transformative tools &  wisdom

from the Buddhist tradition for people impacted by incarceration 

Interfaith Lens  •  Accessible Language  •  Restorative Justice  •  Emotional Literacy  •  Fostering Interconnection

event: A gathering of the light

An Online Tour of Buddhist Prison Ministry   

May 31, 2026  | 5:00pm to 6:00pm PST

ONLINE / ZOOM 

From a single spark of bodhicitta — the highest aspiration of love — an entire movement has emerged, cultivating a culture of awakening.

Since 2022, BPM has carried this seed of intention into the most oppressed, unseen places – with our content / materials now reaching over 65,000 incarcerated individuals.

Now, as we make steps toward an official nonprofit, we invite you to gather with us. To hear the stories. To meet the people. To witness what becomes possible when light of transformation is invited to shine freely.

You’ll hear from:

  • Founder & President, Susan Shannon

  • Board members sharing vision and mission

  • Content creators and collaborators and project overview 

  • Inspiring stories of real impact and exciting upcoming projects

We are excited to share this opportunity and invite you to learn about and help spread the word about BPM!

Registration Requested 

  • Icon of an open book representing reading or literature.

    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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  • Outline icon of an open envelope with a letter inside, featuring a seal and lines representing text.

    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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  • Black and white illustration of a man running, with a silhouette of a cityscape in the background.

    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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  • A symmetrical, intricate black pattern resembling a geometric snowflake or mandala against a black background.

    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.

    Read More

  • Podcast

    Discussions, interviews and so much more with Rev. Susan Shannon, BCC., Blaire Embrey and special guests.

    Listen Now
A mala, used for prayers and meditation. A string of wooden prayer beads with a yellow tassel on a white background.

The Aim of our Offerings:

  • Cultivation of Deeper Self-Awareness + Increased Impulse Control
  • Provide Tools of Non-Violence + Connection
  • Integration of One’s Past + Creating an Authentic Future Life
  • Reduction of Recidivism + Increase of Pro-social activity
  • Balancing Life both Inside and Outside the Walls

  • 4,800

    Since 2021: Course books mailed free of charge to the incarcerated, prison chaplains and volunteers.

    Coursebooks

  • 57,300

    Since Oct; 2023: Courses accessed by incarcerated men and women who have enrolled on the Edovo platform.

    Edovo Tablets

  • 1,750

    Since 2022: Personalized Homework Responses to inmates from BPM volunteers.

    learn more

  • 32+

    Volunteers and counting...

    More About BPM
Joanna Macy

“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. I am thankful to know that this high quality teaching is reaching my brothers and sisters on the inside.”

Joanna Macy

“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

Bodhicitta : the mind (citta) that is aimed at awakening (bodhi), for the benefit of all beings.