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:
Finding your Bodhicitta
The first time I encountered IBS Program was at a dinner Fund raiser that I was invited to. When I first met Venerable Xianzhong he was very friendly and easy to talk to, there was an immediate connection because of his kindness. After hearing more about the program during the fundraiser it was inspiring for me and knew that I could see myself doing more things with the program and the people involved in it. Since then I have been to a Dharma Function led by Venerable Xianzhong and there were lots of people and food to eat for everyone. It felt more like a family rather than friends. I was also very fortunate to attend another Dharma Function and Dharma talk that was led by Venerable Hueiguang. I was very inspired by what I heard and how easy it was to talk with Venerable Hueiguang which I only knew for two days but felt like I could ask him anything without shyness. I learned a lot in such a little amount of time from both Venerables and even inspired me to take refuge under their lineage, having the Dharma name Guan Jing. My next encounter with IBS was attending their homeless program where we go out on the streets and offer lots of hot pizza, water and recently also giving them clothes, shoes, blankets, gloves, beanies, jackets, and more. During this experience, it not only made me realize how lucky I was to have what I have in life but it also gave me a chance to put a smile on someone’s face because they just wanted to have a full stomach. It gave me a chance to actually see what they are going through and see the real conditions of what they are living with. It gave me the chance to do something very meaningful in life and just help another human being. This experience brought me back to the first time I went to the dinner fundraiser when I was greeted with warm hearts and kindness from everyone, I was now getting to show others that there are people that do care and kindness does exist. This whole experience has deepened my Bodhicitta.
A phrase that I have now used many times that has stuck in my head that I got from IBS is “NO ONE CAN HELP EVERYONE BUT EVEYONE CAN HELP SOMEONE” May all beings suffer less, May all beings be happy!
Namo Amituofo _/l\_
Guan Jing
Connection with Prison Sangha
Time flies and I have been here as an online volunteer for about 2+ years now. Well, well what have I been doing during these 2+ years? Come what may and with good intention, I shall be able to accomplish whatever it is happily. I am grateful to Xian Zhong Shifu for giving me some extra work which helps me in my daily learning. I have to search/ google/ to understand and along the way realise “原来如此”.
Initially, I was just helping Shifu to type letters for the brothers and have done so, for more than 100 letters from the brothers. I am always humbled and touched by their messages that are filled with gratefulness and so “real”.
Then Shifu widened my scope and suggested me to collect Dharma books and I thought it was going to be tough as to where to get them. The first person that came to my mind was Ms Lim Lay Hoon of Sasanarakkha (SBS) and my message reached Bhante Kumara who was quick to suggest helping me post my request elsewhere. I was grateful and motivated when Maha Vihara, Brickfields; Bandar Utama Buddhist Society & Persatuan Suttarama Kuala Terengganu upon receiving the request from Bhante messaged to inform that they are sending Dharma books direct to IBS, USA. … Rejoice!
Some of us also collect books from Temples/ Monasteries whenever we see free publications and where need be, we will put in our request for books eg to Dharma Realm Guan Yin Sagely Monastery (thanks to Ven Heng Tai) for 10 complete sets of Shurangama Sutra (80 books); 100 books of Khenchen Tsultrim Lodro Rinpoche & 15 books of Khenchen Tsewang Gyatso Rincpoche (thanks to Ms Susan Sim); some Tibetan books from friends and consolidated the stocks before sending over to Shifu….. it is indeed a great pleasure to have a chance to serve.
Another milestone that I just feel blessed and heart-warming is the practice of dana by all the wonderful & generous souls who have responded from the very beginning, believe and supported in this program, you know who you are and thank you very much! I always stressed, while big donations are important, no amount is too small and it will definitely make a difference as long as you don’t consider not giving. Anything from the heart will go a long way. Appended below, is the donations received so far and hope to do better with the continued support from all:-
2013/2014 – USD5,318-00
2014/2015 – USD7,011-00 (there is still some balance (approx. USD1,200+) to be
transferred by end of Dec 2015)
I may not know about the prison world but IBS Prison Program deserves my praise. IBS Prison Program is doing a great job, bringing the Buddha’s Dharma/ teaching & meditation into a dark world to transform the inmates’ way of thinking, their behaviour and who knows this place could turn into the best place for their cultivation for some inmates are serving a very long sentence which is like eternity.
At the moment, IBS has already set up 82 Buddhist libraries in 22 institutions and I always have respect for this beneficial program to help free beings from suffering. I am happy and honoured to be part of this team and let us join our hands together to support in any way we can give.
Amituofo!
Py Cheong