View full issue in PDF - The Mindfulness Bell

Prison Sangha
by Therese Fitzgerald
The chaplain said, ':You know, it is unprecedented in the
North CarolIna pnson system to have a Buddhist
ce:emony." We were on the phone trying to rearrange a Five
Mmdfulness Trainings ceremony for Sam DuBois an
inmate at Harnett Correctional Institution. Charlot~e Sangha
member Bob Repoley had spent weeks arranging for a
dozen ~~ngha members to attend a ceremony that prison
authontles cancelled at the last minute.
I was allowed to make a personal visit to Sam at the time
of the sched~led ceremony. Having gotten lost in the nearby
town of LIllIngton, I arrived ten minutes late. The female
guard who checked me in exclaimed, "Sam's been askin'
for you every minute!" Sam met me, and we were allowed
to sit at a picnic table in the prison yard. We just sat together
e~Joymg the autumnal air. Looking at the heavily pruned
WIllow oak trees in the yard, I expressed gladness that they
were at least there, however contorted. "We are surrounded
by trees," Sam beamed, pointing through the chain fencing
topped by coils of barbed wire to the trees across the street
from the prison. "I'm fortunate to have a window by my bed
in the dormitory, so I can look out and enjoy the trees and
the birds that fly overhead." We discussed each Mindfulness
Training, one by one, as well as the context of practicing the
Trainings in a Sangha.
I gave the prison authorities a copy of the text for the
Trainings ceremony without any Sanskrit words, to dispel
any notion of cultish activities. For example, the authorities
had referred to me as a "high priestess." "You can refer to
me as a minister," I responded. Over the next two days, the
Durham and Charlotte Sanghas and I prepared for the
ceremony with the help of the chaplain. At the very last
minute, the chaplain was able to give us the "OK." Kim
Warren and I drove as quickly as we mindfully could to
arrive at the designated time.
At the prison, our persons and everything we broughtzafus,
incense, bells-were inspected at the gate. Once
again, Sam was there, Johnny-on-the-spot, to greet us and
usher us with the guard through groups of prisoners milling
about, to the chapel. The chaplain graciously welcomed us
into the chapel, a haven of quiet and calm on the otherwise
noisy, crowded campus.
Seven men gathered to bear witness and to participate in
Sam's ordination. I looked each man in the eye with respect
and a certain seriousness. We exchanged names and shook
hands, and I invited everyone to sit in a circle. We sat in
meditation to settle into an experience of ease and selfacceptance.
We sat in support of Sam going for refuge and
protection.
Just as we began the formal ceremony, Leslie Rawls and
Bob Repoley arrived after a three-hour drive from Charlotte.
The circle widened. Two inmates entered the room as
observers. Incense was offered and the Mindfulness
Training Transmission Ceremony took place. Sam emeroed
as '.'Courageous Understanding of the Source," and man;
smIles were present in the room. A fellow inmate told Sam
"I share your joy." We all felt the joy of the moment '
welc~ming . Sam into his formal acceptance and prac~ice of
the FIve Mmdfulness Trainings. We were allowed a visit
with Sam in the yard before departing, happy that this day
had corne to be.
Therese Fitzgerald, True Light, is a Dharma teacher and
the Director of the Community of Mindful Living.
The Community of Mindful Living's Prisoner's Program
provides books, subscriptions to The Mindfulness Bell, and
other support to inmates around the U.S. If you are interested
in assisting the project, please contact CML at P. 0.
Box 7355, Berkeley, CA 94707, tel: (510)527-3751.
The following letters were received from other inmates
who attended Sam's ceremony and are part of the
Harnett Correctional Center Sangha.
Our Sangha met Saturday. We did a reading meditation
on anger. It went well. The bellmaster did a fabulous
job-it's funny how much I've come to enjoy the
ringing of a bell. .. The thought has crossed my mind
that perhaps I could be somehow instrumental in
carrying the good news of what Bob [Repoley] and
Sam [DuBois] have begun. I thirst for more knowledge
and as time passes hopefully I'll have other Dharma
teachers to learn from. This path that has been presented
to me offers something seldom experienced .. .
This old heart of mine beats with much more loving
kindness now. It'll grow even more.
Edwyn Wright
Lillington, North Carolina
Thank you for your time, persistence, patience, and
presence here at Harnett Correctional. The Mindfulness
Training ceremony for Sam was beautiful. Since then,
he has radiated with the same glow that you provided
while here. I am most sincerely interested in more
teachings surrounding the Mindfulness Trainings ... I
cannot help but see the benefits of meditation and the
important support of my community. I have found that
accountability and responsibility are universal. Much
has been given to me, truly, much is required ...
Frankie Palmer
Lillington, North Carolina
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