ACI is Helping People in Prison Find Wisdom

Dr. Michael Moore, who runs ACI's prison wisdom program

Time in prison can be a kind of living hell for those who are inside. Asian Classics Institute offers prisoners across the US and in some other countries an opportunity to study Buddhism during their incarceration. 

The Asian Classics Institute is dedicated to the serious study and personal practice of the original teachings of the Buddha. Our purpose is to provide a thorough, accurate Tibetan Buddhist education to anyone interested. We offer 15 formal study courses which parallel the same basic core of information that a geshe (Tibetan for Doctor of Theology) learns at a Tibetan Buddhist monastery. This curriculum is provided free of charge to prisoners who are unable to pay.

Studying the teachings provides comfort and wisdom to people who, even more than most people, are experiencing suffering in cyclic existence. The Buddhist teachings can often help people in prison to change their lives for the better. The opportunity to focus on higher truths while they are in prison can help a lot.

Dr. Michael Moore is one of Geshe Michael Roach's most senior students. A medical doctor working out of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Dr. Moore has been running Asian Classics Institute's prison outreach program for 29 years.

"Because of the lack of funding, it is more difficult to provide the info to prisoners now," says Michael, who is the main reason Asian Classics Institute is able to reach out to this under-served community that needs Buddhist teachings so much. "We advertise in a non-denominational publication--a magazine that provides our information at no charge. The prisoners write asking for information.  I then reply informing them that the reading material must be accompanied by the audio commentary taught by Geshe Michael.  They are requested to get approval from their prison authorities."

The world prison population is estimated at about 11.5 million people. The U.S. and China are tied for the largest prison populations, with about 1.7 million people each.  ACI's prison outreach program serves mostly Americans, but Michael has had prison students from as far away as Australia.

The way the ACI prison outreach program works is to some degree restricted by prison regulations.  "We can't reach out directly to prisoners," explains Michael.  "After they have discovered we offer the courses, they request the courses. I then send them a form letter and description of every course.  They are asked to get approval from their authorities. Then the prisoner contacts us and I send the requested course."

The courses are available to the prisoners on either tape cassettes or CDs. "I'm glad to say that most people request CDs these days, because that's a little easier to provide. But some people still ask for cassettes.

"Once I get an order form indicating that it's ok with both the prisoner and the prison organization, I send them the cassettes or CDs and written material, which includes texts, homeworks, quizzes, and exams. And they can begin to study."

Prisoners not only need to go through their chaplains or prison authorities to sign up for ACI courses, they also need to get permission from their prison library to listen to the recordings. "Prisoners often don't have the ability to listen to classes in their cells. They need to be in the library, to listen or even to read," says Michael. 

The ACI prison outreach program reaches about 50-100 people a year.  In previous years that number was higher, about 200-300 a year. "It would be nice to advertise more," Michael tells us. "And at this point, we're not really using social media."  Both are potential activities for the future.

Michael takes responsibility for grading completed courses, if prisoners send in their homeworks. The ACI Registrar, Charae McDaniel (who is also Michael's daughter as well as the Chief Financial Officer of the City of Colorado Springs) will print and mail a Certificate of Completion.  Michael says, "If I get a question, for instance someone is confused about one of the explanations or has questions about how to answer something, I'll do my best to answer it."

Over the years, Michael has heard some touching stories from prisoners who are grateful for the opportunity to study Buddhism and gain the wisdom it provides. "I have gotten introspective and emotional letters from prisoners. I share them with Geshe Michael. Mostly, I hear about how they don't get into trouble as much in prison. Sometimes, I hear about small groups forming, where prisoners can study together. And a lot of prisoners tell me how meaningful this study program is to their lives."

Michael says there is a broad range of capacity among the prison students attracted to study the ACI courses. "Some are PhDs, MDs, or MAs.  Others can barely write. We run the full gamut. But everyone has in common the fact that they've done something wrong and landed in prison. Our prison outreach program is a lifeline for these folks."

For more information or to sign up, please email info@asianclassicsinstitute.org. Please include "Prison Project" in your subject line.