THE HSWAGATA BUDDHA TOOTH RELIC PRESERVATION MUSEUM
FOR INTERNAL USE ONLY
Template No.: T135
Template Title: Guardianship Ethics Pledge Form
Related Research Case IDs / Cluster: ___________________________
(e.g. Cluster B – Non-Human Guardians & Vocation, Cases 11–20)
Linked Templates / Policies: _________________________________
(e.g. HSWAGATA 15 Principles, Institutional Policies for Relic Stewardship, T126–T134)
Date of form: ____ / ____ / ______
Prepared by / Role: _______________________
Office / Unit: ____________________________
Country / Location: _______________________
Confidentiality Level:
Internal only [ ] Restricted [ ] Sacred-Restricted / Sensitive [ ]
Use of this form (tick):
New case / action [ ] Follow-up [ ] Annual review [ ] Archive only [ ]
SECTION 1 – PERSON MAKING THE PLEDGE
1.1 Basic details
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Full name: _________________________________________
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Dharma / monastic name (if any): ____________________
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Status (tick):
[ ] Bhikkhu / Monk [ ] Bhikkhunī / Nun
[ ] Novice [ ] Lay male
[ ] Lay female [ ] Other: __________________ -
Role in HSWAGATA (tick all that apply):
[ ] Core Relic Custodian
[ ] Assistant Custodian
[ ] Trainee Custodian
[ ] Security / guard
[ ] Guide / educator
[ ] Museum / admin staff
[ ] Volunteer
[ ] Other: ________________________________________ -
Main site / branch: _________________________________
SECTION 2 – PURPOSE OF THIS ETHICS PLEDGE
This pledge is for all staff and custodians who:
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Work near the Buddha’s tooth relics or other relics.
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Make decisions about relic safety, display, or teaching.
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Speak in public about relics, guardians, or miracles.
By signing, I agree to follow these ethics as part of my duty and in line with:
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The Buddha’s teaching of right view, right speech, and right action.
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The HSWAGATA 15 Principles and policies on relic stewardship.
SECTION 3 – CORE ETHICS PROMISES
Please read each line carefully. Tick each box if you agree.
3.1 Non-greed and non-corruption
I understand that relics are not for my personal gain.
[ ] 3.1.1 I will not use relics or my role to seek personal wealth, gifts, or secret benefits.
[ ] 3.1.2 I will follow all rules about donations, gifts, and money handling.
[ ] 3.1.3 I will not ask for special payment, “blessings fees”, or hidden charges connected to relics.
[ ] 3.1.4 If someone offers me a gift that may cause conflict of interest, I will report it and ask guidance.
[ ] 3.1.5 I will not use relics to gain power, titles, or social control over others.
3.2 Honesty, truthfulness, and clear speech
[ ] 3.2.1 I will speak truthfully about relic provenance, testing, and history, as far as I know.
[ ] 3.2.2 I will not make false or exaggerated claims about miracles, guardians, or my own spiritual level.
[ ] 3.2.3 If I share dreams or “signs”, I will do so humbly, with clear limits and when asked in the right way.
[ ] 3.2.4 I will not lie, hide information, or destroy records to protect myself or any group.
[ ] 3.2.5 If I make a mistake, I will try to correct it openly, and inform my senior or mentor.
3.3 Non-abuse of power, non-violence, and respect
[ ] 3.3.1 I will not use my role as guardian or staff to threaten, shame, or harm others.
[ ] 3.3.2 I will not use talk of devas, nāgas, spirits, or “guardian anger” to control or scare people.
[ ] 3.3.3 I will treat all visitors, staff, and custodians with basic respect, no matter their status, gender, or background.
[ ] 3.3.4 I will not abuse people physically, verbally, emotionally, sexually, or financially.
[ ] 3.3.5 I will support non-violent, peaceful responses in conflict and will report serious abuse if I see it.
3.4 Care for relics, spaces, and people
[ ] 3.4.1 I will not neglect relics or allow them to be kept in unsafe or dirty places.
[ ] 3.4.2 I will follow safety and security procedures (keys, alarms, movement logs, handling rules).
[ ] 3.4.3 I will help keep shrine spaces calm, clean, and welcoming.
[ ] 3.4.4 I will respect the body and mind of all custodians, including myself, and try to avoid burnout and harm.
[ ] 3.4.5 If I see a danger to relics or people (fire, theft risk, strong distress), I will act or call for help.
3.5 Humility about non-human guardians and visions
[ ] 3.5.1 I accept that dreams, visions, and “signs” are sensitive. I will handle them with care, not for fame.
[ ] 3.5.2 I will not claim that guardians give only me secret power or authority over others.
[ ] 3.5.3 If I have strong spiritual experiences, I will discuss them with a trusted teacher or mentor, and use forms like T128 when needed.
[ ] 3.5.4 I will not build new rules or pressure people based only on my own private experiences.
[ ] 3.5.5 I accept that the Board and policies are the main guides for relic decisions, not my private visions.
3.6 Obedience to law and HSWAGATA policies
[ ] 3.6.1 I will follow local law, especially about safety, child protection, and anti-corruption.
[ ] 3.6.2 I will follow HSWAGATA policies on relic lending, testing, movement, and display.
[ ] 3.6.3 If I disagree with a policy, I will raise the issue respectfully through proper channels, not by secret or harmful acts.
[ ] 3.6.4 I accept that serious ethics breaches can lead to review, discipline, or removal from relic duties.
SECTION 4 – OPTIONAL PERSONAL ADDITIONS
If you wish, write any personal ethics promise that supports your guardianship (for example: “I will speak more gently”, “I will not use my phone in the shrine except for duty”).
4.1 Personal ethics promise 1
4.2 Personal ethics promise 2 (optional)
SECTION 5 – ACKNOWLEDGEMENT & SIGNATURE
5.1 Understanding
By signing this form:
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I confirm that I have read and understood the promises above.
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I agree to keep these ethics to the best of my ability.
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I understand that if I break them in a serious way, my role may be reviewed.
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I know I can ask my mentor, teacher, or supervisor for help if I struggle with any point.
5.2 Signature of person making the pledge
Name (print): ________________________________________
Signature: ___________________________
Date: ____ / ____ / ______
SECTION 6 – WITNESS / SUPERVISOR (IF REQUIRED)
6.1 Witness / supervisor details
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Name: _____________________________________________
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Role (e.g. mentor, senior custodian, manager): _______
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Site / branch: _____________________________________
Short note (optional):
“I confirm that this ethics pledge was explained in simple words and signed freely.”
Signature: ___________________________
Date: ____ / ____ / ______
SECTION 7 – ARCHIVING & LINKS
7.1 File storage
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Physical file code / folder: _________________________
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Digital archive path / ID: __________________________
7.2 Linked records
[ ] T126 – Custodian Vocation Application & Interview
[ ] T127 – Spiritual Biography & Motivation Sheet
[ ] T129 – Guardianship Vow Ceremony Record
[ ] T133 – Mentor–Mentee Assignment Form
[ ] T134 – Individual Practice & Precepts Review Sheet
[ ] Duty of care / wellbeing plan (code: __________)
[ ] Other: ___________________________________________
