On most Saturdays we meet at the Men's Prison for a meditation group. M is a nun in the Tibetan tradition .... we meet in the dining hall with a small group of prisoners. Guards look on, but as yet none have joined us.
We meditate, drink tea and talk ... and fold paper cranes. We started with very large pieces of newspaper because it's easier to fold a large one when first learning. Many of them were set in flight about the hall ... like paper airplanes. We laughed a lot and ate all the cookies.
Over a few weeks, we gradually progressed to smaller and smaller models until the guys became familiar with the folds. They hung the cranes in their rooms when they went back. They don't live in cells here, but in blocks of duplexes scattered about the grounds.
Eventually I became known as "the crane lady"
2 comments:
Janice, you are an inspiration! My grandfather was a zen priest who spent a lot of time counseling prisoners in Japan. I think it's great that you give your time so kindly.
I first became interested in prison work when I was living and working at the Zen Center in Honolulu. My teacher, Robert Aitkin, now retired, still takes part in Ho'opakele, a group of mainly Hawaiian people interested in decarceration and prison reform. He helped to organize the East Hawai'i Island Chapter of the Buddhist Peace Fellowship, and took part in vigils and periodic rallies.
Loving your tulip headers, and look forward to them every morning
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