Sitting Inside: Buddhist Practice in America's Prisons

by Scott Whitney

The book has two prison inmates who want to start practicing Buddhism and volunteers from American sanghas who want to work with prison dharma groups. The book discusses the basics of meditation, compassion and precept practice within the correctional facility context. Whitney discusses some of the history of Buddhist involvement in American prisons as well as the history of constitutional interpretations of religious freedom as applied to inmates. The book is meant to be as practical as possible and it emphasizes Buddhism in action — through the precepts, peacemaking and sangha building inside and out.

Genres: Zen, Buddhism

164 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2002

Reviews

[Steve Woods · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a perspective on practice that I have never considered. It is practical, it has application it is not theoretical it has validity where "the rubber meets the road." Written as an assist to those insdie who might want to follow this opath it is a very valuable piece of work. Startling though not surprising are the accounts of resistance and sabotage people have encountered trying to bring practice into the system. Startling because it can only help everyone involved, not surprising becuase those who run the system are more interetsed in vengence than providing a chance for change. The chaplaincy system seems in many cases to be a force for evil rather than good, it fails those who need succour most. Partly the dogma and partly the nature of thsoe who run it, nonetheless not very useful.

I suppose that Buddhist practice is partly so feared because it empowers the individula and removes them from the clutches of those who would torment. Can't interrupt the games of the entrenched interests.

[Andi Barney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book on meditation and learning to control your own mind and thoughts, even if you aren't actually in prison. I am living proof, though, that it can and will get you through hard time.