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 man with head bowed in prayer.
On Love, Compassion, and Bodhicitta

Prison and prayer

How practice sustained an incarcerated person during several weeks in solitary confinement.

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A man with both hands reaching to the sky.
On Love, Compassion, and Bodhicitta

Why not me?

An incarcerated person reflects on self-centered thought and its antidote, cultivating compassion for all sentient…

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

Prison poetry II

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

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Plastic pink flamingos by a house.
On Love, Compassion, and Bodhicitta

Pink flamingos

When we reflect on family life with our parents, we need to see with eyes…

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Prison Poetry

A path of understanding

Reflections on the true nature of existence. All we are and all we have is…

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Sterling silver compassion acorn necklace.
On Love, Compassion, and Bodhicitta

The lone Buddhist

A person in prison describes an experience of compassion that he was able to invoke…

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A magic drop with a man in the middle of the sky stretching his hands out.
On Love, Compassion, and Bodhicitta

Sharing positive energy

An incarcerated person describes an example of returning kindness and compassion when confronted by hostility.

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Traffic light glowing red.
On Attachment

Musings at a red light

An incarcerated person's brief excursion outside the double fence of his prison brings up thoughts…

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Silhouette of Muslim in prayer.
On Love, Compassion, and Bodhicitta

If here, why not out there?

Buddhism is one of many paths to liberation. Each culture has its spiritual philosophy that…

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A man holding a bowl of corn soup with a small piece of bread.
On Love, Compassion, and Bodhicitta

Sharing

A person in prison recounts his experience of practicing generosity while in isolation.

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The word 'HOPE' superimposed in front of a sunrise.
Prison Poetry

Power to hope, power to heal

An incarcerated person describes the beauty that results from compassionate actions.

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