“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.”
Traditional Buddhist Prayer
Photo: San Quentin Prison, California
What is Bodhicitta?
In Mahayana Buddhism, bodhicitta ("enlightenment-mind" or "the thought of awakening") is the mind (citta) that is aimed at awakening (bodhi), with wisdom and compassion for the benefit of all sentient beings.
- Maitreya’s Ornament of Clear Realization
From BPM’s Founder, Rev. Susan Shannon:
“One of the most powerful gifts that has come out of Buddhist Prison Ministry’s skyrocketing growth is the affirmation of the power of altruism.
BPM’s first workbook was envisioned by a group of “condemned” men on San Quentin’s Death Row, who wanted to pay forward the wealth of transformative dharma work we’d done together over many years.
That this very thought of altruism—coming from one of the darkest places on earth—has now spread into prisons in every state across the country—gives truth and credence to the power of Bodhicitta, the Awakened Heart.
As Khunu Rinpoche wrote in his beautiful book “The Jewel Lamp: A Praise of Bodhicitta”:
The thought desiring to dispel
Every mistake from every sentient being
And to bring every being to full knowledge is bodhicitta.
Of all wonderful things, this is the most wonderful.
what we offer:
Buddhist Prison Ministry freely offers transformative tools and wisdom from the Buddhist tradition. Our Courses and Workbooks are written specifically for the incarcerated population using accessible language and an interfaith lens.
Using tools, skills and insights from restorative justice and emotional literacy, our courses create greater connection—and ultimately interconnection—with all forms of life.
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Workbooks + Courses
Buddhist-based course work written specifically for the incarcerated using accessible language and an interfaith lens, free of charge.
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Certificate + Connection
Inmates who complete our soft-bound paper coursebooks receive a certificate of completion, and a personal, in-depth reply from a BPM volunteer--seasoned Buddhist practitioners from various traditions.
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Tablet learning
Using the Edovo Platform, BPM offers its Courses and Workbooks in a tablet format, as well as a wide range of carefully chosen resources representing a variety of schools/ traditions.
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Tara's Sisters
A unique inter-spiritual Sangha of Belonging for People who Identify as Female. Members show commitment, intentionality and discipline in one's path of transformation.
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Podcast
Discussions, interviews and so much more with Rev. Susan Shannon, BCC., Blaire Embrey and special guests.
An excerpt from an inmate’s homework response:
“This was my first experience with Buddhism and I absolutely love it and want to devote much time to the culture and lifestyle. I am currently incarcerated and through the power and methods you have taught me,
I can be free mentally and spiritually.…
Thank you for giving me this life-changing awakening — I hunger for more.”
Our Courses, Workbooks and Resources support participants in the cultivation of:
deeper self-awareness
Increased impulse control
tools of non-violence + connection
integration of one’s past~creating an authentic future life
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.
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1,500
Course books mailed free of charge to inmates, prison chaplains and volunteers since 2021.
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27,200
Courses completed by incarcerated men and women who have enrolled on the Edovo platform just since October, 2023.
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1,350
Personalized Homework Responses to inmates from BPM volunteers.
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25+
Volunteers and counting...
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.