Dhamma Mitra

1. Introduction

Welcome to Dhamma Mitra ("we," "our," or "us"). We are a non-profit, community-driven platform dedicated to connecting Vipassana meditators (Old Students) worldwide to facilitate selfless service (Seva), trust, and friendship (Metta).

We value the trust you place in us. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your information when you use our website https://dhammamitra.org/. By using our platform, you agree to the terms outlined in this policy.

Important Note: Dhamma Mitra is an independent initiative by Old Students. We are not officially affiliated with the Vipassana Research Institute (VRI) or the Dhamma.org organization.

2. Information We Collect

To build a trusted community, we need to collect specific information. We categorize this data as follows:

A. Personal Information (For Account Creation)

Full Name
Mobile Number (Used for Login and Authentication)
Email Address (Optional, for notifications)
Current City and State (e.g., Durg, Chhattisgarh)

B. Verification Data (Strictly Private)

To verify that you are an "Old Student" (having completed at least one 10-day Vipassana course), we collect:

Name of the Center where you sat your last course.
Dates of the course.
Name of the Assistant Teacher (AT).
(In rare cases) Digital copy of course completion letter.

Note: This data is used solely for verification by our volunteer admins and is never displayed publicly.

C. Profile & Seva Information (Public/Semi-Public)

Profile Picture (Optional).
Bio / About Me.
Service Status (e.g., "Ready to Help" or "Seeking Help").
Seva Journal logs (Images or text describing help provided).

3. How We Use Your Information

We use your data exclusively for the following purposes:

Verification: To ensure that only genuine Vipassana meditators join the platform, maintaining the safety and sanctity of the community.
Connection: To help travelling sadhaks find local sadhaks for guidance, food, or accommodation.
Communication: To allow verified members to contact you for help via the platform.
Platform Safety: To detect and prevent spam, fraud, or misuse of the community.

4. Who Can See Your Data? (Visibility & Privacy)

We prioritize your privacy. Here is how your data is displayed:

Public Visitors (Guest Users): Can see your Name, City, and "Ready to Help" status. They cannot see your Mobile Number or Exact Address. Your contact details are blurred/hidden.
Verified Sadhaks (Logged In): Can see your Mobile Number to contact you for help. This ensures that only trusted community members can reach you.
Admins: Have access to verification details to approve or reject profiles.

5. Data Protection & Security

We implement industry-standard security measures (Encryption, Hashing) to protect your data.

Your password is never stored in plain text.
We do not sell, trade, or rent your personal identification information to any third party or marketing agency. This is a strictly non-commercial platform.

6. User Rights

As a member of the Sangha, you have the right to:

Edit: Update your profile, location, or seva status at any time via the Dashboard.
Delete: Request the permanent deletion of your account and all associated data.
Hide: Toggle your status to "Offline" if you do not wish to be contacted.

7. Cookies

We use minimal cookies solely for the purpose of managing your login session (Authentication). We do not use third-party tracking cookies for advertising purposes.

8. Third-Party Links

Our platform may contain links to external websites (e.g., Google Maps for location). We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these external sites.

9. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy to reflect changes in our platform. We will notify users of significant changes via the website or email.

10. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or how your data is handled, please contact us:

Email: help@dhammamitra.org

Address: Durg, Chhattisgarh, India.

PRIVACY POLICY