Buddhist Prison Ministry Plus Sukhasiddhi Foundation's Community Dharma Leaders Equals the Paramita of Generosity!

Written By Susan Shannon, M. Div, BCC

In just one year, Susan Shannon’s Introduction to Buddhism Prison Ministry Course has spread into prisons in every state in the US! Participants have a choice to contemplate the integration questions included in each lesson or complete them and send them in for review and a certificate of completion. 

Introduction to Buddhism workbook

Susan, surprised and overwhelmed by the number of students who are sending in their packets of responses, reached out to the members of Sukhasiddhi’s Community Dharma Leaders (CDL) for help. She explained, “This is one of the most valued ways of practicing the paramita of generosity, that of spreading the dharma!” 

Suzanne Lucas, a CDL member, writes: 

Being part of the Buddhist Prison Ministry Project has been deeply impactful. I’m perpetually humbled by the inmate’s knowledge of Buddhist philosophy, as well as other faith traditions. They have really revealed a lot of my blindspots in the BuddhaDharma (I often need to research sutras/terms they mention)! 

But perhaps even more meaningful is how these individuals have turned their situation to the path. They are indeed Bodhisattvas, transforming their time in prison into retreat, devoting themselves to study and practice. I feel profoundly grateful for their inspiration and the gift of reading their insights.

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, please reach out to Susan at buddhistprisonministry@gmail.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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