THE HSWAGATA BUDDHA TOOTH RELIC PRESERVATION MUSEUM
FOR INTERNAL USE ONLY
Template No.: T105
Template Title: DOCTRINAL REVIEW CHECKLIST FOR NEW POLICIES
Related Research Case IDs / Cluster: ___________________________
Linked Templates / Policies: _________________________________
Date of form: ____ / ____ / ______
Prepared by / Role: _________________________________________
Office / Unit: ______________________________________________
Country / Location: _________________________________________
Confidentiality Level (tick one):
[ ] Internal only [ ] Restricted [ ] Sacred-Restricted / Sensitive
Use of this form (tick):
[ ] New case / action [ ] Follow-up [ ] Annual review [ ] Archive only
SECTION 1 – BASIC POLICY INFORMATION
1.1 Policy Name
1.2 Policy Code / Reference (if any)
1.3 Type of Policy (tick main one)
[ ] Governance / Board
[ ] Relic custodianship / ritual
[ ] Finance / donations
[ ] Human resources / volunteers
[ ] Security / conflict / HGT
[ ] Scientific testing / labs
[ ] Community engagement
[ ] Other: _________________________________________________
1.4 Policy Version
[ ] First draft
[ ] Revised draft
[ ] Final draft before approval
Version number / date: ______________________________________
SECTION 2 – KEY ISSUES IN THIS POLICY
2.1 Short Description of Policy
(2–4 lines, in simple words.)
2.2 Main Issues Touched by This Policy (tick all that apply)
[ ] Use, care, or movement of relics
[ ] Ownership or control of land / buildings
[ ] Use of money or valuables
[ ] Power of leaders / guardians
[ ] Treatment of staff / volunteers / monks / laity
[ ] Information control (files, media, stories)
[ ] Conflict and peace-building
[ ] Relations with other temples or religions
[ ] Science, testing, or labs
[ ] Other: _________________________________________________
2.3 Possible Sensitive Areas
(Short note on what could hurt faith, peace, or trust if handled badly.)
SECTION 3 – SĪLA / NON-HARM CHECK
(Does this policy agree with basic Buddhist ethics?)
3.1 Five-Precept Lens (tick if any risk is found)
-
Killing / harm to life (pāṇātipātā)
[ ] No issue found
[ ] Possible risk (explain): ______________________________ -
Stealing / misuse of property (adinnādānā)
[ ] No issue found
[ ] Possible risk (explain): ______________________________ -
Sexual misconduct / boundary problems (kāmesu micchācārā)
[ ] No issue found
[ ] Possible risk (explain): ______________________________ -
False speech / hiding truth (musāvādā)
[ ] No issue found
[ ] Possible risk (explain): ______________________________ -
Use of intoxicants / loss of mindfulness (surāmeraya)
[ ] No issue found
[ ] Possible risk (explain): ______________________________
3.2 Other Ethical Concerns (tick if present)
[ ] Encourages greed (lobha) – e.g. over-focus on profit, fame
[ ] Encourages anger (dosa) – e.g. revenge, punishment spirit
[ ] Encourages delusion (moha) – e.g. false claims, superstition
[ ] Risk of discrimination (gender, caste, race, religion, class)
[ ] Risk of abuse of power / bullying
[ ] Risk of disrespect to elders, donors, or community
[ ] Risk of harm to environment / heritage
If any box is ticked, explain briefly:
SECTION 4 – VINAYA & MONASTIC-RELATED POINTS
(Complete especially if the policy affects monks, nuns, novices, or monastic spaces.)
4.1 Does this policy give tasks to monastics that may:
[ ] Break or pressure Vinaya rules
[ ] Put monks / nuns into money-handling situations
[ ] Push monastics into political fights
[ ] Put monastics in unsafe or unclear living situations
If yes, please explain:
4.2 Protection of Monastic Integrity
[ ] Policy protects monastics from improper requests
[ ] Policy keeps money-handling mainly with lay people
[ ] Policy is clear about roles of monks / nuns vs lay staff
Notes:
SECTION 5 – OWNERSHIP VS CUSTODIANSHIP NOTES
5.1 How Does the Policy Talk About Relics and Sacred Objects?
[ ] As private property of one person or group
[ ] As heritage for the wider community
[ ] As sacred trust / dhamma-dāna, beyond simple ownership
[ ] Not clear
Short explanation:
5.2 Custodianship Principles (tick where clearly supported)
[ ] Relics and sacred items are to be guarded, not exploited
[ ] Decisions are made for long-term faith and peace, not short gain
[ ] More than one person has oversight (no single uncontrolled holder)
[ ] Movement or lending of relics follows clear, respectful rules
[ ] Benefits from relic-related activities go first to Dhamma work and community, not to private pockets
5.3 Risk of “Possessive Ownership”
Does the policy:
[ ] Give too much control to one person / small group?
[ ] Allow sale or pledge of sacred items?
[ ] Make relics mainly a tool for fundraising or status?
If any risk is seen, explain clearly:
SECTION 6 – OTHER DOCTRINAL & PEACE POINTS
6.1 Doctrinal Fit (Dhamma View)
[ ] Policy supports honesty, compassion, and wisdom
[ ] Policy supports non-violence and peaceful methods
[ ] Policy does not turn relics into a simple “magic object” for profit
[ ] Policy respects different levels of belief and understanding
Short doctrinal note (2–4 lines):
6.2 Peace and Conflict Sensitivity
[ ] Policy may reduce conflict and support harmony
[ ] Policy may increase conflict risk (inside or outside HSWAGATA)
If there is conflict risk, explain:
6.3 Groups That Might Be Harmed or Left Out
[ ] Monastics
[ ] Lay staff / volunteers
[ ] Local community
[ ] Women / youth / elders
[ ] Minority groups (ethnic / religious)
[ ] Other: _________________________________________________
Notes on how to protect them:
SECTION 7 – REVIEWER COMMENTS
7.1 Main Strengths of This Policy (Doctrinal / Ethical)
7.2 Main Concerns or Weak Points
7.3 Changes Suggested by Reviewer
Change 1: _________________________________________________
Reason: ____________________________________________________
Change 2: _________________________________________________
Reason: ____________________________________________________
Change 3 (optional): ______________________________________
Reason: ____________________________________________________
7.4 If Changes Are Not Possible, Suggested Safeguards
(Extra checks, training, clear instructions, etc.)
SECTION 8 – OVERALL ASSESSMENT & RECOMMENDATION
8.1 Overall Assessment (tick one)
[ ] Doctrinally sound – no major problems
[ ] Mostly sound – minor changes recommended
[ ] Mixed – some serious concerns must be fixed
[ ] Not acceptable – conflicts with basic Dhamma / Vinaya ethics
8.2 Reviewer’s Recommendation
[ ] Approve policy as it is
[ ] Approve only if suggested changes are made
[ ] Return for major revision and second review
[ ] Reject – do not move forward with this policy
Short explanation for recommendation (3–5 lines):
SECTION 9 – SIGNATURES & APPROVAL
9.1 Doctrinal Reviewer
Name: _______________________________________________________
Role / Position: ___________________________________________
Signature: ___________________________ Date: ____ / ____ / ______
9.2 Second Reviewer (optional – monastic / senior advisor)
Name: _______________________________________________________
Role / Position: ___________________________________________
Signature: ___________________________ Date: ____ / ____ / ______
9.3 Policy Owner Acknowledgement
I have read the doctrinal review and understand the advice.
Name: _______________________________________________________
Role / Position: ___________________________________________
[ ] I agree to make the suggested changes
[ ] I wish to discuss further before changing
Signature: ___________________________ Date: ____ / ____ / ______
SECTION 10 – ARCHIVE & FOLLOW-UP
10.1 Archive Code / Digital Folder Path
10.2 Next Review Date for This Policy
[ ] In 1 year
[ ] In 3 years
[ ] On this date: ____ / ____ / ______
10.3 Notes for Future Reviews
END OF FORM – T105 DOCTRINAL REVIEW CHECKLIST FOR NEW POLICIES
