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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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Man sitting on floor, meditating.
On Attachment

Strong attachment to desire

The feelings of a formerly incarcerated person and his gratitude to the Dharma.

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Shot glass with vodka in it
On Addiction

Without a vodka bottle in my hand

Addiction and the wasted opportunities of life.

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On Love, Compassion, and Bodhicitta

“Impact of Crime on Victims” class

A person in prison keeps a journal of a program in which incarcerated people and…

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A below view of shopping cart and the front wheels.
On Cultivating Wisdom

Offering service

Changing our mind to treat our daily activities as offering service and creating positive causes.

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Closeup of a mule's face.
Prison Poetry

The mule

How to open up one's heart and guide oneself on the path.

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Shadow of a hand trying to catch a shadow of a man running away.
On Overcoming Anger

Fear and hate

An incarcerated person relates how he gradually overcame his fear while in prison.

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Black and white image of a Buddha statue.
On Cultivating Wisdom

Inspiring story

Importance of understanding karma, taking personal responsibility and transforming oneself based on practice.

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Words written on paper with colored pencil.
Prison Poetry

Poem to Mom and Dad

A touching poem from a formerly incarcerated person to his parents.

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A hand holding a cup of water, pouring it onto seeds.
On Cultivating Wisdom

Watering seeds

We have a choice as to the kinds of seeds we plant in our mindstream.…

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Two woodpeckers in a tree
On Mindfulness

A bird

An incarcerated person contemplates the natural world outside.

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A person sitting on top of a moutain, meditating.
On Meditation

Changing

Accepting one's feelings of anger and pride leads to a greater understanding of oneself, and…

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On Love, Compassion, and Bodhicitta

Transforming grief into gratitude and love

A letter from an incarcerated person on coping with the death of his best friend…

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