Watch the Safe Buddhism Series on the BSWA YouTube Channel
With Venerable Mettaji.
The Buddhist Society of Western Australia (BSWA) is pleased to announce a new online series focused on governance, ethics, and accountability within Buddhist organisations.
Drawing on BSWA’s considerable experience in these areas, this series—Safe Buddhism Initiative: Holding Organisations to Account—will be live-streamed across three Saturday sessions in May. It is designed to support both individuals and organisations across Australia in fostering safe, ethical, and well-governed Buddhist communities.
Session Dates, Times & Materials:
- SESSION 1: Saturday 2nd May, 1:00 – 2:30pm
- SESSION 2: Saturday 9th May, 1:00 – 2:30pm
- Presentation Slides – Session 2 (Only first 6 were used);
- Dr Tiziana Torresi Presentation Slides;
- Dr Nadine Levy Presentation Slides
- SESSION 3: Saturday 16th May, 1:00 – 2:30pm
- Presentation Slides – Session 3
- Supporting Buddhist Communities to prevent and Respond to Family Violence toolkit (The intention is to try and replicate resources such as these across Australia)
- This session emphasised skilled responses and accessing qualified resources. You are encouraged to watch a 4 minute animation called “Follow my lead“: It shares reflections on centering victims and survivors in uplifting our responses.
- We can also recommend the following Insight Exchange videos to help everyone understand the elements of abuse and how to respond:
- What is abuse?
- “What is Domestic Family and Sexualised Violence” (4 min)
- “Follow MY Lead “
- “I am I can” (4 min) Focuses on perpetrators and violence being a choice
- Reflective resources on how to respond to abuse:
- What is abuse?
The Safe Buddhism 3rd session had an audio problem for those listening online. Thanks to the wonderful help of the AV team a new YouTube has now been posted with re-recorded segments: “ Safe Buddhism Initiative: Holding Organisations to Account – Part 3 | Ven Mettaji | 16 May 2026. Ajahn Brahm gives his perspective on Safe Buddhism in the final discussion.
A Safe Buddhism website is now being designed and constructed
Venue: Dhammaloka City Centre (with live-stream available)
The series will feature a blend of presentations and panel discussions
exploring key topics, including:
· Inspect the Vinaya of all Traditions and clearly understand the vows of a Monastic.
· Understand the importance of a Code of Conduct in every Buddhist location.
· Provide guidelines on Dispute resolution (where necessary) and the multiple paths, including external resources, presently available.
· Highlight Support services and Resources that are available (including Government agencies) for victims of abuse.
The Oath against Harm is an important Context for the 3 workshops, and will be highly encouraged: Oath Against Harm – Australian Sangha Association
The intention of the sessions is to encourage dialogue, right actions, and mindful and caring responses. Anyone can email silaforsbi@gmail.com with questions and suggestions -which will guide the sessions. Material and toolkits will be posted online at the end of the 3 sessions.
Each session will include opportunities for open discussion and Q&A.
Recordings will also be made available via the BSWA YouTube channel.
We warmly invite all those interested in strengthening ethical practice and
accountability in Buddhist communities to participate.
