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 Prison Program
Today I would like to introduce one of the former students of IBS Prison Sangha. His name is Christopher Wagner, one of the good Buddhist practitioners in the Iron Temple. After 17 years of his retreat in the Iron Temple, he is a free man again. He took three refuges and 5 precepts a long time ago and became a vegetarian. He visited the IBS Temple in San Diego to give his thanks for supporting him during his retreat in the Iron Temple. I think the credit goes to all our supporters and volunteers. Here he would like to share how he met IBS in prison and what kind of changes he had.
This is IBS Prison Program’s first video of interviewing a brother. I hope that you share it with your friends and those who have been part of this program. Also, don’t forget to drop a comment. IBS would like to share more videos and articles about how Buddhism really benefiting them during their incarceration. Again, thanks for being part of this meaningful program. Amituofo
IBS Homeless Program
Do you know how fortunate we are? We have food to eat, clothes to wear, and a house to live in. But there are millions of unfortunate people in this world. They don’t know when their next meal will be. They don’t have a place to rest, nor a place to take a shower. You might have come across one in your daily life. The next time you see one, please help out to the best of your ability.
IBS has been helping the homeless for many years. There had been many generous people who had supported this program. In California, IBS fed many homeless brothers and sisters in the San Diego Downtown, Santa Ana, Los Angeles, Fresno, San Jose, and Stockton. On Saturday, under the guidance of Ven. Xian Zhong, we went to Skid Row, Los Angeles, and Santa Ana to feed 
our homeless brothers and sisters. We were able to feed about 350 street brothers and sisters. IBS would like to thank Jake, Rich, Lisa, Barbara, Patrick, Elaine, John, Sean, Terri, Lie Ly, and Winston for helping us feed them. Thank you especially to Lie Ly and Winston, they were with us the whole day to help feed those homeless brothers and sisters. We had a very fruitful day with these kind people at Skid Row and Santa Ana. IBS really appreciates your time and support. Hope we can do this more often.
Skid Row in Los Angeles is one of the places where thousands of homeless brothers and sisters live. It is very saddening to see all those people living in shabby tents on the sidewalks. The whole street has a lot of garbage, and an unpleasant smell permeates the air throughout the area. But these are the lives of those unfortunate people. We should find the time to try help them lift their lives if possible. We know that IBS feeding them once in a blue moon will not help much. We saw that there were other organizations who fed them more regularly. Still, that is not the ultimate solution. At least these provide a temporary relief from hunger and thirst. But I wish that they get additional support from those organizations or citizens who have the potential to counsel and educate them to get out from their homeless situation. That is the ultimate help for them but we still should carry on feeding them food, water, giving clothes and shelters.
The practice of loving, kindness, and compassion are very important and not only helps oneself but also benefits many others. IBS encourages people to do good deeds on their birthdays and to celebrate them in a very special and meaningful way. We can’t wait to celebrate your birthday by offering a special meal to the people on the street who need them the most. Please feel free to join us and support homeless brothers and sisters.
If you want to do an offering in overseas countries, it is our honor to organize for you in Nepal, India, and Bhutan – this includes monks in the monasteries, kids in the orphanages, old age home, beggars on the streets, amongst others. Your birthday offering will make many families and kids happy and I am sure that will be a meaningful way to celebrate your birthday.
If anyone would like to offer a meal to the monks in the temples, homeless brothers and sisters on street, or people living in old age homes, please contact IBS in the USA and we will be very happy to organize for your birthday. Amituofo _()_