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:
The Joy of Volunteering
I started my bonding with IBS in 2011 when a friend living in Taichung brought me to IBS Temple. She said it’s a very special temple with an unordinary low-profile appearance which gave her comfort and peace when she was inside. I went and felt very comfortable and calm there. After that visit, I forgot about it until I found its FB page.
Early November 2013, I saw the online volunteers recruitment note via FB and was interested in making use of my spare time on something meaningful but at the same time giving me freedom. My strength is to do translation from English to Chinese as I was helping another NGO translate their website pages and articles from English to Chinese for years. After writing to Ven. Xianzhong, I soon got his feedback and was assigned to help design and modify IBS blog in Sinablog. As I have never been used Sinablog before, it was quite a big challenge for me. After several tries, I decided I had better focus on the translation as I proposed at the very beginning. I then first started with re-writing an article introducing IBS prison visits and its prison library program.
During the process, I learned more about IBS and its prison library program. With our FB volunteer group established, we volunteers are able to get frequent updates from Ven. Xianzhong regarding IBS’ online volunteer recruitment, Buddhist books donations, prisons visits, etc. That is a great platform for all of us to share thoughts and updates. I knew I am not used to have interactions with others no matter in person or online. Maybe I need to make a wish and be more active in the group from the year of Horse!
Happy Chinese New Year!
With Metta
Caroline Leung
REFLECTION
Being a young adult, my future may seem to fill with excitements, free wills, and opportunities to experience life. The invincible pride confines me to view the world and people from a very subjective angle. Not to mention about putting myself in the shoes of a group of forgotten ones, the inmates.
I came across IBS’ posting seeking for online volunteers and decided to try the translation work. My impression about prison life was drawn from the show “Prison Break”. But after reading letter by letter, I was struck and amazed by brothers’ enthusiasm, gratitude, firmness, and persistence towards the practice of Dharma. Some brothers are very well-versed and express insightful thinking in their letters. Reading from a letter, an inmate brother was incarcerated in his twenties, just about my age. I couldn’t help but imagine what if I was the one thrown behind bars? When the negative karma caught up to someone, any ill-intention can arise and lead to the most destructive result.
Through this time, the Ven. XianZhong Shi had taught me about the prison and Dharma. My teacher, Ming-Ling would also stimulate discussions on many mindful and self-monitoring topics that are contemplative. Buddha’s teaching is so profound with Dharma being the remedy for all suffering minds. The introduction of Buddhism is like the refreshing rain in desert for the brothers when they’re incarcerated and being at the lowest point in life. It is no doubt that many of them have benefited from Dharma practice brought by the Sanghas and volunteers from IBS. Positive and joyful spiritual cultivation has impacted many of them, and further, their bliss radiates to influence other brothers, their families, and prison staff.
IBS’ works and commitment are extremely admirable, so are the Dharma practice experiences described by the brothers. Although not significant, but bits of my pride did shatter as I learn more about the program mission, brothers, and the IBS devotees.
My sincere appreciation to the existence of the prison program and everyone participated in it. May all Dharma activities prosper and more beings can benefit and free from sufferings!
Amituofo_/\_
噶瑪妙力