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In early Buddhism we see that characters like:

In recent times we have seen S.N.Goenka doing prison courses. Also there are new perspectives in correction discussed in talks like: The neuroscience of restorative justice.

So how can Buddhism be used for the correction of people, and how does this compare with other developments in this area using lessons and teachings from within the Tripiṭaka?

Suminda Sirinath S. Dharmasena
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    I wonder why someone downvoted this question, I thought I was quite an interesting one. I do believe there are meditation courses set up for inmates in Europe and America, so this does seem apt and relevant. – DirkM Dec 15 '14 at 12:17
  • I am also trying to figure why the down votes. Some comments could have helped. If improvements are needed you can edit the question. – Suminda Sirinath S. Dharmasena Dec 15 '14 at 13:37
  • I know nothing about the topic, so I couldn't tell the difference between this question and https://www.google.com/search?q=prison+buddhism ? Because the question is open (apparently any answer related to Buddhism and prison might be on-topic) therefore it's "too broad". The only difference between a google search and positing here is that here you're only polling for opinions of the people who happen to use this site, and to that extent you seem to be looking for answers that are somewhat subjective or opinion-based. – ChrisW Dec 15 '14 at 14:30
  • So is the question, "What does the historical Tripitaka say about how to reform killers and criminals? Does the Tripitaka contain relevant advice and/or stories?" And/or are you looking for stories and/or lessons from modern practical experience? – ChrisW Dec 15 '14 at 14:47
  • I am looking for application from the Tripitaka to reform people. Also how this comparer with modern developments. – Suminda Sirinath S. Dharmasena Dec 15 '14 at 15:38
  • Hmm, I never thought the story of Angulimala as "to reform" or "to correct" someone (the grammatical accusative form) - different from the way which the Buddha had chosen to teach people *who want to learn* and give them the chance to hear him and understand the tools how to proceed to leave hatred, unconsciousness, stickyness ... . It was -again in my view, and perhaps I'm alone on this world with this view- never to "reform someone". – Gottfried Helms Dec 15 '14 at 17:57
  • @GottfriedHelms Of course you're not alone. :-) I imagine Suminda might mean, "provide conditions on which the origination of a person's reform might depend" (e.g. making Buddhism available, perhaps in some agreeable way i.e. while not incurring their hatred). And/or Buddhism might be helpful, not as a doctrine to inflict on the people who "need to be reformed", but as a doctrine which informs the people who are trying to help them to reform. – ChrisW Dec 15 '14 at 18:21
  • JFGI is never an answer. When StackExchange has reached it's peak, we will be able to shut down google and stop using it. – MatthewMartin Dec 16 '14 at 02:15
  • @MatthewMartin My complaint is that that query returns a million search results, and the question didn't seem to me specific enough to let me guess which of these might be worth re-quoting: i.e. it's too broad. Maybe instead it's intended for an expert on that subject who will answer from their personal experience? Also I didn't vote to close the question. And I tried to describe my reasons for downvoting, perhaps against my better judgement, because Suminda asked for that comment: and not because I wanted an argument about it. – ChrisW Dec 16 '14 at 02:55
  • All cromulent reasons to complain about a question, just addressing the google part. – MatthewMartin Dec 16 '14 at 16:11
  • I suggest making explicit in the title that this is about incarcerated people. So its clear its a correction in the criminal system sense –  Dec 16 '14 at 21:47
  • Asoka and Ajasath were not necessary in the criminals but Tyrants. – Suminda Sirinath S. Dharmasena Dec 18 '14 at 17:54

2 Answers2

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I didn't down vote! I would say that the Buddha and the Buddha's system are not ways to reform people, they are ways for people to reform themselves.

What the Buddha did in cases like Angulimala was to perceive the particular approach which would be met with a comprehension that lead to their change or understanding of the goal. And this also usually under circumstances of compassion specific to the individual.

The idea of reforming people involves ambition, desire, wanting, etc. I think the distinction applies especially in cases such as prison reform. The lack of a specific target and certainty that one is providing an approach that will lead to attainment of the reform tells me that what is at work in a case like that is personal ambition rather than compassion.

When the Buddha speaks of the good man being of benefit to gods and men, he is speaking about the example they set. From the good example people reform themselves.

So, I suppose I would give as answer to this question: the best method for providing an opportunity for people to reform themselves is by being a good example.

  • Is there any reason to imagine that people are aware of your good example, and motivated to believe that they can and should follow your example? Does "compassion" suggest that you essentially ignore these people, and go about your own life, until or unless they want to ask how to follow your example? – ChrisW Dec 16 '14 at 17:55
  • I object to having my comment limited in length! Apologies if it is against the rules, but I will break it up into three comments.

    The individuality is an illusion. What that illusion is founded on is mind. That mind is omnicient. People, individuals, have been seeking an escape from rebirth since the beginning of time. Unconsciously they will be aware of the individual who has found a solution to this problem. Another way of saying that is that people are aware of everything at one level.

     –  Dec 16 '14 at 18:28
  • I would not say compassion suggests ignoring people, but it is definately a different thing than trying to mess with other people's lives. Crusading for the benefit of the world. Etc. –  Dec 16 '14 at 18:28
  • What you definately see in the example of the Buddha as we find it in the suttas is that he responds. To questions and to situations where he perceives 'the ripeness' of an individual to receive a custom-tailored instruction. Within the sangha and at 'meetings' he will give a spontaneous dissertation, but here there is an implicit request for him to teach. –  Dec 16 '14 at 18:28
  • Thank you for your explanation. One way I like to deal with the comment-length limitation can be to edit/add to the answer, instead of trying to reply in comments. – ChrisW Dec 16 '14 at 18:43
  • @obo maybe you can add to your answer as ChrisW suggested. – Suminda Sirinath S. Dharmasena Dec 17 '14 at 05:56
  • I would probably agree that the goal is to get people to reform themselves, but how do we live in a society where people haven't gotten there yet? How do we realistically deal with people who've committed horrible crimes? If capital punishment isn't the anawer, and I don't think it is, we have to have some kind of process/mechanism for the safety and benefit others. – m2015 May 02 '17 at 02:32
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I guess it can be difficult to make a connection with people. Maybe they're not interested in Buddhism. How then can you talk with them?

Here is a short story of a venerable teaching blues harmonica to the people at a juvenile detention centre ("juvenile detention" implies "young criminals"):

In addition to his other duties Kusala Bhikshu gave presentations in the Los Angeles County Central Juvenile Hall on Buddhism, and meditation for four years, and for a year taught Blues Harmonica at a juvenile probation camp in Malibu, CA. Before his work in juvenile hall, and the probation camp, he spent one year as a volunteer at the Los Angeles County State Prison for men. In December of 1998 Kusala was given the “Good Samaritan of the Year” award for his work in juvenile hall by the Los Angeles County Probation Department.

In March of 2000 Kusala ended his volunteer work at Central Juvenile Hall, and accepted an invitation from the Garden Grove Police Department to become a police chaplain. Meditation, and yoga are still being taught at Central Juvenile hall thanks to the dedicated effort of various Buddhist volunteers and yoga teachers.

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