A student with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) wrote that his introduction to the Dharma was transformational. Rinpoche responded with extensive advice and encouragement, and later gave the student bodhisattva vows over Skype.
A woman with a daughter who had Tourette Syndrome wrote to Rinpoche asking for advice regarding practices she could do to help her daughter.
A student who had motor neuron disease wrote asking for advice.
Rinpoche received the following letter from a student with a muscular illness and Guillain-Barré Syndrome, a rare neurological disorder. Rinpoche replied with advice regarding the student's health and the benefits of making offerings. The student’s letter and Rinpoche’s two replies are below.
This advice was written down by Lama Zopa Rinpoche on an iPad, with his left hand and one finger on the third day of manifesting paralysis, April 26, 2011.
If you liberate animals, it helps you to have a long life, or you can dedicate the merit from their liberation to those who have life obstacles. In this life we are human beings, which is due to our past good karma ripening.
Animal Liberation Practice
I, Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Spiritual Director of 161 centers in 31 countries and the Buddhist Sangha from Kachoe Dechen Ling, Aptos, California, seek permission to bless the ocean off the Seacliff State Park wharf.
While I was staying in Raleigh on the way to the Light of the Path retreat, I went to the lake to give food to ducks, and to chant the Five Powerful Mantras, the Medicine Budddha mantra, OM MANI PADME HUM and the Maitreya mantra.
The insects can be gathered together and put into a container, then at the very least, recite OM MANI PADME HUM and blow on them. This mantra alone has incredible benefit.
