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By Incarcerated People

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

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A gold buddha statute on a river.
On Addiction

Practising and upholding the precepts

Seeking an end to the craving of addiction.

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By Incarcerated People

Adjusting to change

An incarcerated person discusses the difficulties he encounters when a change of routine disrupts his…

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Cute little rocks　ｗｉｔｈ　ｗｏｒｄｓ：　ｓｅｒｅｎｉｔｙ，　ｓｍｉｌｅ，　ｅｎｅｒｇｙ，　ｈａｒｍｏｎｉｅ，　ｇｅｎｅｒｏｓｉｔｙ，　ｈｕｍｏｕｒ．
On Love, Compassion, and Bodhicitta

Generosity: The first paramita

The importance of generosity and compassion to our spiritual growth.

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Sunlight streaming through the tress onto a snowy path in the woods
On Mindfulness

A chosen life

What if a person who looks different could impart life-changing wisdom. Open one's heart and…

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Times Square
On Attachment

Circus

The overwhelming effect of social media and technology, making one's daily life feel like a…

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Potato chips on a plate.
On Attachment

The jerk and the potato chips

Using one's meditation practice to become the observer of one's mind and to release the…

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

Prison poetry IV

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

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A dragonfly resting on a straw of weed, glowing in the sun.
On Self-Worth

Kindness to myself

An incarcerated person reflects on the changes in his outlook since noticing the good he…

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Sneaker with the label 'Bat Shoes' on it.
On Love, Compassion, and Bodhicitta

The Ronco label maker

Seeing all sentient beings with equanimity and not judging others opens one's heart and mind…

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Invitation to a high school reunion.
On Love, Compassion, and Bodhicitta

Reunion

An incarcerated person begins to release his own worldly concerns of materialism, reputation, and praise.

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Sculpture of a knotted gun with the word Non-Violence engraged on stone.
On Overcoming Anger

The precept of nonviolence

A person in prison recounts an incident in which he chose to keep his vow…

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Big blue sky with fluffy clouds above the tree line
On Mindfulness

Vanquishing depression and anxiety

It is possible to free oneself from reacting negatively to life through meditation and practice.

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