MindLAB Forum

MindLAB Forum Terms of Service

Last Updated: 08th November 2024

Purpose of the Forum


MindLAB Forum is a space created by members of the community to discuss Buddhist philosophy and  its practical application in daily life, and practice of the path to liberation, guided by the teachings of Jethavanarama Buddhist Monastery and the wisdom of its teachers.

All resources shared in this forum—including audio, video, documents, and other files  should be from Jethavanarama Buddhist Monastery or it’s resource channels such as https://www.youtube.com/c/jethavanaramabuddhistmonastery,  https://youtube.com/@enlight_u?si=mrKB43Lz-CDHFhtf . Members are encouraged to share their insights and experiences in accordance with the teachings.

Community Guidelines

MindLAB Forum seeks to create a supportive, compassionate environment for learning and practice. By participating in this forum, you agree to adhere to the following guidelines, which are designed to ensure respectful, mindful, and fruitful engagement.

1. Respectful and Compassionate Engagement

  • Respect for All Members: Approach all interactions with kindness, respect, and compassion. Treat each participant with dignity, regardless of their background, level of practice, or understanding of Buddhism.
  • Right Speech: Practice Right Speech by using words that promote harmony, truth, and understanding. Avoid harsh, abusive, or inflammatory language, and engage in discussions in a manner that fosters mutual respect and learning.

2. Prohibited Content

Content posted in the forum must not include the following:

  • Abusive or offensive language directed at individuals, organizations or groups.
  • Defamation or slander of any person, group, or organization.
  • Hate speech or incitement to violence based on attributes such as gender, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, etc.
  • Inappropriate content of any kind, including offensive language, images, audio, or videos.
  • Defamation of any religion, other Buddhist traditions or organizations.
  • Advertising for personal or commercial gain, including soliciting money, services, or other benefits.
  • AI-generated content or posts made by automated systems rather than genuine, thoughtful human contributions.
  • Personal information of individuals (such as names, contact information, or other identifiers) shared without prior consent.

3. Intellectual Property and Security

  • No Infringement of Rights: Ensure that all content you share does not infringe on the intellectual property rights (copyrights, trademarks, etc.) of third parties.
  • No Harmful Content: Do not post content that could install viruses, malware, worms, Trojan horses, or any other harmful software. Ensure that the materials you share are safe and secure for all members.

4. Content Editing and Deletion

  • Edit Time Frame: Users can edit or delete their posts within one hour of posting. After this period, content will remain permanently in the forum and cannot be modified.
  • Post-Edit Monitoring: Posts that are edited within the allowed time frame are still subject to moderation and review by the forum’s moderation team.

5. Focused Discussion

  • No Comparative Debates: MindLAB Forum is dedicated to discussions centered on teachings of Jethavanarama Buddhist Monastery and comparative debates between different Buddhist traditions, religions, or individual teachers are not welcomed.
  • Respect for All Traditions: While MindLAB Forum focuses on the teachings of Jethavanarama Buddhist Monastery, discussions should be rooted in respect for all Buddhist paths and their unique contributions to the Dhamma.

6. Professional Advice Disclaimer

  • No Medical or Psychological Advice: The MindLAB Forum is not a platform for medical, psychological, or professional crisis intervention. If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, please seek assistance from qualified professionals or emergency services.

Moderation and Reporting Procedures

Moderation Team

MindLAB Forum is moderated by a team of Administrators/Moderators. The moderators’ role is to ensure that discussions align with the Terms of Service and foster a safe, respectful, and focused environment for all members.

  • Guided by the Dhamma: Moderators will guide the forum in accordance with the teachings of the Buddha and the values of compassion, wisdom, and right understanding. The moderation team is here to ensure that discussions remain on-topic, constructive, and respectful.

Reporting Violations

  • Reporting Procedure: If you encounter content or behavior that violates the forum rules, please report it to the Administrators/Moderators via Contact Form. Reports will be handled confidentially, and appropriate action will be taken based on the severity of the violation.
  • Consequences for Violations: Repeated or serious violations of the Terms of Service may result in temporary or permanent suspension from the forum, depending on the nature of the misconduct.

Changes to MindLAB Forum Terms of Service

We may update the Terms of Service from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, legal requirements, or the services we provide. When we make updates, we will post the revised terms on this page and update the “Last Updated” date at the top. Please visit this page periodically to stay informed about how we are protecting your information.

By participating in MindLAB Forum, you agree to uphold the principles of right speech, respect, and mindfulness in all your interactions. Our goal is to create a space where members can explore the teachings of the Lord Buddha, apply them in daily life, and support each other on the path to liberation.

We appreciate your cooperation and look forward to your meaningful contributions. May all beings be happy, peaceful, and free from suffering.

Privacy and Data Collection Policy

At MindLAB Dhamma Forum, we are committed to protecting and respecting your privacy. This Privacy and Data Collection Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your personal information when you access and interact with our online Buddhist Dhamma forum. Please read this policy carefully to understand our views and practices regarding your personal data and how we treat it.

1. Introduction

We believe in transparency and mindfulness in all our actions. This Privacy and Data Collection Policy outlines how we collect, use, store, and protect your personal information when you visit our forum or participate in our online community. Our goal is to provide a safe, respectful, and ethical space for discussion of the Dhamma while respecting your privacy.

By using this website, you agree to the practices described in this policy. If you do not agree with this policy, please refrain from using our forum.

2. Information We Collect

To offer a seamless and secure experience on our forum, we collect different types of information:

Personal Information

When you register an account, subscribe to our newsletter, or participate in our forum, we may collect the following personal information:

  • Name
  • Phone Number
  • Age
  • Email address
  • Username
  • Profile picture (if provided)
  • Any other information you choose to share in your profile or forum posts

User-Generated Content

We collect and store any content you contribute to the forum, including:

  • Posts
  • Comments
  • Messages
  • Threads
  • Other interactions within the community

Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We may use cookies and similar tracking technologies (e.g., web beacons, pixels) to enhance your experience, analyze usage trends, and improve our services. Cookies are small files placed on your device to collect information about your interactions with our website.

Log Data

We automatically collect certain information when you access our forum, such as:

  • IP address
  • Browser type
  • Device type
  • Operating system
  • Referring/exit pages
  • Date/time stamps
  • Pages viewed

This data helps us monitor and analyze traffic, ensure website security, and improve user experience.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect in the following ways:

  • To Provide and Improve Our Services: Your personal information and user-generated content help us provide personalized services, respond to your queries, and improve the functionality of our forum.
  • To Enhance User Experience: We may use your data to personalize the forum experience, such as recommending posts or topics of interest.
  • To Communicate with You: We may send you notifications about updates, new features, or important changes related to the forum, provided you have opted in to receive them.
  • To Ensure Forum Security: We use your data to detect and prevent any misuse of the forum, ensure compliance with community guidelines, and protect your account from unauthorized access.
  • To Comply with Legal Obligations: We may use your data to comply with legal obligations, enforce our terms of service, or protect our rights.

4. Data Sharing and Disclosure

We value your privacy and do not share your personal information with third parties except in the following circumstances:

  • With Your Consent: If you provide explicit consent (e.g., when you choose to share personal information publicly on the forum or in discussions).
  • With Service Providers: We may share your data with third-party vendors, such as website hosting providers, email service providers, or analytics platforms, who assist us in operating the forum and delivering services. These service providers are required to keep your information confidential.
  • For Legal Purposes: We may disclose your information if required by law or in response to valid legal requests (e.g., subpoenas, court orders) or to protect the rights, property, and safety of MindLAB Dhamma Forum, its users, or others.
  • Business Transfers: In the event that our forum undergoes a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your personal data may be transferred to the new owner as part of the transaction.

5. Data Security

We take reasonable measures to protect your personal data from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. These measures include encryption, firewalls, and secure servers. However, no method of online transmission or electronic storage is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee the absolute security of your data.

We encourage you to use a strong password to protect your account and be cautious about sharing personal information online.

6. User Rights

You have certain rights regarding your personal data:

  • Access and Correction: You can access and update your personal information through your account settings. If you believe any information we hold about you is inaccurate, you may request corrections.
  • Deletion: You may request the deletion of your account and personal information at any time by contacting us. Please note that we may need to retain certain information to comply with legal obligations or resolve disputes.
  • Withdrawal of Consent: If you have previously consented to receive emails or notifications from us, you can withdraw your consent at any time by following the unsubscribe instructions in those emails or adjusting your account preferences.
  • Data Portability: In some cases, you have the right to request a copy of your personal data in a commonly used, machine-readable format.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us via the contact form

7. Third-Party Links

Our forum may contain links to external websites or third-party services that are not operated by us. Please be aware that we are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of these third-party sites. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party websites you visit through links on our forum.

8. Children’s Privacy

Our forum is not intended for children under the age of 16, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 16. If you believe we have inadvertently collected data from a child under 16, please contact us immediately, and we will take steps to delete such data.

9. Data Retention

We retain your personal data for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy and Data Collection Policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law. If you choose to delete your account, we will retain some information to comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce our agreements.

10. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy and Data Collection Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, legal requirements, or the services we provide. When we make updates, we will post the revised policy on this page and update the “Last Updated” date at the top. Please review this policy periodically to stay informed about how we are protecting your information.

11. Contact Us

If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy and Data Collection Policy or how your personal information is handled, please contact us at:

  • Email: [Insert email address]
  • Contact Form: [Link to contact page]

Thank you for being a part of MindLAB Dhamma Forum and for helping to create a mindful, respectful, and compassionate online community.