On March 19, 2026, Tzu Chi volunteers Christine Fisk (楊大蓉), I-Hwa Kuo (郭伊樺), and Audrey Cheng (鄭茹菁) arrived at the Clark County Detention Center in Nevada for their monthly religious education program. Since 2014, this "Dharma in Prison" initiative has used Jing Si Aphorisms—short, pithy wisdom by Dharma Master Cheng Yen—alongside English-language Tzu Chi publications to offer a path of reflection for those behind bars.
Wisdom shared across faiths
Before the session began, the volunteers visited Chaplain Russell Donaldson. Yang presented him with a "Red Packet of Blessings and Wisdom," a Tzu Chi tradition, while the Chaplain, honoring Chinese custom, reciprocated with "Year of the Horse" red envelopes for the volunteers.
The Chaplain shared a story of how these teachings transcend the prison walls. In December 2024, a colleague of his underwent a double mastectomy due to breast cancer. Before she went on leave, Donaldson gave her a copy of Jing Si Aphorisms.
"The moment she returned to work, she came straight to my office," the Chaplain noted. "She told me how much she loved the book and that she had been reading it every single day during her recovery."
LEFT: Volunteers Christine Fisk (left), I-Hwa Kuo (center), and Audrey Cheng (right) pose in front of the Clark County Detention Center. RIGHT: The three volunteers visit Chaplain Russell Donaldson before the start of class. | Photos: Audrey Cheng
Humor and new perspectives
In the first session at the South Tower, a tall, bearded inmate named Robert (alias) entered with a cynical air, swinging his legs restlessly. He joked about being confused by the date on the application, but his mood shifted when the discussion turned to international relief. Robert recognized the name Tzu Chi from a friend’s wife in the Philippines, who had mentioned the organization’s efforts after Typhoon Haiyan.
Robert, who described himself as a carefree street performer in Henderson, shared a verse from the aphorisms: "Nothing is difficult if we take action; no road is too long if we start walking." The words seemed to strike a chord. Having lived without a permanent job or residence, he reflected on the message. As he prepares for his release in two weeks, he promised to attend a Tzu Chi dental outreach in April to begin mending his health and his life.
In the same group, Alex (alias), a soft-spoken man from Michigan dealing with chronic health issues, found resonance in a different teaching: "Do not strive for a 'moment of anger,' but rather for 'a lifetime of ambition.'" Despite his physical pain, Alex expressed a desire to fill his mind with positive knowledge and clear out the negative.
Meanwhile, Chris, who is currently representing himself in court because he cannot afford a lawyer, has become a source of legal advice for other inmates. He also frequently studies Tzu Chi literature.
Instead of arguing over what the truth is, it is better to let go of the heart that compares. I will no longer compare myself to others; from now on, I only hope that I am better today than I was yesterday.— Chris, Resident
LEFT: Chaplain Russell Donaldson follows Chinese etiquette by giving "Year of the Horse" red envelopes to Christine Fisk (left) and I-Hwa Kuo (center). | Photo: Audrey Cheng RIGHT: The Chaplain presents a red envelope to volunteer Audrey Cheng. | Photo: Katherine Yang
Lighting the inner lamp
The second session took place in the North Tower with female residents. Taylor (alias), recognizable by her bright red hair, brought a copy of the book Beacon in the Dark. She had specifically requested it from the Chaplain.
"This book is my favorite," Taylor said, asking the authors, Cheng and Yang, to sign it. She excitedly showed the illustrations to her peers. Another resident, Angela, immediately asked how she could get her own copy.
The women discussed the concept of inner light. Malvina (alias), an inmate curious about community service, asked how Tzu Chi could respond so quickly to disasters like the California wildfires. The volunteers explained the "Blessing Row" (thrift stores) model, where donated household goods are collected and prepared for those who lost everything overnight.
"That’s truly turning the useless into the useful," Malvina remarked, noting how different this was from a typical garage sale. She shared an aphorism about humility: "Even if one has achieved perfect wisdom, one should be as modest and humble as an ear of rice; the fuller the grain, the lower it hangs."
Transforming suffering into peace
Moved by Alex’s struggle with illness earlier that day, Audrey Cheng shared her own recent journey. She had been absent from the prison program for a year due to three major surgeries in 2025.
"Many people ask me, 'You do so much good, why do you still suffer from illness?'" Cheng told the group. She explained that in Buddhist philosophy, "wealth" and "peace" do not mean a life without obstacles, but rather a mind that remains steady regardless of the circumstances.
She encouraged the residents to look forward rather than dwell on the past. By maintaining good thoughts and actions now, they are planting seeds for a better future. The session ended with a shared reading of a core Tzu Chi principle: "Since those who suffer cannot come to us, those of us who are blessed must go to them."
Written by Audrey Cheng (鄭茹菁)
