The Buddhist on Death Row: How One Man Found Light in the Darkest Place Hardcover – August 4, 2020
by David Sheff (Author)
4.6 out of 5 stars 267 ratings
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272 pages
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“This book shows vividly how, even in the face of the greatest adversity, compassion and a warm-hearted concern for others bring peace and inner strength.” —His Holiness the Dalai Lama
“An inspiring book about how meaning can be found even in—perhaps especially in—adversity. It’s a study of Buddhism, of criminal justice, of the ways people connect with each other, and it’s written with deep feeling and verve.”—Andrew Solomon, Author of New York Times Bestseller Far From the Tree
“This profound, gorgeous book displays the miraculous human capacity to find redemption, and even joy, no matter who or where we are. Jarvis Masters’ story proves that we are all united by our suffering and by our potential to help others who suffer.”—Sr. Helen Prejean, author of Dead Man Walking
“I’m a friend of Jarvis Masters, so I know the truth of this book, but I want to hail its power. I believe it will encourage many people to examine their own lives and their unrealized potential for awareness, generosity, commitment, and courage.” —Rebecca Solnit, author of Men Explain Things to Me
"This is a beautiful, profoundly spiritual book, and a page-turner. Jarvis Jay Masters’ transformation from an unloved child of violence and poverty to Buddhist teacher on Death Row, is thrilling. Reading it changed me, threw the lights on, opened and gentled my heart. I’m going to give it to everyone I know". —Anne Lamott, New York Times bestselling author of Almost Everything
“This book celebrates a liberation not gained by guns and gangs, prison breaks and murder, but by sitting with one’s breath and believing in the perfection of the universe and all who strive and suffer within it. The Buddhist on Death Row is a deeply useful reminder that we can all be free regardless of where we are placed.” —Alice Walker, author of The Color Purple
"An indelible portrait of an incarcerated man finding new life and purpose behind bars." —Kirkus Reviews
“Stirring…Sheff asks readers to consider how one’s perspective can turn a situation of “sadness, pain, and regret” into “light and joy and love.” This Buddhist Dead Man Walking will pull at the heartstrings of any reader.”—Publishers Weekly (starred)
"Fascinating, uncommonly uplifting" —San Francisco Chronicle
About the Author
David Sheff is the author of multiple books including the #1 New York Times bestselling memoir Beautiful Boy, which was recently turned into a movie starring Steve Carell and Timothée Chalamet. His work has appeared in The New York Times, Outside, Rolling Stone, Wired, Fortune, and elsewhere. His piece for The New York Times, “My Addicted Son,” received an award from the American Psychological Association for Outstanding Contribution to Advancing the Understanding of Addictions.
Product details
Publisher : Simon & Schuster (August 4, 2020)
Language : English
Hardcover : 272 pages
ISBN-10 : 1982128453
ISBN-13 : 978-1982128456
Item Weight : 12.8 ounces
Dimensions : 5.5 x 0.8 x 8.38 inches
Best Sellers Rank: #69,954 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
#83 in Zen Spirituality
#313 in Crime & Criminal Biographies
#965 in Meditation (Books)
Customer Reviews: 4.6 out of 5 stars 267 ratings
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Biography
DAVID SHEFF's books include Game Over, China Dawn, and All We Are Saying. His many articles and interviews have appeared in the New York Times, Rolling Stone, Playboy, Wired, Fortune, and elsewhere. His piece for the New York Times Magazine, My Addicted Son, won an award from the American Psychological Association for Outstanding Contribution to Advancing the Understanding of Addiction. It led to his #1 New York Times Best Seller, Beautiful Boy, which was named the best nonfiction book of 2008 by Entertainment Weekly. Beautiful Boy was also an Amazon Best Book of 2008. Sheff and his family live in Inverness, California.
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death row san quentin david sheff jarvis jay jay masters behind bars solitary confinement jarvis jay masters highly recommended sentenced to death african american long beach beach california born in long row in san quentin prison still on death true story author david prison guard
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Sebtown reader
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Read
Reviewed in the United States on October 14, 2020
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The Buddhist on Death Row is both an informative and inspiring book. Author David Sheff tells the story of Jarvis Masters, an African American man who was convicted of car theft and armed robbery. As a consequence, he was imprisoned at San Quentin when he was 19 years old. Some years into his incarceration he was allegedly set up in the murder of a correctional officer.
There are a couple of ways in which this book is informative. First, it gives the reader insights into the criminal justice system and the way felons are treated. The book is a clear window into the murky and slimy way that much of society views these convicts, especially those on Death Row. I understand that these people have been convicted of crimes but it is tragic to read about the conditions under which they are held (at least at San Quentin). They are human beings but I’m not sure that that is obvious from some of the descriptions of the facility and treatment.
The book also informs the reader about the Buddhist tradition. Mr. Masters had been in San Quentin about ten years when a member of his legal team began talking to him about Buddhism. She had become a confidante to him and saw his increasing despair. She encouraged him to try meditation but he was initially dismissive. He couldn’t imagine how meditation could change him or his situation. However, in his darkest moment, he must have felt that he had nothing left to lose and he tried it our. Those early moments in meditation led him to a more focused study of Buddhism. David Sheff deftly shows the transformative effects that Buddhism had and continues to have on Mr. Masters.
I am acquainted with Buddhism and have read fiction and non fiction that details Buddhist practices and beliefs yet this book was instructive for me. It provided concrete examples of Buddhism in action. I appreciated the explanations of some of the tenets and philosophies of this tradition. Mr Sheff introduced me to some of Jarvis’s teachers. One of his strongest teachers is Pema Chödrön. I am well acquainted with her books and enjoyed reading about how she was able to influence and teach Jarvis.
I said the book was inspiring? Is it though? I had to think about that a bit before moving forward. It is certainly a story of endurance, strength, and an amazing capacity for resilience. From the perspective of someone who doesn’t practice Buddhism, it was heartening to read about how an individual creates a life that is of value and worth in a place that seems like it is determined to make that person worthless. Mr. Masters didn’t come to prison at age 19 as a child of relative wealth and privilege. Born in Long Beach, California, his early life was filled with crack, alcohol, violence, and men who paid his mother for sex. He was sent to foster care when he was five, and later landed in juvie. It was a short hop from there to San Quentin. The fact that he could endure so much and yet make (and continue to make) such a valuable contribution to the community is remarkable.
If I were a Buddhist practitioner, I think it would be encouraging to see the ways Jarvis used the Buddhist belief system to support and sustain his life in prison. It’s very clear throughout the book that Buddhism isn’t a straight shot. One doesn’t just buy this outlook on living and then, voilá, all of life is perfect. No. David Sheff shows that a Buddhist follower must accept that their practice will have ups and downs. You move forward and you fall back. You learn and you re-learn. It’s like life. This was an important insight for me because I was sort of stuck on the idea that Buddhists had this window on something special, something that constantly elevated them. Jarvis’s dedication was tested on more than one occasion and I imagine that would be useful material for an aspiring Buddhist.
This is a five star book. It gives an inside look at the criminal justice system and life at San Quentin. It also give the reader a look at contemporary Buddhist practices and shows Buddhism in action. Buddhism transformed Jarvis Masters into a compassionate and loving human being. That offers hope. The book does make me want to study Buddhism more. It also makes me want to work more to humanize the criminal justice system in this country. Thank you to Jarvis Masters for allowing his story to be told and to David Sheff for a masterful delivery of the story.
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Betsy Ashton
5.0 out of 5 stars Profound read in these dark times
Reviewed in the United States on October 18, 2020
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Sheff has written a book for our times, one where compassion outlasts rage, where forgiveness wins over grudges. He writes about Jarvis Masters, a convict on death row as California's San Quentin prison outside of San Francisco.
Sentenced when he was little more than a teenager, Masters appears on the page as a man filled with rage against the system. He fights, gets into trouble with the correction officers, and ends up in solitary confinement more times than not. Introduced to Buddhism, he rejects it as not important in his life. However, he reads more pamphlets and books. Eventually, he writes to a lama about his questions.
Over thirty years, Masters learns to embrace the Buddhist path. He finds his karma on death row. He helps other inmates come to grips with their sentences.
Profound. Beautiful. Inspiring.
Highly recommended to anyone who wants to see beyond the current darkness and seek a more positive outlook on life.
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2 people found this helpful
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Susan Mitchell
5.0 out of 5 stars Powerful on all levels!
Reviewed in the United States on August 14, 2020
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This is, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful examples of the power of the human Spirit that I've read in years! Stunning, touching, uplifting, heartbreaking, amazing ... a beautiful lesson in Buddhism. I was enthralled.
4 people found this helpful
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C. A. Card
5.0 out of 5 stars Heart breaking heart mending inspirational
Reviewed in the United States on February 20, 2021
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This story of one man’s suffering and his transcendence of same offers us a way to live our lives for the benefit of all while also offering a glimpse of our brutal penal system, one place where our lesser selves tend to weave into its structure to our mutual destruction. May this book lead us to less suffering personally and societally. May Jarvis find outer freedom as well as the inner freedom he has lived.
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go to girl
5.0 out of 5 stars Life changing perspective
Reviewed in the United States on October 20, 2020
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As a Christian I was hesitant to read this but quickly realized the value of such knowledge such human grace and the triumph of our fully connected, shared human experience over the desolation of loneliness. I’ve read thousands of books and this makes the top 20. Read it and reach out to someone else encouraging them to read it, and so on... PEACE
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Martin
5.0 out of 5 stars A light in the darkness
Reviewed in the United States on August 9, 2020
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This wonderful book brought tears and awe. Reading this book also has inspired me to seek ways to change the racism in our court system and to work for prison reform.
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Colleen Loehr, M.D.
5.0 out of 5 stars Astonishing true story told with consummate skill
Reviewed in the United States on September 16, 2020
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One of the best books I've ever read. I couldn't put it down - the true story is stunning and the writing is precise and luminous. I marked many passages as I read. I cried and laughed several times as I read. Eye opening. Highly recommended!
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Gloria Lopez
5.0 out of 5 stars Good
Reviewed in the United States on August 15, 2020
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Good good good good book.liked it a lot. Good reading. Kudos. Why can't I just give five stars and submit
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