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By Incarcerated People

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

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Solitary cloud in the a blue sky
On Attachment

Loneliness

A person in prison investigates the root cause of his loneliness.

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Highway sign that says "Forgive".
On Overcoming Anger

Forgiving and apologizing

What it means to look within oneself sincerely in order to forgive and apologize others…

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Prison Poetry

Just breathe

Reflections on practice in a difficult environment. Managing how the anger of others affects us.

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Closeup of the eye of a Buddha statue.
On Overcoming Anger

Getting along with others

How to remove oneself from difficult, even dangerous, situations by maintaining integrity, consistency, and ethical…

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A young boy showing his angry face.
On Overcoming Anger

A simple act of kindness

A person in prison discusses how his practice has eased his experiences of unfair treatment.

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A man taking a coffee cup.
On Cultivating Wisdom

Qualifications

A person in prison describes his experience with the Dharma. Attachment and desire can lead…

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A monk standing on a walkway, looking at the full moon.
On Overcoming Anger

Wayward

An incarcerated person tells the story of searching for himself and realizing that he could…

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Aerial view of Stateville Correctional Center.
On Love, Compassion, and Bodhicitta

Stateville

Reflections on the prison in which an incarcerated person took his bodhisattva vows.

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Woman sitting looking out he window at water
On Love, Compassion, and Bodhicitta

Explore and be brave

A moving account of one man's spiritual quest while in prison.

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Stick man being crushed by rocks
On Overcoming Anger

Handling fear and potential violence

A person in prison discusses strategies he has used to defuse potentially violent situations. Earning…

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Young man looking threatening.
On Love, Compassion, and Bodhicitta

Changing our mind

A person in prison learns about placing others above self and describes the choice we…

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Buddha statue in silhouette against sunset.
On Love, Compassion, and Bodhicitta

Cultivating altruistic intention

A person in prison describes what is most important for dharma practice.

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