“I've worked in the prison system, on death row and maximum security. I did that work for six years. I've worked with some of the most difficult people in our society. Buddhism was accessible and helpful for these individuals.” PeopleYearsIndividualDifficultSecurityBuddhismSixPrisonOur SocietyHelpfulMaximumDeath RowPrison System Author:Joan Halifax
“[I'm inspired by ] courageous young people who take a stand and go into the field to serve; really old people who see that every minute of life is to be lived fully and compassionately; and so many between this world and that world.” PeopleWorldYoungLife IsMinutesFieldsThis WorldInspiredCourageousOld People Author:Joan Halifax
“Kaz came to Switzerland where I was teaching to share with me [Heart Sutra] wondrous insight. There he and I worked on this new translation - with my part being to help render it into a verse form that would be good to chant. Since I have worked with many dying people over the years and often share the Heart Sutra with them, I found this new version that we created together to be so much more accessible to those who were facing death.” PeopleYearsHeartHelpingWould BeTogetherFormFoundShareTeachingDyingInsightBe GoodVersionsVersesTranslationsWondrousSwitzerlandFacing Death Author:Joan Halifax
“I remember having a discussion with [Kaz] about his translation of the word shunyata as "boundlessness," instead of the more traditional "emptiness." I said: "Kaz, everyone is used to the word emptiness for shunyata. This might not sit well with people. He said: "Translator's prerogative!" Then he added, "One cannot assume we know what they meant...." I agreed.” PeopleKnowsWellsSaidMightRememberUsedAssumingTraditionalDiscussionEmptinessTranslationsPrerogativeTranslators Author:Joan Halifax
