You should recite the Twenty-one Tara prayers 60,000 times. Your motivation should not only be to be released from prison but to reach enlightenment quickly. That should be your motivation.

Rinpoche gave the following advice to a prisoner, who was newly Buddhist, who had just been given his date of execution for three months’ time. Rinpoche gave this advice over the course of five days.

Rinpoche recommended the following practices for a prisoner who was on death row, in order to remove obstacles to his life and prevent his upcoming execution.

A retreat place is not for gaining power, like black magic, it’s not for a honeymoon or holiday. Also, it is not a place to be spaced out. The whole purpose is to subdue the mind and to actualize the lamrim, up to enlightenment.

My most dear, precious, kindest, wish-fulfilling one,Thank you very much billions of times for your kind letter; it made me very happy, expressing your heart and practice. Of course I will accept, even though I am not qualified.

Rinpoche advised a student to read and study the lamrim well, especially the outlines on guru devotion.

Dear Sarah,___ Rinpoche would be very good to teach or to do discussion with Tibetan people in public.

Student: Can one keep a dog in retreat?Rinpoche: It just depends on the situation. When you do deity retreat, then I think cats and dogs are not allowed because maybe pollutions, spirits, or things like that will interfere.

Rinpoche made the following comments in answer to a question on how to deal with the appearance of the guru scolding you or being displeased.

My very dear Julia,I first need to say something about a student who is depressed, feeling that she is losing her connection with her guru (me), and also feeling self-pity, feeling “I am bad.”