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:
IBS Annual Fundraising Dinner 2018
Yesterday was the IBS prison visitation program 23rd anniversary fundraising event. It was another very successful one. More than 200 people gathered at Jasmine Restaurant to support the IBS Prison Program. I was very touched because there were people who drove down all the way from Los Angeles and 
Orange County to be part of this meaningful event. IBS is so blessed by these generous and selfless people who have been continuously supporting our program to grow and support our brothers and sisters in the Iron Temples.
Social media has been playing a very important role in the IBS Prison Program. It helps us to connect many kind people all over the world who have same vision about the importance of teaching Buddhism in prisons. I remember 8 years ago when we started the IBS Prison Library program, I did not know where to find the Dharma books for the prison libraries. Through social media, we got to know many organizations and individuals who selflessly donated Dharma books for the prison library program. Today I am pleased to announce that with the contributions of our supporters, we have set up 105 Buddhist libraries different prisons in 4 different states.
This year, our fundraising event was so successful not just because of the participation and support from local people but also due to the wonderful support from online volunteers. This year 330 people supported our program. 
Each table could seat 10 people and we sold out 33 tables in total. There were 20 tables from California, 7 from Malaysia, 5 from Hong Kong, and 1 from Singapore. Here I would like express gratitude on behalf of all of IBS to Py/ Richard and all supporters from Malaysia; Rame Chiu and all supporters from Seattle and Hong Kong; Sydney and every supporter from Singapore. IBS’ event wouldn’t be so successful without the generous support of all these amazing people.
At the same time, I would like to give thanks to all of the local volunteers who spent a lot of their precious time to help make this event successful. First, I would like to thank Nathan and Nerissa for working day and night to finish the video project before the event. It was something different and a very effective presentation this year to our supporters. Many people approached me and gave positive feedback regarding the video. 
I also would like to thank Julia for spending many days to write the description of each and every auction item, and of course thanks to all IBS local volunteers and members for working so hard to make this event smooth and successful.
Again thanks to everyone who has been part of the IBS Prison program. We will keep posting our progress and prison visitation reports time to time. May each and every one have good conditions to practice Buddha Dharma. May all beings be blessed by Triple Gems.
Amituofo
Short History of IBS Prison Program
The International Bodhisattva Sangha (IBS) Prison Program was founded in 1995 by Venerable Master Hueiguang. Before renouncing his life as a layman, Venerable Hueiguang was a student at the University of California in San Diego and was teaching classes on Buddhism at a local temple. His classes focused on how to apply the Dharma in western culture.
In 1994, he did an on-air interview with one of his students who was a disc jockey at a local radio station. They discussed how to handle relationships and personal problems from a Buddhist perspective. An inmate at the Calipatria State Prison in California who was listening to the radio program was inspired to write a heartfelt letter to the temple expressing his desire to learn more about Buddhism and meditation. In the letter he requested Master Hueiguang to visit the prison and perhaps teach the inmates about Buddhism and meditation.
Since he was a student at a Buddhist college and a recently ordained monk, Venerable Hueiguang was unable to accommodate the request and meet with the inmates at that time. Despite his conflicting schedule and responsibilities, he was determined to fulfill the humble request of the inmate. He asked his devotees, Danny and Shirley Tam, to fulfill the request as well as teach and spread the Dharma. That simple act initiated the IBS Prison Program which has continued for 12 years at Calipatria State Prison.
Venerable Hueiguang’s first disciple, Venerable Xian Zhong (aka Tsering Motup) came to the U.S. to join the IBS program in January of 2008. Under the guidance of Venerable Xian Zhong, the IBS Prison Program has extended to many prisons in California, Washington State and Oregon. IBS has established 48 sanghas and also created 105 Buddhist libraries within 32 prisons in California, 14 in Washington State, 5 in Arizona and 1 in Oregon State. Additionally, Venerable Xian Zhong and the IBS team have coordinated several multi-day meditation retreats in different California prisons. These meditation retreats were unique due to them being the first of their kind to be approved by a warden in the state of California. Since joining the prison program, IBS has been given the opportunity to visit 32 California prisons on a regular basis. Opening their heart to those who have lost their way, IBS continues to support individuals who are incarcerated to help them realize their true nature. With the belief that everyone deserves a second chance, many incarcerated individuals can benefit from Buddha’s teachings. The IBS dream is to one day offer Dharma and meditation teachings to all state prisons in the United States.