The Buddhist on Death Row

How One Man Found Light in the Darkest Place

By: David Sheff

Narrated by: Michael Boatman

The number one New York Times best-selling author of Beautiful Boy explores the transformation of Jarvis Jay Masters, who became one of America’s most respected Buddhist practitioners during his two decades in solitary confinement in San Quentin.

Jarvis Jay Masters’ early life was a horror story whose outline we know too well. Born in Long Beach, California, his house was filled with crack, alcohol, physical abuse, and men who paid his mother for sex. He and his siblings were split up and sent to foster care when he was six, causing him to progress quickly to juvenile detention, car theft, armed robbery, and ultimately San Quentin. While in prison, he was set up for the murder of a prison guard, a crime that landed him on death row, where he’s been since 1986.

At the time of his murder trial, he was also in solitary confinement and spent 22 years in a five-foot-by-11-foot cell. This is where The Buddhist on Death Row takes off. With uncanny clarity, David Sheff describes Masters’ path to enlightenment - from being sullen and violent to discovering how easy and how hard it is to just sit and breathe, how those minutes spawn heightened perception and deepened compassion, the right way to remember one’s pain, and much more. Sheff does a brilliant job of portraying Masters’ gradual but profound transformation from a man who was once dedicated to hurting others to instead stopping brawls in the prison yard, talking prisoners out of suicide, and counseling high school kids by mail.

Along the way, Masters becomes drawn to the principles that Buddhism espouses - compassion, sacrifice, and living in the moment - and he gains the attention of prominent Buddhist practitioners, including Pema Chodron, the most popular Buddhist cleric after the Dalai Lama. And while he is still in San Quentin and still on death row, he is a renowned Buddhist thinker who shows us how to ease our everyday suffering, relish the light that surrounds us, and endure the tragedies that befall us all.

©2020 David Sheff (P)2020 Simon & Schuster Audio

Beautiful

Wonderful journey we all experience. A must read for all humans interested in freedom in all.

This story is something everyone should hear.

Amazing. Has changed my thinking of my own life and how I see myself in it.

Raw, hopeful, and heartbreaking

I hope that this book is read by more and more people, not just to advocate for the freedoms and justice of Jarvis Jay Masters, but also to model the patience, humility, and kindness we all need more of. Grateful for the authors commitment and appreciation of this special man and his journey. The audio performer was exceptional and this book was easy to get lost in.

The Budhist teachings

I loved the transformation of the protagonist, but I wanted him to be released from prison in the end .

Chronic Illness Patient, This Gave Me So Much Hope

title says it all... do grateful I came across this 🙏 highly recommend to anyone going through or living in hell

Blown away

This book was recommended to me by a client, and I’m so happy I listened! This is a truly inspiring story. I couldn’t recommend this book enough!

In awe

Jarvis’s story is another example of modern day injustices, but it’s such a beautiful way of showing perseverance and growth despite his physical limitations.

Best book I've listened to in years!

The story made me laugh and cry, feel joy and sorrow. what a beautiful experience!

Why is this innocent man still incarcerated?

Excellent book! SO many lessons here. The PIC is just one of America's many shames.

Captivating

This book was thoroughly researched and the story was told with beautiful detail and great heart. I will listen a second time. It was that good.