The Monk, The Prisoner, The Buddha

During this writer’s two recent thirty - day stays of volunteer work in Cambodia, he has had the interesting opportunity to teach English to Cambodian Monks immediately followed by a trip to the local provincial prison to teach Yoga and Buddhism to groups of inmates there.

The contrast has been made more interesting as I have come to think of the prisoners as being monks more then the monks themselves.

Of course, Buddhist teachings as put forth in the Dhammapada remind us again and again that just because a man wears a yellow, orange or red robe, it does not make him a monk.

A monk is defined as someone who is making a constant, mindful and diligent effort to develop his mind through an understanding and practice of the Buddhist teachings and disciplines.

This can be done by a prisoner, a man in a robe, a housewife or househusband, a policemen, a prison guard or anyone anywhere.

In many respects, the prison environment is ideal for developing the mind if the men and women in that prison are given adequate food, medical care, shelter and rest, and a routine of behavior that brings stability.

This is unfortunately far from being the case in Cambodian prisons.

On the other hand, the Buddhist temple may not offer the environment that is necessary for a man or woman to develop his or her mind, whether they wear a robe or not, as how it is managed may not be based on Buddhist teachings or disciplines but may instead be something that caters to the cultural needs and interests of the culture and environment that it finds itself in.

Also, different temples may allow or disallow various actions, activities and behaviors on the part of the monks who stay there, which may also serve as hindrances to a monk’s understanding and practice of Buddhism and the progress that they make in developing their minds.

In fact, if monks are put on a pedestal, as they are in many countries, there may be problems that are allowed to develop or monks may not be held accountable for their actions or continually held to the course of Buddhist disciplines that they have taken a vow to learn, follow and practice.

What this writer has seen is that prisoners have the same mind and defiling impulses as monks do and to differentiate between the two because of culture and their perceived status is a mistake.

It is not where one stays or lives, what one wears or how one cuts their hair that leads to mind development.

It is the understanding and practice of the teachings and disciplines of Buddhism and this can be done by anyone at anytime and in anyplace.

We all can be monks and boddhisattvas through getting started with the work and practice that is involved in Buddhism and continuing onward with that work and practice.

©2007 John C. Kimbrough

Request for Donations to Assist Men and Women in the Cambodian Prisons

I am sure that some individuals may object to this writer using this newsgroup or online or print publication as a forum to ask for donations, but the donation of money and material goods is one of the things that we practice when we are walking a religious and spiritual path, and also part of what is involved in living as one with others on this earth.

This writer is requesting donations in order to provide men and women in a local provincial prison in Cambodia with health and educational resources.

These resources can be divided into those things that are purchased one time and those things that need to be bought on a frequent and ongoing basis.

Those health resources that need to be purchased on a one -time basis, their price and why they are needed are:

· Mats – These are needed so that the men and women will have something to sleep on at night. The price for one mat is about 90 cents and we need to purchase one hundred of them.

Those health resources that need to be purchased on an ongoing basis, their price and why they are needed are:

· Toilet Paper - So men and women can blow their noses. The price is 12 cents for one roll and we need fifty rolls.

· Medicinal and Regular Talcum Powder – To apply to the skin to prevent skin problems and diseases. The price for one canister of talcum powder varies from 50 cents to 1.50 depending in its size. We need about fifty of these.

· Cream for Skin and Crotch Problems – To apply to the skin and crotch in order treat unhealthy and itching skin conditions. The price for one tube of this cream is $1.50 and we need fifty tubes.

· Instant Noodles – To provide extra and needed nourishment for the men and women in the prison. The price for one package of noodles is 12 cents and we need about 200 packages

· Powdered Milk - To provide extra and needed nourishment for the men and women in the prison. The price for one can of powdered milk varies depending on its size, ingredients, purpose and production point. They can be rather expensive though, averaging around 3 dollars. We need about fifty of these cans.

Those educational resources that need to be purchased on a one - time basis, their price and why they are needed are:

· Whiteboards – The men need new whiteboards of a decent quality in order to assist in their study of English and Khmer. The price for one whiteboard is about 4 dollars. We need nine of them.

· Educational games (Scrabble) – We think that scrabble will be an excellent way to improve their vocabulary plus use their time in a way that allows them to grow intellectually while at the same time improve their English and be involved in something that is both constructive and enjoyable.

There are also other educational games that we wish to purchase in the near and long – term.

The price for one game of scrabble costs between 5 and 15 dollars. We wish to get eleven to twenty such games. Other games range in price from two to five dollars depending on where they were made and the quality of materials used in the making of them.

We are also involved in an ongoing attempt to make games for the men and women in the prison. The cost for such an endeavor is minimal but it rather time consuming and the games are not professionally made and may not be long lasting.

· English – Khmer Dictionaries – These are needed to assist in the teaching of English. The cost per one is S1.50 and we need twenty of them.

Those educational resources that need to be purchased on an ongoing basis, their price and why they are needed are:

· Pens – For learners to take notes. The price per one is 12 cents and we need two hundred.

· Notebooks – For learners to take notes in. The price per one is 12 cents and we need two hundred.

· Whiteboard Markers – For teaching using the whiteboard. The price per one is 25 cents and we need one hundred.

· Ink for Whiteboard markers – For refilling whiteboard markers. The price for one small container is 90 cents and we need fifty.

· Pencils – Longer lasting then pens though not as clear and easy to read. The price per one is 10 cents and we need fifty.

To assist people in their lives is not an inexpensive or easy thing, but it is a worthwhile thing to do.

Having taught these men in prison Yoga and Buddhism on a part - time and volunteer basis for close to two years, I have found that they want to improve their conditions and lives, are open and willing to learn and are also appreciative and respectful of any support that they get.

The reasons for them being in prison are not of concern to those of us who walk a religious, spiritual or charitable, compassionate and merciful path in life to others.

The experience of those who have been in or worked with prisoners shows us again and again that men and women can change for the better and that Yoga and Buddhist teachings and disciplines certainly can assist in bringing about a positive change in their minds and life.

If anyone wishes to assist in this through making a donation that will be used to purchase these items, one should contact this writer at the following E-mail address.

johnckimbrough@yahoo.com (johnckimbrough@yahoo.com)

Thank you for taking the time to read and think about this and perhaps assisting me in facilitating such a change.

©2007 John C. Kimbrough