegetarian food in our centres (with no animal products, so our kitchen is vegan and therefore suitable for the diets of the vast majority of spiritual traditions). Likewise, we use natural, eco-friendly building methods and grow our food organically, without the use of chemical fertilizers or pesticides.
Also, in our centres, we observe a code of conduct that respects both the Hindu yamas (virtues/disciplines) and the Buddhist panchasila (five virtuous commitments) as a way of maintaining harmony in ourselves, in our community, and with our environment.
Modern Global Ethical Standards
Building on the foundation of the traditional values of compassion, non-harming, and universal responsibility, Dharmalaya also endeavors to observe best practices for modern NGOs, including accountability, transparency, open-source sharing of ideas, and freedom from discrimination on the basis of gender, caste, religion, race, or sexual orientation.
In short, we are all human, and thus far from perfect, but we do our best to follow the principle of doing as much good as we can while causing as little harm as possible. If you have any suggestions that might help us improve, kindly let us know.