Dear Shirley Tam,
I hope this letter finds you well.
It’s
doubtful you would remember me, but we met briefly when you and
Master Zhong came to Centinela Facility C to lead a teaching service
on October 10, 2010. One of the points Master Zhong spoke about was
that those of us present should be seeds in spreading the Dharma when
we are transferred to other facilities or institutions. I have since
been transferred and am now being held at the Kern Valley State Prison
on Facility B.
I
have only recently arrived here, but to my understanding, Buddhist
services are not held nor been established on this facility. I would
like to change that and have begun the process to the extent that I am
able (Such as request to the Chaplain.)
As
with Centinela, the process would be greatly assisted by outside
volunteers. I assume it is similar to Centinela’s – contacting this
institution’s community partnership Manager in approving volunteers. Any
assistance in this area would be appreciated.
This
is a more secure facility than Centinela, and so there may be more
restrictions. At the least, though, I am hoping to find mentoring by
correspondence, or just a pen-pal that I can discuss the practice with.
Beyond
our one meeting and a few conversations with Norris Haynes (inmate at
Centinela), I know very little of your organization and I look
forward to changing that.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I hope you are having a wonderful day.
Cordially,
Alex Valentine
