Autism
A nun with autism wrote to Rinpoche saying she found it very hard to be around people. Her letter and his response are below.
Student: My question is that I was wondering how necessary my attending public events is for my attaining enlightenment as quickly as possible. I understand that enduring hardship is necessary for attaining enlightenment, but for someone with autism (like myself), being around people is very challenging and my emotional reactions are totally unpredictable.
Rinpoche's Response
Dear Louise,
Thank you for your kind emails.
It is completely OK for you not to attend these events. If you are able to stay alone and practice this is GREAT!!!! It would be a much bigger problem if you were not able to do practice alone; that would be difficult. But the fact that you want to be alone and practice is great. This is a renounced life, living like in retreat. An ascetic life is the best thing. It is a great quality to not want to be with people. This means you are able to stay alone and practice and not waste your life. If you are alone, this is a great thing, especially if you meditate and practice the lamrim; that is an unbelievable thing.
It is great that you are reciting the Sanghata Sutra. Please also recite the Sutra of Golden Light.
With much love and prayers...