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:
January 14, 2011
默默護持我們的發心菩薩，Mira Mesa Auto Techs 的老闆Alan Tran 菩薩
菩薩寺每次能夠順利外出監獄弘法，背後都有很多協助和因緣才能成就。
有個助緣幾乎是必備的，就是前往監獄代步的車輛，美國監獄路途遙遠，崎嶇難行，長途跋涉，穿越沙漠，翻山越嶺，有時候遇上壞天氣在路上更加艱巨危險，弘法者以大悲願力堅持，不懼艱辛，然而車子能夠推動前往目的地也是很重要的助緣。
美國菩薩寺義工團隊們穿州過省前往監獄，弘法能夠得以順利進行，背後有無數義工默默的發心幫助，其中一位一直以來默默付出，是一位發心為菩薩寺維修車輛的Alan菩薩。
美國菩薩寺顯中法師特別向Alan道謝，感謝這位菩薩的發心幫助，每次都是免費幫忙維修車子，Alan菩薩以這樣的方式來護持我們，幫助我們能夠安全平安前往監獄，讓渴求佛法的受刑人能聽聞佛法，心生歡喜，Alan菩薩這樣的參與和付出，盡自己的能力發心，我們實在是非常讚嘆和感激。
不求別人掌聲，但求自己盡心；不求自己安樂，但願眾生離苦。
感動生命，眾緣成就，成就法師到處弘法，成就了多少人聽聞佛法，我們不能看少自己的力量，以Alan菩薩為例，以自己的能力發心，護持佛法，成就受刑人能學佛修行，改變生命，絕對是菩薩寺的護法，一個人發心付出，從不計較地協助，龍天諸佛也歡喜。所以發菩提心正確，處處都是修行的好道場；所以任何方式都是布施，都是護持佛法，都是法布施啊。
我們為Mira Mesa Auto Techs祈求佛菩薩，希望他的事業順利，感恩很多年的護持。
今天分亨Alan菩薩默默付出的真實故事，菩蕯寺有幸這些年來一直得到各方的發心護持，持續監獄弘法之重任，作弘法之乘車，開獄中光明路。在此再次感謝Alan菩薩及所有幫助過菩薩寺的諸位大德們，祝大家善根深植，圓滿菩提。
Dear Ven. Xian Zhong and Shirley,
How are you both doing? I have been going over the homework you gave us to do. You asked us to write down as much of the teaching you gave at the service on 11-7-2010 as we could remember. For both, as part of our learning and to check how well we remember.
Using one word to describe what happiness means to me. As I mentioned at the service, the more I think about it, the more it looks like I do not know what happiness actually is. What I currently think happiness is; are events or objects I am encountering and I am interpreting the experience with either the word good or bad. As you explained in the teaching, you gave about how we compare right away in our mind. It looks like I am applying this way of reaching a conclusion, comparing with a previous similar experience then determining if it is good or bad and if I label it good, it seems I am calling this happiness. So far each thing I thought of, when I wondered what happiness is; ended up being something transient, momentary. It is happiness, but it is happiness found in the mundane. What I should be looking for and trying to actualize is in the super mundane. As you said, real happiness must be experienced and cannot be explained. Like in your example when you asked us to pretend we never tasted sweet before and the glass of sweet water on the shelve. I need to find out what real happiness is in order to know what I am looking for. Is it okay if we can continue to talk about what happiness are in future visits with you?
Along with writing down and thinking about the teachings you gave us. I am also doing the 108 prostrations. Other practices that I do; is meditation on green Tara and I switch it with meditation on the Buddha everyday in the morning. First thing I do when I wake up in the morning is give a small prayer and set my motivation. I do three prostrations then I clean my room. I try to have the attitude that I am preparing for the Buddha, as if he were coming to visit me. During the day I try to study some of Buddha’s teachings in the books you sent us. At night I do purification meditation by visualizing Vajrasattva in the context of the four opponent powers.
Before I close, I want you to know that the brothers and I here in Centinela are very fortunate that you and Shirley have made it possible for us to receive the help we need with our Dharma practice. I send you both many prayers.
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Dear Ven. Xian Zhong and Shirley,