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.

View Posts

A small flame.
On Overcoming Anger

Not feeding the fire

Within a small space, in a tense situation, a person in prison shares his struggle…

View Post
The words 'Help others' written on a concrete sidewalk.
On Cultivating Wisdom

Karma and change

The teachings on karma and how they help us to understand selflessness.

View Post
A man's face and the word 'EGO' spray painted on a wall.
Prison Poetry

Ignorance of the ego

A person in prison reflects on the effects of understanding the Buddha's teachings.

View Post
Prison cell with the words 'Prison poetry I" superimposed over it.
Prison Poetry

Prison poetry I

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

View Post
A painted enso symbol.
On Cultivating Wisdom

Being emptiness

A meditation on the "Heart Sutra" and the concepts of emptiness and selflessness.

View Post
Grafitti of the word 'Haiku' on a wall.
Prison Poetry

Haiku

Haiku written by two incarcerated people associated with the prison Dharma outreach program.

View Post
Decorative carving of the Buddha teaching at Deer Park.
Prison Poetry

What the Buddha taught

A person in prison reflects on the meaning of refuge and the joyfulness of awakening.

View Post
On Addiction

Intoxicants

The tragedies that resulted from choices an incarcerated person made as a young man.

View Post
Venerable Chodron at San Quentin prision in California.
By Incarcerated People

The most stable people in prison

Why those in prison for murder tend to be easier to get along with and…

View Post
A spade and some potatoes being digged out of the soil.
By Incarcerated People

Humor

Difficulties can be overcome with fortitude and a little creativity. And laughter.

View Post
Brother and sister walking together down country road.
On Love, Compassion, and Bodhicitta

Joshua

An incarcerated person describes her relationship with her brother and the love they share.

View Post
Someone wrote the words Nothing is permanent on the sand.
On Attachment

Prison, life, impermanence

A person in prison describes the experience of solitary confinement and how by taking refuge…

View Post