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

By Incarcerated People
Reflections, essays, and poems by people in prison about their Dharma practice.
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By Prison Volunteers
Volunteers reflect on what they have learned from sharing the Dharma with people in prison.
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All Posts in Prison Dharma

Time, inspiration, and gratitude
Calvin is free after 27 years of incarceration. He reflects on how he met Buddhism…
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Prison labor
Today's prisons provide few chances for rehabilitation, instead using incarcerated people for cheap labor. One…
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Transforming adversity into bodhicitta
The difficulties of the pandemic are a special challenge for those who are incarcerated.
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Developing bodhicitta
A man serving a life sentence transforms feelings of dread into compassion for all beings.
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The peace and beauty of the night’s darkness
A prison volunteer finds respite from the daily struggle.
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A fight on the yard
An incarcerated person describes the disruption caused by a fight in the prison yard.
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Selflessness keeps you out of SHU
From a teaching by Venerable Chodron, an incarcerated person learns to train consistently to deal…
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