Teacher ethics, expected teacher standards,
procedures for addressing issues with teachers and giving constructive criticism

This website is independent and has no association with any organisation of teachers. In recent years there has been a panel of three senior teachers, Subhana Barzaghi, Patrick Kearney and myself, who make a call as to whether newer teachers get listed here.

The intention of the website is to publicise activities of teachers who maintain high standards of integrity. This includes acting in supportive and compassionate ways, not being conceited, acting with refined ethics and treating people respectfully.



1. Teacher ethics

The following outline of teacher ethics was developed in early 2025 by a group of Insight Teachers.

All Insight Meditation teachers have a responsibility to minimise harm. That includes how teachers relate to: students, the dharma community and people in general, and how they act in society, in relation to future generations, ecosystems and other beings we share the planet with.

Teachers commit to:

Being honest and respectful with students, community members, fellow teachers and others; not subjecting anyone to disparagement, coercive pressure or any sort of undesired attention.

Maintaining confidences received from students, except as required by law.     

Practicing openness and inclusivity in my relationships with others, allowing personal affinities a natural place but avoiding destructive favouritism.   

Paying close attention to the power that comes with the role of the teacher and not misusing this position of power in any way, particularly in dual relationships.

Refraining from inappropriate or harmful sexual interaction with students.   

Accepting financial support (dana) only when it is freely given, never making it an obligatory requirement.   

Paying attention to how one’s choices lead or contribute to direct or indirect harm to other people, other living beings, ecosystems and future generations

Taking care not to bring disrepute to the Insight Meditation teaching community by way of speech, images or expressing views not in alignment with these ethics and Buddhas teachings.

2. Procedudes for addesssing issues and giving constructive criticism

It may be the case that someone wishes to offer feedback or constructive criticism concerning a teacher listed on this website. To accommodate this, and to ensure confidence that the standards mentioned above are being taken seriously, we invite you to let us know of any issue you feel should be communicated. We offer a number of options to facilitate this.



Take it up with the teacher directly

We encourage direct communication with the teachers when there are issues of concern or constructive criticism of that teacher’s behaviour. This could be done face to face or if you have or can see the teacher’s email address, you can email them directly.



Approaching the teacher panel

Emails to the email address



will automatically go to the three teachers on the panel: Patrick Kearney, Subhana Barzaghi and myself. As well as issues or constructive criticism relating to other teachers you can also address issues related to one of us.

When this email



is used for issues related to other teachers, you can opt to:

    (a) Have your email forwarded to the teacher concerned with your name and contact details. You can ask for a response or advise that you don’t need a response;
   
    (b) Have the contents of your email forwarded to the teacher concerned without your name and contact details;
   
    (c) Not have your email forwarded but have it simply to point out an issue.

We would like students to not feel alone with issues they are concerned about. Feedback would provide an opportunity for individual teachers and/or the panel to hear your concerns.
 



Victor von der Heyde