Venerable Thubten Chodron visited author Albert Ramos at a North Carolina prison in 2013.
Photos by: Calvin Malone, Miguel Rivero, Traci (Khadro) Thrasher, Courtesy of Sravasti Abbey

Sravasti Abbey has published a children’s book, “Gavin Discovers the Secret to Happiness,” written by prison inmate Albert Ramos.

Ramos, a Buddhist behind bars, has corresponded with abbey founder, abbess, and author Venerable Thubten Chodron for many years.

“Gavin Discovers the Secret of Happiness” is a book purportedly for children, but with universal joy and wisdom.

His book “Gavin Discovers the Secret to Happiness,” is about an energetic puppy named Gavin, who thinks happiness comes from having many cool toys and chasing cats. Gavin learns about love, compassion, and what brings true joy, through his friendship with Bodhi, a wise and older dog who has cancer.

Colorful illustrations by volunteer Miguel Rivero bring scenes from the story to life. Venerable Chodron, who has authored or edited 45 publications to date, edited the children’s story.

Ramos’ book is the second abbey publication associated with writers in prison. The first, “Unlocking Your Potential,” co-authored by Venerable Chodron and Calvin Malone, came out in 2019. These publications arise from a natural confluence of two significant Sravasti Abbey programs: prison dharma outreach and publishing.

Albert Ramos, author of “Gavin Discovers the Secret of Happiness.”

Venerable Chodron was already active in prison work when in 2003 she founded the Buddhist monastery in eastern Washington. Under her guidance, the monastery has developed an extensive prison program.

The abbey began its publication arm in 2011 when it re-issued a sixth edition of “Pearl of Wisdom: Buddhist Prayers and Practices, Book I,” compiled by Venerable Chodron. More than a dozen self-published titles have followed, including six booklets pertaining to the precepts, training, and rites of ordained monastics. Ramos’ delightful story is the first book for children.

The title “Gavin Discovers the Secret to Happiness” aptly describes the newest book’s message.

Gavin’s nemesis, the rich dog with lots of toys.

“I hope that reading the book helps people to be happy and content in any situation,” Ramos wrote. “Children and parents don’t have to be wealthy in order to be satisfied. True happiness comes from within and from spending quality time with others. It feels good to have spontaneous compassion.”

Sentenced to life in prison in North Carolina, Ramos writes from his experience of how Buddhist practice has transformed his worldview.

“The dharma has helped me to transition from being a sad and angry person to a happy, compassionate, empathy-filled, and outgoing person,” he wrote. “Despite being in prison, my heart and mind are liberated from depression and hostility. Dharma has given me peace, balance, and rationality.”

The Gavin story reflects Ramos’ personal values.

Gavin meets Bodhi, a wiser and older dog who teaches Gavin to open his mind and heart.

“I like to welcome new people because even though we seldom admit it, it can be scary when moving to a new prison where we don’t know anyone,” he said. “There are not many Buddhist practitioners in North Carolina’s prisons. However, everyone has the buddha nature. I like to view everyone as fully capable of buddhahood. My dharma practice involves sharing kindness with everyone.”

Unlocking Your Potential

Kindness has also been a motivating force for Buddhist inmate Calvin Malone. He first described his Buddhist experiences in “Razor Wire Dharma,” published by Wisdom Publications in 2008. His collaboration with Venerable Chodron in “Unlocking Your Potential: How to Get Out of Your Own Way” developed through their long-term correspondence, while Malone was incarcerated in Washington State prisons.

When she visits Buddhist groups in prison, Venerable Chodron shares meditations and discussion points she teaches worldwide. After experiencing these teachings, Malone worked with Ven. Chodron to incorporate them into a booklet to help inmates better understand their behaviors and how to inwardly free themselves.

The resulting book contains teachings on inner sources of happiness, and how to work with mental afflictions. Anecdotes from Malone’s friends in prison illustrate the key points.

Calvin Malone, co-author of “Unlocking Your Potential: How to Get Out of Your Own Way.”

“Unlocking Your Potential” is a workbook individuals or groups can use to get out of their own way and to unlock their potential.  A Taiwanese educational foundation, Corporate Body of the Buddha, has sponsored publication of 5,000 copies for free distribution to people in prisons.

Prison Outreach

Ramos and Malone both appreciate Sravasti Abbey’s prison outreach program. In addition to personal correspondence with inmates, the abbey sends dharma books, DVDs of teachings, prayer beads and a quarterly prison dharma newsletter, reaching over 1,000 people in U.S. prisons each year.

These days most of the prison correspondence is handled by abbey residents, although Venerable Chodron continues to guide her long-time students.

 “I first wrote to her within days of my conviction and shared about my ordeal,” Ramos wrote. “She became a guide, dharma friend, mother figure, and encourager to me.”

“I used to struggle with anger, violent thoughts, and suicidal ideation,” Ramos continued. “Her insight, wisdom, patience, and empathy have helped in the transition of my thoughts, intentions, and mindstream. Through her letters, and books that Sravasti Abbey gave to me, I’ve become almost as happy as Gavin, the puppy in my book!”

“Unlocking Your Potential: How to Get Out of Your Own Way,” is a workbook individuals or groups can use to find inner freedom.

Ramos regularly participates in Sravasti Abbey’s annual winter Retreat from Afar. While abbey monastics engage in a three-month silent deity retreat, people at home, including people in prison, can join in by doing at least one daily session of the same practice. Several hundred meditators, including 200 to 300 inmates, participate each year.

“It feels amazing to know that I am part of a dharma community—a real sangha!” Ramos wrote. “It means I have to be dedicated with time and effort, and the further I go along in the retreat, the calmer and more inclusive I become.”

Calvin Malone also participated in many Retreats from Afar during his time in prison. He is now released, after serving 27 years of prison time.

“For over 20 years Ven. Chodron and the teachers and nuns at the abbey visited various prisons to conduct retreats, display relics, or to bring in special guests from Tibet and around the country. They provided books and encouraged everyone to practice loving kindness while gently encouraging each practitioner to examine past harmful behaviors by offering teachings as tools to facilitate change,” he wrote.  “I know that the teachings and dedication I witnessed from people like Ven. Chodron and all those affiliated with Sravasti Abbey made a difference in my life, and motivated me to do my best not to be the source of suffering.”

George O. Mitchell (left), Malone (center), and Rickey Calhoun guided  the project to build a meditation pagoda at McNeil Island civil commitment center.

In return, the abbey nuns and monk are continually inspired by the kindness, generosity, and dedicated practice of their dharma friends in prison.

“Gavin Discovers the Secret to Happiness” is available on Amazon. Request hard copies of “Unlocking Your Potential” by writing Sravasti Abbey directly.

Go here to learn more about the many books by Venerable Thubten Chodron, including the series she is co-writing with His Holiness the Dalai Lama, a multi-volume collection entitled “The Library of Wisdom and Compassion.” Practitioners are welcome to join the 2022 Retreat from Afar on the Medicine Buddha.