[Engaged] Prison Books Project

[Kokuu]

Dear all

This is a charity that does not require your money but rather donations of previously loved and no longer needed dharma books. It is mostly for sangha members in northern America but not necessarily so. I am thinking of finding used copies of books on Amazon.com and sending them that way.

The Prison Mindfulness Institute receives donations of books and sends them out to Prisons around the USA. Particularly required are basic teachings on meditation practice and introductory dharma. They also run prison meditation programmes.

https://www.prisonmindfulness.org/donate-books/

There are many inmates who have turned to the dharma and meditation to help turn their life around and cope with the prison environment. It is good if we can help them both inside and when they come out again.

Byōkan reminded me to include the following from their website to read before you donate:

Book Donations:
Paperbacks only please! No magazines! No CDs! Prisons do not accept these items.

If you would like to send us books, please use this contact form to send us a message:

https://www.prisonmindfulness.org/contact-us/

Please let us know what type of books you have to offer and we will email you back with information on where to send them.

Books on beginning meditation or mindfulness practice (examples: Pema Chodron, Joseph Goldstein, Jack Kornfield, Sharon Salzberg, Cheri Huber, Jon-Kabat Zinn, etc) are needed most. We also have several requests for books on yoga (ones with drawn illustrations are best).
Thanks!

Gassho
Kokuu
-sattoday/lah-

[Byokan]

Thanks Kokuu,

this is one of my favorite charities too.

Gassho
Byōkan
sat + lah

[Jishin]

This sounds like a great idea. As a former prison psychiatrist I can say that any morsel of caring expressed in any fashion from a civilian is deeply appreciated by inmates.

Gasho, Jishin, _/st\_

[Khalil Bodhi]

Thank you for this Kokuu!

Metta and deep bows,

Mike
sat

[Seishin]

Kokuu

Thank you for this and the idea of using Amazon for those outside the States.

STMIZ

[Jakuden]

Deep bows, thank you Kokuu!

Gassho,
Jakuden
SatToday/LAH

[Chishou]

What about making zafus for them to use?

Deep bows,
Simon.


Ask not what the Sangha can do for you, but what you can do for the Sangha.

[Jundo]

What about making zafus for them to use?

Deep bows,
Simon.


Ask not what the Sangha can do for you, but what you can do for the Sangha.

Hi Simon,

It is a good thought, but it would have to be through an organization already working closely with a particular prison. There are restrictions on bringing in items. Prisons are worried about their use, and the storage of possible contraband inside.

Gassho, Jundo

SatTodayLAH

[Jishin]

Hi Simon,

I second what Jundo said above.

Gasho, Jishin, _/st\_

[Chishou]

Thank you both, that makes sense.

Deeps bows,
Simon.
Sat.


Ask not what the Sangha can do for you, but what you can do for the Sangha.

[Tai Shi]

I have an extra copy of The Mind of Clover, good place to start giving.
Gassho
sat/ lah
Tai Shi.


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[Mattg]

I'm sure I can contribute to this worthy cause, thank you for sharing.

Gassho

Matt
st

[Tai Shi]

There are pen pal organizations already in existence for inmates I myself write to two, and one already Student of Buddhism he followed Jack Kornfield who I already know. The other convinced he can make a difference with alternative energy when he leaves confinement. I find prisons horrible and inhuman punishment violating the US constitution.
Gassho
sat/ lah
Tai Shi


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