Buddhist Prison Ministry is the official service project of Sukhasiddhi Foundation

Written By Susan Shannon, M. Div, BCC

Sukhasiddhi Foundation is thrilled to partner with the remarkable efforts of Buddhist Prison Ministry to bring the wisdom of the dharma to those who are incarcerated. This ministry grew out of the experiences of Susan Shannon’s work as a Buddhist chaplain in San Quentin prison over a period of 9 years.

The Service role for Sukhasiddhi’s seasoned students and practitioners is to serve as a Homework Buddy or kalyanamrita – a spiritual friend, companion. This is not a pen pal program, but rather an opportunity to offer acknowledgement and appreciation of an incarcerated student’s responses to BPM course books. First, let’s explain.

What is the Buddhist Prison Ministry?

Buddhist Prison Ministry freely offers transformative tools and wisdom from the Buddhist tradition. Our Courses and Workbooks are written specifically for the incarcerated population using accessible language and an interfaith lens.

Using tools, skills and insights from restorative justice and emotional literacy, our courses create greater connection—and ultimately interconnection—with all forms of life. Core components include:

  • Workbooks + Courses - Buddhist-based course work written specifically for the incarcerated using accessible language and an interfaith lens, free of charge.

  • Certificate + Connection - Inmates who complete our soft-bound paper coursebooks receive a certificate of completion, and a personal, in-depth reply from a BPM Homework Buddy volunteer—a seasoned Buddhist practitioner from various traditions.

The Powerful idea of creating workbooks

BPM’s first workbook was envisioned by a group of “condemned” men on San Quentin’s Death Row, who wanted to pay forward the wealth of transformative dharma work they’d done together over many years. That this very thought of altruism—coming from one of the darkest places on earth—has now spread into prisons in every state across the country—gives truth and credence to the power of Bodhicitta, the Awakened Heart.

NOTE: Many thanks to Sukhasiddhi practioner and buddy, Suzanne Lucas, for the incredible work done to turn the workbooks into state of the art, beautiful productions!

The Role of the Homework Buddy

A Homework Buddy receives and responds to a BPM student’s responses to reflection questions they answer as they complete chapters in their workbook. It’s an opportunity to acknowledge understanding and offer appreciation.

Becoming a homework buddy often leads to a deeper understanding of dharma, our interconnectedness, and offers many opportunities to identify and transform your judgements, assumptions, and prejudices. Plus, you will join an established community of others who have been volunteering with Buddhist Prison Ministry since its inception in 2020.

How to apply to become a Homework Buddy

Please send an email to Lama Palden at lamapaldendrolma@gmail.com with answers to the following questions:

1. Name

2. Email or way to contact you

3. Name of the Sukhasiddhi Program(s) you are engaged in, if applicable.

4. Why you are interested in this service project (300-500 words suggested, but feel free to write more.)

Once your application is received and reviewed, you will receive notice from Lama Palden or our Sukhasiddhi BPM coordinator about your acceptance.

Upon approval, you will be asked to do the following:

  • Attend an online orientation that will introduce our program and our protocols for being an effective Homework Buddy to our incarcerated students.

  • Receive a copy of our first workbook and write your reflections to the integration questions.

  • Attend a meeting with experienced Sukhasiddhi/BPM volunteers to discuss any questions.

  • Begin to receive homework packets! We hope you can complete at least 3 during byour involvement.

  • We ask that you attend one or more of our bi-monthly volunteer meetings where we get an opportunity to share our own process with this work as well as some of the heartfelt and revelatory reflections we receive from our incarcerated brothers and sisters. This is also a time where you can bring up any questions.

Thank you for your interest in Sukhasiddhi’s Service Project with Buddhist Prison Ministry

We look forward to working with you to bring Bodhicitta Behind Bars!

To learn more about BPM visit us at: www.buddhistprisonministry.com

Susan Shannon, M. Div, BCC

Susan Shannon, M. Div., BCC has been “married to the Dharma” since 1971, first studying Chinese Buddhism, then finding home with Tibetan Tradition. She took refuge with His Holiness the Dalai Lama in 1980 and in 1983 took refuge and teachings with His Eminence Kalu Rinpoche, the great master of the Karma Kagyu and Shangpa lineages. Over the years she’s also taken refuge with some of Tibet’s greatest masters in the Sakya, Drukpa Kagyu, Dudjom Tersar and Nyingma lineages. 

In 1998 her lama Ven. Dhupthob Rinpoche introduced her to the State Oracle of Tibet, who requested Susan’s help in creating a Buddhist Center for local Tibetans. This led to the beginning of the Nechung Buddhist Center of the Bay Area, of which she is a founding board member. 

In 2008, with the desire to be of service to a greater number of beings, Susan enrolled in an Interfaith Seminary and was ordained an Interfaith Chaplain and Minister in 2011, receiving a Masters in Divinity shortly after. She was endorsed by the Nechung Center as a Buddhist Chaplain in 2012, authorizing her to teach, provide services, and spiritually serve the men in San Quentin State Prison and Death Row.

Susan’s work is grounded in the fields of Restorative Justice and Emotional Literacy, working with several populations including inmates, at-risk youth, the homeless, and Tibetan refugees. In 2017 Lama Palden invited Susan to Sukhasiddhi. Her lively classes have engaged students ever since. Susan resides on Orcas Island, Washington, furthering her prison work through the Buddhist Prison Ministry, spreading the Dharma in prisons across the United States.

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