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

Closeup of hands of someone playing guitar.
By Prison Volunteers

The Dharma is flourishing

Incarcerated people share emotional stories of how the Dharma has brought them personal transformation.

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A signage with the name Choice.
On Mindfulness

The choices we make

Taking responsibility for and facing our past behaviors is the first step toward change.

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Sign that says path of life
On Mindfulness

Turning my life around

A person in prison shares his experience of living the five precepts.

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Grey shadows in an abstract pattern.
Prison Poetry

Whisper

Poem by a person in prison. Dark in tone, it touches on the inter-connectedness of…

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Cover of the book Managing Your Anger.
By Prison Volunteers

The amazing effects of compassion

Compassion is more powerful than anger when working for social justice.

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Young person behind a prison fence.
By Prison Volunteers

Jury duty

Going through the jury duty process with a Buddhist perspective.

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Big writing on a notebook page "what a second chance
Prison Dharma

A second chance for juvenile offenders

Rejoicing in the United States Supreme Court's decision to bar life-without-parole sentences for juvenile offenders.

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Statue of a buddha superimposed over prison bars.
By Prison Volunteers

Celebrating the Buddha in prison

Abbey residents attend the Buddhist group's event and interact with incarcerated people.

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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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Silhouette of a man meditating.
By Prison Volunteers

An afternoon in prison

Venerable Jigme rejoices the dharma practice by group of incarcerated people.

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