Just want to thank you for all the effort you all put into getting a national prison newspaper to everyone inside. I’ve been to many location in VIC and see many inmates enjoying the content so thank you for all the hard work (we appreciate you all).
Experiences of incarcerated
My name is Chris, My Dharma name is Shoten. I’m 33 and have spent 10 years inside prison.
The last 8 years I’ve said to myself, no more crime, no more jail. There’s more to life then drugs, money and running amok.
I started to think about life more deeply. I found myself going to see the Buddhist Chaplin – it became the highlight of my week.
I’ve been Buddhist just over 12 months now. The beautiful side of Buddhism is how gentle it is. It doesn’t demand belief or perfection. It simply invites you to look at your mind, your suffering, your habits with honesty and kindness.
Buddhism teaches that pain is a part of being human, not a failure. Thoughts are not who you are, change is always possible because nothing is permanent. There is beauty in the idea that peace isn’t something you chase, it’s something you uncover when you stop clinging.
Another beautiful part is compassion for others, yes, but especially for yourself. Buddhism allows you to be human without punishment. It says you can acknowledge harm, learn from it and still move forward with dignity.
Even in confinement loss or chaos the mind can be free. No one can lock that away. Many blessing to you all and may the triple gem always be with you. Shout out to all my Dharma Brothers.
