Prison Dharma

People in prison and volunteers who work in prisons reflect on how to apply the Dharma in prison settings and beyond.

Prison Outreach Program

It all began with one man in prison writing a letter to Venerable Thubten Chodron. Today, Sravasti Abbey sends a quarterly newsletter, Dharma books, DVDs of teachings, and prayer beads to thousands of people in prison.

Here, you’ll find reflections by Venerable Thubten Chodron, other prison volunteers, and people in prison themselves on what it’s like to practice the Dharma in prison.

You can support our prison outreach program by making a donation to Sravasti Abbey here. Be sure to indicate “Prison Dharma Program” in the comments box. Your contribution helps to produce Dharma materials and supports the postage to send them.

For a listing of films related to Buddhism in correctional facilities see Vipassana Meditation for Correctional Facilities.

Subcategories

A small bird emerges from a hole in a bird house.

By Incarcerated People

Reflections, essays, and poems by people in prison about their Dharma practice.

VIEW CATEGORY
A black and white butterfly rests on the edge of a doorframe.

By Prison Volunteers

Volunteers reflect on what they have learned from sharing the Dharma with people in prison.

VIEW CATEGORY

Related Books

All Posts in Prison Dharma

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…

View Post
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.

View Post
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.

View Post
Silhouette of Gyatso in front of an icy fence in winter.
By Prison Volunteers

My time in prison

A Sravasti Abbey volunteer confronts his preconceptions on what prison life is like.

View Post
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…

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

The power of precepts

An incarcerated person considers the value of taking precepts.

View Post
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.

View Post
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.

View Post
By Incarcerated People

Reentry

A newly free person continues the Dharma practice that he began while incarcerated.

View Post
By Incarcerated People

Time, inspiration, and gratitude

Calvin is free after 27 years of incarceration. He reflects on how he met Buddhism…

View Post
Barbed wire in a garden.
By Incarcerated People

Prison labor

Today's prisons provide few chances for rehabilitation, instead using incarcerated people for cheap labor. One…

View Post