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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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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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Meditation hand of the Buddha
On Overcoming Anger

A close call

Dharma practice defuses a potentially deadly situation.

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Man crouched down, holding his head in his hands.
On Self-Worth

Depression and Buddha nature

A person in prison gives advice to a student with depression from his own personal…

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Face of a snarling tiger.
On Overcoming Anger

The internal tiger: anger and fear

Having struck out in anger many times, an incarcerated person shares responding to his fear…

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On Overcoming Anger

My tiger

Old tiger, new face. It is the mind, not the environment, that makes the difference.

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A small, puffy white cloud and moon in front of clear blue sky.
On Overcoming Anger

Noble silence

How the practice of Noble Silence helps to bring peace to our mind and be…

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A slice of chocolate cake on a plate.
On Attachment

Letting go of attachments

A chocolate cake, a chuck steak or the love of another person—can they make us…

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Statue of a bodhisattva.
On Overcoming Anger

A test of my bodhisattva vows

Keeping oneself free of violence by remembering the vows and showing compassion.

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The word 'forgiveness' written into red and orange tile.
On Self-Worth

The liberation of self-forgiveness

An incarcerated person shares his experience of transforming self-hatred to open up his heart for…

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The word 'love' stamped into metal.
On Love, Compassion, and Bodhicitta

Opening up to love

Being stuck in a selfish lifestyle centered on "me" keeps us from realizing the interdependence…

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Black and white image of a young man meditating.
By Incarcerated People

Inside-out practice

An incarcerated person narrates practicing inside the prison to practicing outside and compares that to…

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