THE HSWAGATA BUDDHA TOOTH RELIC PRESERVATION MUSEUM
FOR INTERNAL USE ONLY
Template No.: T116
Template Title: DOCTRINAL DISAGREEMENT / CLARIFICATION RECORD
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 INFORMATION
1.1 Title of Doctrinal Issue
(Short, clear title, e.g. “Use of relics in processions”, “Wording on main panel”.)
1.2 Type of Question / Disagreement
[ ] Interpretation of Sutta
[ ] Interpretation of Vinaya rule
[ ] Use of Abhidhamma teaching
[ ] Relic practice / ritual
[ ] Museum text / explanation to visitors
[ ] Policy or rule for staff / custodians
[ ] Other: _________________________________________________
1.3 Area Affected
[ ] Relic care and rituals
[ ] Museum displays / labels / tours
[ ] Internal policy or SOP
[ ] Community / donor communication
[ ] Science and testing
[ ] Conflict / peace issues
[ ] Other: _________________________________________________
SECTION 2 – DESCRIPTION OF THE ISSUE
2.1 Short Description (What is the problem or question?)
(Use simple, neutral language. No blaming or strong words.)
2.2 Background
(How did this issue appear? Meeting, email, visitor question, etc.)
2.3 Date(s) When Issue Was Discussed
____ / ____ / ______ ____ / ____ / ______ (if more than one)
SECTION 3 – VIEWS EXPRESSED
Write the main views clearly and fairly. Do not use this form to attack people.
3.1 Person / Group A – View
Name or group (e.g. “Guide team”, “Monastic advisor A”):
Summary of View A (what they believe is correct):
Reasoning / main arguments:
3.2 Person / Group B – View
Name or group: _____________________________________________
Summary of View B:
Reasoning / main arguments:
3.3 Other Views (if any)
Name or group: _____________________________________________
Summary:
3.4 Tone of Discussion
[ ] Calm and respectful
[ ] Some tension but still respectful
[ ] Strong tension, needed careful facilitation
Short note (optional):
SECTION 4 – TEXTS, SOURCES & EVIDENCE
4.1 Scriptural Sources Mentioned
Text 1: _________________________________________________
Type: [ ] Sutta [ ] Vinaya [ ] Abhidhamma [ ] Commentary
Short note (how it is used):
Text 2: _________________________________________________
Type: [ ] Sutta [ ] Vinaya [ ] Abhidhamma [ ] Commentary
Short note:
Text 3 (optional): _______________________________________
4.2 Other Sources
[ ] Local tradition or story
[ ] Previous practice at HSWAGATA
[ ] Advice from senior teacher / lineage
[ ] Academic or research work
[ ] Legal or policy document
Short note for these sources:
4.3 Points Where Sources Agree
(What all sides can agree on.)
4.4 Points Where Sources Seem to Differ
(Where it is not so clear or there are different readings.)
SECTION 5 – ANALYSIS & CLARIFICATION
5.1 Shared Values in This Case
(What values do all sides share? e.g. respect for relics, non-harm, peace.)
5.2 Key Doctrinal Questions
(List main questions that must be answered.)
5.3 Provisional Clarification (If Any)
(Is there a simple explanation that already helps reduce confusion, even if not final?)
SECTION 6 – AGREED NEXT STEPS
6.1 Short-Term Steps (within 3 months)
Step 1:
Responsible person / unit: _________________________________
Target date: ____ / ____ / ______
Step 2:
Responsible person / unit: _________________________________
Target date: ____ / ____ / ______
6.2 Longer-Term Steps (if needed)
[ ] Further study of texts
[ ] Consult senior monastic council
[ ] Consult external scholar
[ ] Prepare doctrinal note or guidance
[ ] Trial a practice and review later
[ ] Other: _________________________________________________
Short description of agreed longer-term plan:
6.3 Temporary Guidance Until Final Decision
(What should staff do now while the issue is still open?)
[ ] Keep current practice without change
[ ] Pause practice / text until clarification
[ ] Use safer neutral wording (write below)
[ ] Other: _________________________________________________
Explain clearly for staff:
SECTION 7 – MEETING / DISCUSSION SUMMARY
7.1 Date and Place of Main Discussion
Date: ____ / ____ / ______
Place / platform: __________________________________________
7.2 Main People Involved in Discussion
Name 1: ___________________________ Role: _________________
Name 2: ___________________________ Role: _________________
Name 3: ___________________________ Role: _________________
7.3 Was a Formal Doctrinal Advisory Committee Meeting Used?
[ ] Yes – see minutes (code: _____________________________)
[ ] No – informal / small group discussion only
SECTION 8 – DOCTRINAL REVIEW & SIGN-OFF
8.1 Doctrinal Reviewer / Chair
Name: _______________________________________________________
Role / Position: ___________________________________________
8.2 Reviewer’s Short Assessment
[ ] Disagreement is minor – can be handled internally
[ ] Disagreement is serious – needs higher-level review
[ ] Texts support one view more strongly
[ ] Texts allow more than one possible practice
Short summary (3–5 lines):
8.3 Temporary or Final Clarification (tick one)
[ ] Temporary clarification (to be reviewed later)
[ ] Final clarification (no more action expected)
Clarification text (clear, simple words for internal use):
Signature of doctrinal reviewer / chair: __________________
Date: ____ / ____ / ______
SECTION 9 – FOLLOW-UP & REVIEW DATE
9.1 Follow-Up Needed?
[ ] No – issue is closed
[ ] Yes – follow-up plan in Section 6
9.2 Agreed Review Date for This Issue
[ ] In 6 months
[ ] In 1 year
[ ] On this date: ____ / ____ / ______
Person responsible to call review: __________________________
SECTION 10 – ARCHIVE & LINKS
10.1 Archive Code / Digital Folder Path
10.2 Linked Documents (write code or title)
[ ] Meeting minutes: _______________________________________
[ ] Email / letter trail: __________________________________
[ ] Related policy or SOP: _________________________________
[ ] Text panels / scripts involved: ________________________
[ ] Research or doctrinal notes: ___________________________
[ ] Other: _________________________________________________
10.3 Note for Future Readers
(Why is this disagreement important for HSWAGATA to remember?)
END OF FORM – T116 DOCTRINAL DISAGREEMENT / CLARIFICATION RECORD
