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By Incarcerated People

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

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A magic drop with a man in the middle of the sky stretching his hands out.
On Love, Compassion, and Bodhicitta

Sharing positive energy

An incarcerated person describes an example of returning kindness and compassion when confronted by hostility.

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Traffic light glowing red.
On Attachment

Musings at a red light

An incarcerated person's brief excursion outside the double fence of his prison brings up thoughts…

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Prison Poetry

Reflections on “At Hell’s Gate”

Healing happens when we stand firm in the face of truth.

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Silhouette of Muslim in prayer.
On Love, Compassion, and Bodhicitta

If here, why not out there?

Buddhism is one of many paths to liberation. Each culture has its spiritual philosophy that…

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Carl squatting on a pail, taking a measuring tape and smiling.
On Mindfulness

How spirituality changed my life

A formerly incarcerated person discusses his path to spirituality, before and after prison.

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A man holding a bowl of corn soup with a small piece of bread.
On Love, Compassion, and Bodhicitta

Sharing

A person in prison recounts his experience of practicing generosity while in isolation.

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The word 'HOPE' superimposed in front of a sunrise.
Prison Poetry

Power to hope, power to heal

An incarcerated person describes the beauty that results from compassionate actions.

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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…

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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.

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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.

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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.

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A painted enso symbol.
On Cultivating Wisdom

Being emptiness

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

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