Dharma for Prisoners

Bringing Buddha's Teachings to Prisons

"I feel that in here [prison] the Dharma is very important.  The Dharma changes lives and that is something as you can tell we all need.  Speaking for myself, Buddhism has helped me with kicking a drug problem and has taught me how to first love and respect myself and because of that I love and respect others.  If I hadn't found the Dharma then I probably would have ended up dead." — a note from a prisoner to Ganden Center

Kadam Michelle Gauthier, previous Resident Teacher of Ganden Mahayana Buddhist Center (currently the Resident Teacher at Clear Light Center in Phoenix, AZ), was requested by a South Carolina state prison inmate to offer Dharma teachings at the prison.  She taught for about one year before becoming the Resident Teacher in Phoenix, even offering Refuge Vows to the students in the prison.

Now, our current Resident Teacher, Kelsang Nyema, is resuming the effort of bringing peace of mind to state prison inmates.

While the NKT-IKBU sponsors Dharma books for prisoners, Ganden Center pays the costs associated with sending Kelsang Nyema to and from the prison (which is about a two hour drive from the Center, twice per month).  Unlike traveling to our other branch classes, this "branch class" doesn't pay the associated costs via the generous donations of its students! 

Can you help sponsor Nyema's travel to and from this state prison?

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