世界上沒有所謂的壞人，
但有一時的無明犯錯的人。
There are no any bad people in this world but there
are people who make mistake out of ignorance.
古語云: 人誰無過, 過而能改, 善莫大焉.
菩薩寺從1995年開始從事監獄佈教活動. 在2006年正式成立為州立政府核淮的非牟利慈善團體.宗旨是將佛陀珍貴的教法傳送到鐵圍內被人遺棄的法友們. 希望透過講授與聽聞佛法,讓他們能夠獲得身心的平靜與精神的安慰.
International Bodhisattva Sangha (IBS) started the Prison Program since 1995. IBS was formally established as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in November 2006. One of our main goals is to educate inmates in the state prisons about Buddhism, meditation, and the right way of life. Through Dharma education, many inmates found their inner peace and spiritual comfort.
截至2017年年中, 菩薩寺前往加州，俄勒岡，華盛頓和安大略省（加拿大多倫多）佈教的監獄共有33所. 巳經成立的監獄圖書館共有21所. 我們計劃在2017年的其餘時間再設置20多個佛教圖書館。展望將來在各方熱心人士護持下,能夠在加州36所監獄內均成立佛教圖書館. 讓受刑人士有机會學習佛法.
As of mid-2017, IBS has been visiting 33 state prisons California, Oregon, Washington, and Ontario (Toronto, Canada). We are planning to setup 20 more dharma libraries for the rest of 2017. With the help of passionate supporters, IBS is planning to set up libraries in all 36 state prisons in California in the future.
菩薩寺是一個小團體, 一切經費來源自各方善心人士捐贈. 由於你的慷慨解囊, 讓我們有更多机會去幫助受刑人士來改過自新. 使他們有勇氣再面對社會.做一個有貢獻者.
IBS is a small organization, and all the funding comes from generous donations from our supporters. With your generous gift, we will have more opportunity to reach more inmates with our prison program, giving them strength and courage on their path in becoming a contributor to the community when they are released.
為了能夠順利推行監獄佈教各項活動, 菩薩寺成立一個每月$10捐贈運動. 有意參與者, 請按這裡.
IBS introduced a $10 Monthly Donation Program for anyone who would like to support the activities included in the Prison Program. If you would like to make a donation, please press here.
連絡地址 / Contact Information:
International Bodhisattva Sangha (IBS)
9715 Carroll Centre Road Suite #105
San Diego, CA 92126, USA
Shirley Tam (Secretary)
Telephone: +1 619 450 3699
FAX: +1 858 484 1889
E-mail: [email protected]
Articles:
Buddhist Monk Visits Two Washington Prisons
September 21, 2016
By Darla DePew
Olympic Corrections Center
From left to right: Washington State Buddhist representative from Seattle Shirely Tam, Olympic Corrections Center Chaplain Jerome Bowers, Buddhist monk Tsering Motup, Prison Coordinator for Buddhists from California Chung Chun Chan. (Photo courtesy of Olympic Corrections Center)
FORKS – Buddhist Monk Tsering Motup recently visited two Washington Department of Corrections prisons. Motup traveled from International Bodhisattva Sangha in San Diego, California on Saturday, Aug. 6 to meet with incarcerated Buddhist followers at Olympic Corrections Center (OCC) in Forks and the Monroe Correctional Complex (MCC) in Monroe.
During his visit Motup met with inmates, prison staff, and visiting members of area Buddhist groups to talk about teachings of the Buddhist faith. His topics included the Five Precepts of Buddhism and the Noble Eightfold Path.
The Five Precepts are no killing, no stealing, no lying, no sexual misconduct, and no intoxicants. He talked about the Eightfold Path, considered to be one of the key teachings in Buddhism, according to the Secular Buddhist Association . Its concept encourages Buddhists to see life realistically without delusions, and focuses on self-restraint, discipline, and practicing mindfulness. Additionally, he answered inmate and visitor questions about the Buddhist faith.
“We were honored to be chosen as one of two institutions Tsering Motup and his team visited while in the State of Washington,” said Jerome Bowers, OCC chaplain. “They were warmly greeted and appreciated by our population.”
http://www.doc.wa.gov/news/2016/09212016.htm
Longest trip to Iron Temples.
About a month and half ago, the IBS team decided to have a long trip for the prison visitation program. We started this extensive journey on the 19th of July of this year in the Los Angeles County State Prison system. We have been visiting a different prison on every single day. The ones that we have visited so far include Kern Valley, Wasco, North Kern, and Avenal State Prison. Avenal State Prison is one of the largest prisons in the state of California, which used to house 8200 brothers and consists of 6 different yards. The IBS team spent two days covering all of the 5 yards where there were Buddhist practitioners. This time around, we had the rare opportunity to celebrate the completed course event at Avenal. It was our honor to have the warden, associate warden, and the community resource manager be present during this joyous event. It was quite evident how they appreciated IBS for providing mediation services at this institution. It is our organization’s pleasure to continue with our program for our dharma brothers who truly seek to continue with their diligent practice.
During this special event, IBS brought cheesecakes and sodas for all of the participants. The brothers were so happy to have this special treat. Some of them were saying that it was the very first time having cheesecake in over 30 years. Cheesecake is very common for those of us who live on the outside, but to them it is considered a very special treat. We were so happy to share cheesecake and soda with all our dharma brothers. We also presented certificates to all those who completed the course. They were so delighted to receive the course completion certificates. A special thanks go out to one of our dedicated volunteer, Andy Hamilton, for designing the certificate for us. We also presented the three refuges and five precepts card to over 60 brothers at 4 different Sanghas. They were so happy to receive them as well. Thank you also to our online volunteer, Nelly Soh, for working so hard on these certificates.
There are 21 prisons in all that are on our itinerary for this trip. We only visited 6 prisons so far, so there are 15 more remaining. I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the fact that this trip would not have been possible without all of the online volunteers’ and supporters’ hard work. Your contributions are a key to making this trip happen. The brothers have sent their loving kindness, appreciation, and compassion for all your support. We received lots of thank you letters from them, which will be posted shortly. May all beings be free from suffering and causes of suffering. Amituofo