Incarcerated people

Many incarcerated people from all over the United States correspond with Venerable Thubten Chodron and monastics from Sravasti Abbey. They offer great insights into how they are applying the Dharma and striving to be of benefit to themselves and others in even the most difficult of situations.

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Yellow autumn leaf in a puddle of rain water
On Mindfulness

Reflections on my good fortune

That I have been able to communicate with you for this long is very special.…

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Close up on a bright yellow sunflower.
On Cultivating Wisdom

Thanks for the Dharma Dispatch

A letter of thanks for the latest edition of Dharma Dispatch, a newsletter the Abbey…

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Orange sunset reflected in rippling water.
On Cultivating Wisdom

Reflection on life

An incarcerated person reflects on the causes and conditions that have affected his life.

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Pink clouds against a blue sky.
On Self-Worth

Gratitude for the Dharma

A. L. reflects on how prison has afforded her time to reflect on her spiritual…

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Gold colored sunset behind silhouette of trees.
Prison Poetry

Gathas for daily life

An incarcerated person is inspired by the writing of Thich Nhat Hanh.

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Hazy mountains behind a line of trees.
On Cultivating Wisdom

Dealing with difficult changes

A woman in prison uses a mind training prompt to deal with a difficult situation.

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Sunset behind an open meadow.
On Self-Worth

I am a Buddhist

D. S. reflects on how his studies in Buddhism have influenced his life as an…

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Silhouette of a tree against a setting sun.
On Cultivating Wisdom

The power of precepts

An incarcerated person considers the value of taking precepts.

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Stained glass image of One thousand-armed Chenrezig.
On Love, Compassion, and Bodhicitta

Bringing Avalokiteshvara into the circle

An incarcerated person uses his Dharma practice to quietly support the victims of crimes.

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Sunrise behind mountain and clouds, with a silhouette of trees in the foreground.
On Self-Worth

Healing past relationships

An incarcerated person finds new ways to support his Dharma practice.

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