Buddhist Prison Ministry's vision is firmly aligned with the Bodhicitta prayer
May bodhicitta, precious and sublime
Arise where it has not yet to be
and where it has already arisen, may it never falter
But grow and flourish, even more
Our Mission
Buddhist Prison Ministry provides the prison population with transformative tools and wisdom from the Buddhist tradition using accessible language and an interfaith lens, with the aim of fostering greater connection and ultimately interconnection with all forms of life. Our programs and courses help participants and the people they live with develop deeper awareness, insight, kindness, understanding, forgiveness, spaciousness, inner and outer serenity, and compassion. The inner and outer peace cultivated will aid in the reduction of recidivism, increase of pro-social activity, and lead to a balanced life both inside and outside the walls.
Bodhicitta Behind Bars;
an Introduction to Buddhism Coursebook
written specifically for the incarcerated population
This workbook “An Introduction to Buddhism” is the first in a series written specifically for the incarcerated population. It is a presentation of the core elements of non-sectarian (Ri’me) Buddhism, teachings common to all schools and sects of the Dharma. In just two years, it has helped spread the tools and teachings of dharma to hundreds of inmates across the United States. It is also available now on tablets.
For more info please contact us at buddhistprisonministry@gmail.com
Buddhist Prison Ministry offers this workbook free of charge to the incarcerated population, thanks to ongoing funding from the Khyentse Foundation, the Lenz Foundation, and generous donations from many individuals. This course emerged from the intention and generosity of the men in my Buddhist Sangha on San Quentin’s Death Row. They were so grateful for the nine years we’d been in Sangha together and had experienced so much benefit from their study and practice of the Buddha’s teachings. We envisioned a course that would be available to inmates on other Death Rows. Eight of the men agreed to advise my creation of the course. When Covid ravaged San Quentin State Prison in May of 2020, it became clear the scope of this project needed to expand, so Death Row Dharma became the Buddhist Prison Ministry, which in just 3 short years has spread to prisons in every state in the USA.
Coursebook Two: Prayers and Practices: Activating Buddhist Practice in your Daily Life
Buddhist Prison Ministry’s second workbook "Activating Buddhist Prayers and Practices in your Daily Life." is now available. This is a long-awaited sequel to our first workbook "An Introduction to Buddhism." This workbook offers prayers and practices from all Buddhist traditions, carefully chosen for the those behind bars. They provide unique transformation tools that will open the participants into a greater degree of insight, connection, inner and outer peace, and ease.
It was a great pleasure for me to read the Buddhist Prison Ministry's An Introduction to Buddhism and to know it is being shared with incarcerated people throughout the country. I'm impressed by the clarity and content of this excellent overview. And I am thankful to know that this high quality teaching is reaching my brothers and sisters on the inside.
- Joanna Macy
Quotes from Inmates about Workbook 1, An Introduction to Buddhism
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“This is the best and simplest study/instruction course yet provided. I learned a lot and it cleared up my own personal perceptions about Buddhism. I would recommend it to all. I wish to continue the study."
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“This course opened my mind up to a whole other way to think. Thanks so much for offering this course, and Bless all you Brothers and Sisters.”
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“The questions were thought provoking. I liked them even as they created a kind of stage fright.”
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“I found your course informative, cohesive, and laid out quite nice. Not using a lot of Sanskrit or Indian or any other language helped a lot also."
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“Your workbook is splendid. You must be commended for you all your efforts to enlighten others.”
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“These lessons are wonderful! Thank you so much for helping me start the journey. The short, to the point chapters are easy to understand and the questions at the end helped to conceptualize and reinforce the lessons."
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“I have completed this wonderful course and am now using it to lead our newly created sangha here in prison, all thanks to your kindness.”
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“Thank you so much for providing this course for inmates. I liked the form of it and how easy it was to understand. The information was presented in simple and useful ways and is all information I can apply to my current spiritual outlook. I look forward to studying your other materials.”
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“This intro course was excellent: topically on point, well-organized, with a logical flow, outstanding content, superb questions for contemplation.”
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“I found your course to be extremely informative and especially instructive, answering some of my outstanding questions, for example, the comparison chart is an excellent, concise resource-exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
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“Thank you for this wonderful gift! I can't think of any way it could possibly be better.“
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“Thank you for allowing me to participate in this study. I have shared some of the lessons and they were accepted well. I look forward to module Two.”
The workbook’s integrative homework questions are written specifically for the kinds of situations and stresses common to those doing time in prison.
The answers I receive back are deeply profound, honest, and sincere. They reflect back the unwavering power of the Buddha’s teachings to transform anyone who will integrate the teachings into their lives!
Every packet of homework received is responded to with a personal, in-depth reply from one of my twelve volunteers, all seasoned Buddhist practitioners from various traditions. Inmates who complete the course receive a certificate of completion, which they can include in their Parole Review packets.
Student Testimonial
“This is a great course because it speaks the truth in a clear and concise way. Studying this course was like being in the presence of the BuddhaDharma. I wish more people throughout the world will find this course. Especially kids in school around the world. If this course can be offered in the major crime cities of America, I know it will impact the kids and their community. The violence will end. If this course can be available for kids in the third world Buddhist countries, I know it will help rejuvenate Buddhism and bring light to these Buddhist regions. I feel the youth of the world will benefit from this course, please find a way to offer this course to the youth because I know it will impact them in a positive way. This course is a Dharma jewel!”
Featured Articles
Read more stories and resources for prison workers throughout this website.
