Paddy murray
Paddy murray
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Review of Buddhist chaplaincy maximum security prison

Started this discussion. Last reply by Paddy murray Aug 21, 2011. 25 Replies

Hi All. After five years working one day a week, voluntarily, as a Buddhist chaplain in a maximum security prison I decided that it was time to ask 'what was it that i did'. I decided to do a review…Continue

 

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Paddy murray replied to Paddy murray's discussion 'Review of Buddhist chaplaincy maximum security prison'
Thanks for your comments Doug. Paddy
Aug 21, 2011
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Doug Gorman replied to Paddy murray's discussion 'Review of Buddhist chaplaincy maximum security prison'
Paddy, I appreciate the thoroughness of your review.I have seen nothing like it and I think it is useful for anyone considering prison chaplaincy. Thank you for all your good work.
Aug 21, 2011
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Prison Dharma Network replied to Paddy murray's discussion 'Review of Buddhist chaplaincy maximum security prison'
My Pleasure...Thanks again!   Smiles, madrone
Jul 8, 2011
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Paddy murray replied to Paddy murray's discussion 'Review of Buddhist chaplaincy maximum security prison'
Yes Madrone, I regard the document as a public document so you can use it as you will, thank you for your reply and generous comments. Paddy
Jul 7, 2011
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Prison Dharma Network replied to Paddy murray's discussion 'Review of Buddhist chaplaincy maximum security prison'
This is a beautiful piece, truly inspiring. And what a wonderful way to move throughout our the moments of our lives..Its a great reminder that we always beginning the inner healing process, in every moment of every day, if we so allow that to be…
Jul 7, 2011
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Prison Dharma Network replied to Paddy murray's discussion 'Review of Buddhist chaplaincy maximum security prison'
Hi Paddy- Thanks so much for your taking this project on and sharing it with us. It seems like its been very insightful for you. After reading through some of this, I wondered if you've heard of the Upaya Zen Center Chaplaincy…
Jul 7, 2011
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Paddy murray replied to Paddy murray's discussion 'Review of Buddhist chaplaincy maximum security prison'
Thank you for your thoughtful reply and sharing what you do. Paddy
Jul 6, 2011
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Myokei Shonin replied to Paddy murray's discussion 'Review of Buddhist chaplaincy maximum security prison'
This was excellent!  I have never really thought about doing such an assessment--not just for the whole of prison dharma, but simply as a personal exploration of my work and my own development.  I am greatly encouraged to read your…
Jul 5, 2011
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Pake Hall replied to Paddy murray's discussion 'Review of Buddhist chaplaincy maximum security prison'
I really agree with you. Let's keep on doing and improving our ways. _/\_
Jun 25, 2011
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Paddy murray replied to Paddy murray's discussion 'Review of Buddhist chaplaincy maximum security prison'
I agree Pake about the value of just hanging in with prisoners and not focussing on outcomes all the time. I suppose I am talking about something else. Most prisoners seek Buddhist chaplains out on a voluntary basis, at least half are ready to take…
Jun 24, 2011
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Pake Hall replied to Paddy murray's discussion 'Review of Buddhist chaplaincy maximum security prison'
Lovely poem and I find much of what you say to the point. Even Buddhist well intended practicies and service should be re examined over and over of course. But on the other hand - I guess there is something in spirtual service that's not at all…
Jun 24, 2011
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Prison Dharma Network replied to Paddy murray's discussion 'Review of Buddhist chaplaincy maximum security prison'
That's great!
Jun 22, 2011
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Paddy murray replied to Paddy murray's discussion 'Review of Buddhist chaplaincy maximum security prison'
Hi Samara, thanks for comment. The core principals are pure Buddhism, just in modern language.  You might enjoy my recent somewhat poem, below I use these in prison teaching: Now the present  creates  the past  and  the…
Jun 21, 2011
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Paddy murray replied to Paddy murray's discussion 'Review of Buddhist chaplaincy maximum security prison'
By all means use them. Paddy
Jun 21, 2011
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Prison Dharma Network replied to Paddy murray's discussion 'Review of Buddhist chaplaincy maximum security prison'
me too...so clear and right to the point! no monkey business :)
Jun 21, 2011
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Kate Crisp (PDN Director) replied to Paddy murray's discussion 'Review of Buddhist chaplaincy maximum security prison'
I like those core principles Paddy...would you mind if we adapt and use them in our program here?
Jun 21, 2011

Profile Information

Country
australia
How you are involved in Prison Dharma
Chaplain
My Prison Dharma Group or Organization
Santi monastery bundanoon
Tell us about yourself & your interest in prison dharma: (answer required) .
Am Buddhist chaplain in a max security prison in country aust. doing work for 4 yrs am therapist as well. Mainly chat with prisoners in yards and run a weekly meditation class
Prison or Dharma Books I Love
The works of ajahn chah

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Paddy murray

kuan Yin poem

Posted on January 21, 2010 at 11:49pm 0 Comments

Hello all. I am also a part time poet and would like to share with you a poem called Kuan Yin which I have used in prison sessions. I have had very good responses to it. One 65 year old European man said ' I can see now that I have been stuck in the past, now it is time for me to create my future'. No copyright

Kuan Yin

I am inside, looking out.

Wondrous visions warm my heart.

Like clouds they shift and move,

out of reach.

Can I be with… Continue
Paddy murray

who is this guy

Posted on January 21, 2010 at 11:42pm 2 Comments

HI Everybody. I am 65 and a Buddhist Chaplain in a maximum security prison, here in country NSW, Australia. The prison is in the town of Goulburn. It has 600 inmates and four separate prisons withing the prison. I work one day a week on a voluntary basis. christian chaplains are payed in Aust, but not Buddhists. I have been doing the chaplaincy for 4 years now and am passionate about my work/vocation. I am a trained counsellor as well and have done lots of work with men espcially around family… Continue

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At 6:31pm on February 18, 2010, Joanne AlexanderJoanne Alexander said…
Paddy, it's wonderful, the work that you are doing. It's unfortunate about the CD situation but sounds like you are working around it. I really like Pema's CD's -- I am listening to the one on getting unstuck for the second time -- it also has some content on abuse in it.

I glanced through Ajahn Chah's book 'Everything Arises Everything Falls Away' and thought it would be a good read (I have so many books to get to). There was an article that he wrote called 'Our Real Home', about aging and dying in the Shambhala Sun (30th Anniversary issue) that is so profound and helped me with my most recent hospice client (I swear I applied it unconsciously as I later went back to the article and realized it was what I was doing with her).
For many years I have wanted to work with inmates. One of my Shambhala teachers started a meditation group at a prison last Spring, and I hope to assist some day. It's 1 1/2 hours away from home, but I'm sure I can make it work somehow.
Have you read the Dhamma Brothers and Jarvis Jay Masters' book? Can you show videos to the prisoners? There is one of the Dhamma Brothers that I haven't seen but plan to buy, and also on line you can watch the youtube video of Doing Time, Doing Vipassana.
There's such a wealth of wonderful material out there...
At 3:10pm on January 21, 2010, Prison Dharma NetworkPrison Dharma Network said…
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