http://www.dhammabrothers.com/
Sep 26th, 2008 by admin
Powerful film about an experiment introducing vipassana meditation into a maximum security prison. From the NYT review: The teachings of the Buddha infiltrate a maximum-security prison in “The Dhamma Brothers,” a thinking-head documentary about finding answers within for those who can’t get out.
Filmed in 2002 at the Donaldson Correctional Facility in Bessemer, Ala., one of the most violent prisons in North America, this provocative film follows a small group of inmates through a strict course of Vipassana meditation. For nine days participants must abstain from talking (as well as from killing, stealing and intoxicants) and follow a regimented schedule of meals, rest and “noble silence.” According to the convicted murderer Grady Bankhead, those nine days were tougher than his eight years on Death Row.
Directed by Jenny Phillips (an anthropologist and psychotherapist who initiated the program), Andrew Kukura and Anne Marie Stein, “The Dhamma Brothers” offers a constructive alternative to the hopelessness of human warehousing. Opening up her film to include prison staff (cautiously impressed with the students’ behavioral changes), inmates’ families and members of the public, Ms. Phillips candidly documents the mixed emotions and institutional conflicts aroused by the introduction of a Buddhist practice in a predominantly Christian prison.
“ ‘Vipassana’ means ‘to see things as they are,’ ” says Bruce Stewart, one of the program’s two teachers. For men like Mr. Bankhead, that may be the only freedom they will ever know.
(NYT, By JEANNETTE CATSOULIS; Published: April 11, 2008)
This reminds me of the TOL piece about teaching Hamlet to those in a Federal prison, about how inmates have a different perspective on some actions that we would not contemplate. Who better to be Hamlet than those who know first hand about the consequences of action, especially (for some) killing? Thanks for the interesting piece.
I was so deeply moved by the Dhamma Brothers film that I enrolled in a 10-day Vipassana meditation course. Not for the faint of heart or those without sincere intention but… truly transformative. I have found and grown with a renewed sense of peace and purpose.
One of the featured Dhamma Brothers struck me with his life story and spiritual journey from death row ( eight years) to a life of inner-peace and service at Donaldson Correctional Facility. Grady Bankhead, the Dhamma Brother who spoke to my heart, has become a friend a fellow traveller on my spiritual journey.
My husband and I have come to know the integrity and grace of a man who may never again be free. He has enriched our lives. Later this month, we will visit with him at Donaldson Correctional Facility.
In order to give Grady a “voice” in the free world, I designed a web site that presents his story and his dream of a life without bars. Your comments, suggestions and good will (Metta) are most welcome.
His site is at: http://vipassana-dhammabrother.com
Namaste,
Andre