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Prison Dharma

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

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A squirrel standing on a cement ledge.
By Prison Volunteers

A man and a squirrel

A man develops a special bond with a squirrel in prison.

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By Prison Volunteers

Just another day at work

A prison chaplain recounts how she was mistaken for a prison escapee while at work.

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Cover of Working with Anger.
Prison Dharma

A remarkable story

A mother's story of how her son was changed by reading a Dharma book and…

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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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Valentine candies in a box.
By Prison Volunteers

Valentine’s Day at Oregon State Prison

Accompanying Venerable Chodron and watching her talk to incarcerated people helps to see their qualities…

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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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Grafitti of the word 'Haiku' on a wall.
Prison Poetry

Haiku

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

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Decorative carving of the Buddha teaching at Deer Park.
Prison Poetry

What the Buddha taught

A person in prison reflects on the meaning of refuge and the joyfulness of awakening.

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