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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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Long line of cars in a traffic jam on the highway.
By Prison Volunteers

Prisons of the mind

A person in prison relates how he feels more free than those outside who are…

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Close up of Kwan Yin's face
On Love, Compassion, and Bodhicitta

Kwan Yin

A person in prison reflects on the many forms of the bodhisattva Kwan Yin.

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On Overcoming Anger

Reflections on anger

Stories from incarcerated people about their struggles with anger and other afflictions.

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Silhouette of a sailboat in front of a sunset.
Prison Poetry

Truth

Finding the way out of samsara and ignorance.

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Prison cell with the words 'Prison poetry III" superimposed over it.
Prison Poetry

Prison poetry III

Poems written by people associated with the prison Dharma outreach program.

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A big bubble wrapping a woman who is meditating.
On Mindfulness

Celebration of Buddha’s enlightenment

An incarcerated person's gratitude to his sangha, discussing his history of violence, his discovery of…

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On Mindfulness

Mindfulness, contentment, and ABBA

Happiness is an inside job. One can cultivate happiness no matter the circumstances of our…

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A man with head bowed in prayer.
On Love, Compassion, and Bodhicitta

Prison and prayer

How practice sustained an incarcerated person during several weeks in solitary confinement.

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A man with both hands reaching to the sky.
On Love, Compassion, and Bodhicitta

Why not me?

An incarcerated person reflects on self-centered thought and its antidote, cultivating compassion for all sentient…

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Prison cell with the words 'Prison poetry II" superimposed over it.
Prison Poetry

Prison poetry II

Poems written by people associated with the prison Dharma outreach program.

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Prison worker standing on a staircase.
By Prison Volunteers

Working in a jail

A jail employee writes about how he works with incarcerated people and families with an…

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Plastic pink flamingos by a house.
On Love, Compassion, and Bodhicitta

Pink flamingos

When we reflect on family life with our parents, we need to see with eyes…

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