Khanti: Prison outreach program

It all began eight or nine years ago, when Bodhana (then Dave Carr) started corresponding with a local inmate. Little did he know that this simple act would grow into such a major part of his Dharma practice. Bodhana now calls his work the Khanti Outreach Program. In Pali, "khanti" means patience, love and kindness, openness, and receptivity to higher spiritual truths. The mission of his program is to support prisoners who wish to practice the Dharma - through correspondence, distribution of Dharma books, as well as study and meditation groups.

Khanti activities

The bulk of Bodhana's outreach work takes place at the New Hampshire State Prison for men in Concord. In the last four or five years, other members of the Sangha have joined Bodhana in this very important work. Thanks to the kindness of these volunteers, a men's mitra class is held on Wednesday mornings; meditation, the chanting of Refuges and Precepts and Dharma study take place on Thursday afternoons; and Bodhana and another volunteer meet with the men for meditation and discussion on Saturday mornings.

As support material, Bodhana has written a prison meditation manual which explains the Mindfulness of Breathing, the Metta Bhavana, and walking meditation. Bodhana also organizes retreats at the prison that are held on a Friday night and all day Saturday. These retreats are held three times a year. You are welcome to attend but an application must be completed a month before the retreat.

How you can help

We have received great support from many friends over the years. Here are a few things you might consider if you would like to help:

• donate dharma books to give to inmates
• correspond with inmates -- email Bodhana for details at Bodhana at verizon.net (replace the word "at" with an "@" sign)
• teach dharma and meditation classes
• Teach Dharma or meditation classes
• Attend a Concord retreat

According to Bodhana, "I receive back from the inmates far more than I give. I see these prisoners as making a sincere effort to change their lives."

If you would like to know more or would like to help with this project, just email Bodhana at Bodhana at verizon.net (replace the word "at" with an "@" sign).