Popular Books

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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A dragonfly resting on a straw of weed, glowing in the sun.
On Self-Worth

Kindness to myself

An incarcerated person reflects on the changes in his outlook since noticing the good he…

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Sneaker with the label 'Bat Shoes' on it.
On Love, Compassion, and Bodhicitta

The Ronco label maker

Seeing all sentient beings with equanimity and not judging others opens one's heart and mind…

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Invitation to a high school reunion.
On Love, Compassion, and Bodhicitta

Reunion

An incarcerated person begins to release his own worldly concerns of materialism, reputation, and praise.

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Sculpture of a knotted gun with the word Non-Violence engraged on stone.
On Overcoming Anger

The precept of nonviolence

A person in prison recounts an incident in which he chose to keep his vow…

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Big blue sky with fluffy clouds above the tree line
On Mindfulness

Vanquishing depression and anxiety

It is possible to free oneself from reacting negatively to life through meditation and practice.

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A page from a book about Zen.
On Love, Compassion, and Bodhicitta

Hermitage

The path to awakening can start anywhere, at any time.

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Close up of Kwan Yin's face
On Love, Compassion, and Bodhicitta

Kwan Yin

A person in prison reflects on the many forms of the bodhisattva Kwan Yin.

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On Overcoming Anger

Reflections on anger

Stories from incarcerated people about their struggles with anger and other afflictions.

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Silhouette of a sailboat in front of a sunset.
Prison Poetry

Truth

Finding the way out of samsara and ignorance.

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Prison cell with the words 'Prison poetry III" superimposed over it.
Prison Poetry

Prison poetry III

Poems written by people associated with the prison Dharma outreach program.

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A big bubble wrapping a woman who is meditating.
On Mindfulness

Celebration of Buddha’s enlightenment

An incarcerated person's gratitude to his sangha, discussing his history of violence, his discovery of…

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On Mindfulness

Mindfulness, contentment, and ABBA

Happiness is an inside job. One can cultivate happiness no matter the circumstances of our…

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