Prison Dharma

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

All Posts in Prison Dharma

On Overcoming Anger

Inspirations for overcoming anger

An incarcerated person shares his reflections on Working with Anger by Venerable Thubten Chodron.

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White wordings: Do something good every day, background in red color.
Prison Dharma

Making life meaningful in prison

Sravasti Abbey reaches those in prison by offering teachings on DVD to prison libraries.

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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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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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