Six Harmonies of the Sangha:
1. Ethical Harmony
Uphold the Vinaya and Bodhisattva precepts as the foundation of behavior, which sustain the Dharma in the world and create the causes and conditions to enter the deep wisdom of the Buddhas. Through sincere effort, strive to transform afflictions and embody these principles.

2. Doctrinal Harmony
Accept the Lotus Sutra as framework and the Dharmagupta Vinaya and Bodhisattva precepts as guiding practices. By relying on Mahayana sutras and commentaries from great masters, such as Nagarjuna, Zhiyi, Lama Tsongkhapa, Shantideva- continually refine understanding and wisdom.

3. Resource Harmony 
Material resources are shared communally with transparency, frugality, and diligence. This ensures that each person’s practice of the three higher trainings (ethics, meditation, and wisdom) is supported without hindrance.

4. Physical Harmony
Aim to live together in ways that support each other’s practice. Temples, viharas, and centers exist to facilitate Dharma study and practice, creating safe spaces for all. They are not the end, careers, or lifestyle decisions- but a means. Prioritize collective well-being, reduce personal preferences, and maintain clean, organized shared and personal spaces. Honor shared schedules and time commitments.

5. Speech Harmony
Avoid arguing, harsh speech, and competition. Disagreements need not be resolved immediately; if anger arises, we step back and return to the discussion with calm and mutual respect. Everyone is entitled to share their views when appropriate timed- but final decisions are made by consensus. In speech strive to be trustworthy, keeping commitments and promises to one another. Resolve inevitable conflict and disagreement through transparent communication and trust using non violent communication, mediators, etc. if neccessary. Engage in the principles of right speech.

6. Mental Harmony
The Dharma leads to liberation and peace. If discomfort or suffering arises, reflect on one’s practice, seek feedback from others, and address afflictions. Cultivate mental harmony by rejoicing in others’ successes, emulating their virtues, and approaching conflicts and differences with goodwill. 

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Four Qualities to Cultivate:
Pure, without anger
Do not retaliate or seek vengeance. Let go of slights, abuses, or harm. 

Cool, without desire
Avoid seeking personal gain in practice or teaching. Refrain from soliciting donations or being involved with organizational status, titles, ranks, or fame. If such motivations arise, pause and reflect on how worldly desires poison practice.

Bright, without ignorance
Guard against arrogance and sectarianism. Learn humbly from diverse Dharma approaches to refine compassion, wisdom, and skill.

Pervasive, with equality 
Balance equality with discernment. Respect differences in conditions, personality, and practice while offering equal support. Gender, race, age, sexuality, ability, class, country of origin or nonconformity are never grounds for disrespect or withholding the Dharma but also affect how a person receives and relates to the dharma. Wherever a person is in their life is the path, the path isn’t somewhere else except in immediate conditions.

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Respect the Sangha of 10 Directions
Welcome practitioners from all Buddhist traditions as equals and do not denigrate them. Acknowledge the broader Sangha, all monastics and realized beings as the symbolic and actual refuge. 

Even if their Vinaya or approach differs from one’s own or their practice and understanding of the sutras is varied- find the virtue in it. Rejoice and encourage others in their path and collaborate when practice and views align. In cases of irreconcilable disharmony, distance oneself without creating obstacles for their pursuit of awakening, trusting in their love for the Dharma and the power of the Buddhas to guide them. One does not need to disprove other communities, teachers, practitioners or dharma doors. Nor defend one’s own in worldly motivated debates to prove superiority. Avoid using use terms like ‘our sangha’ and ‘their sangha’ but our community/order/fellow practitioners/lotus friends, etc.

Representing the Dharma
As Buddhists, each practitioner represents Shakyamuni Buddha’s heritage. Monastics, priests, and lay practitioners equally strive to act with awareness of the impact they have on the Dharma existing in the world- especially in public context. Wearing religious garb or using Dharma names carries responsibility; avoid behavior that brings criticism or shame to the Buddhist community and your co-practitioners.

This includes not becoming involved with and addressing it when it arises: unethical, abusive, or disrespectful projects, groups, or teachers/leaders. Not endorsing or participating in dynamics, collaborations or affiliations that compromise one’s precepts or principles. In the Bodhisattva Precepts, practitioners should not become the envoys or representatives of government or through military efforts and collaborations. Nor position ourselves in various ways to gain profit in resources, status, or power.

As practitioners of the Lotus Sutra we avoid sectarian manners and debates. If we disagree with another’s approach or values the best advice is “don’t become further entangled through arguing and don’t create obstacles for their good works”. One can try to resolve a conflict or respectfully bring up a concern three times. If after those attempts it is clear the other party is not willing to engage- then exit the situation or relationship and maintain ‘peaceful practice.’

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Everyone is a work in progress, becoming a Buddha
Speak from personal experience and practice. Embrace being wrong and good faith criticism—it fosters growth. Honest reflection, even with flaws, is more valuable than seeking approval or pretending to be perfect, or seeking the praise of others.

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Suggestions for Co-Practice

1. Separate Personal and Dharma Identity  
Especially for priests, avoid blurring lay life roles and Dharma roles. Wearing robes or using Dharma names adds weight to actions and words- if we are functioning in a personal or lay role but also representing the Dharma it’s easy for the outsider to conflate the two. 

2. Social Media Responsibility
Avoid performative religiosity, such as posed ‘selfies’ or extravagant displays of devotion and holiness done for the camera. Avoid centering oneself in teaching or advertising. “Follow the dharma, not the person.” Avoid referring to oneself by honorifics, advertising which focuses on the speaker and not the topic or reinforcing ‘chains of command’ through job titles. Focus on sharing educational, encouraging, or personal content rather than simply being ‘Buddhist aesthetic’. Avoid promoting political parties, personal businesses, or flaunting wealth or connections within the context or role as a Buddhist practitioner.

3. Clothing and Possessions
Prefer simple, repaired natural fiber robes over costly materials. Avoid attachment to new items by marking or slightly altering them. For temple purchases, choose used or refurbished or secondhand items when possible and made from natural materials that will contribute back to- not damage – the environment. Monastics aim to “own only what they can carry”; priests should avoid excess or conspicuous consumption.

4. Dwellings 
Keep living spaces simple and frugal. Itinerant practitioners accept accommodations with humility, whether high or low quality, clean or dirty, fine or rough. Improve the spaces one is dwelling in.

5. Donations
Do not solicit or scheme for personal monetary donations, charge or hint for donations for providing Dharma teaching, sharing, or practice.