How odd it is that the Dalai Lama would not want to even meet Ganchen Rinpoche and denounces him is public. Even politicians manage to be a little more courteous with each other on the public level. This situation will reflect badly on Buddhadharma.
I just read another article in this forum on Ganchen Rinpoche (Very soothing and beautiful amidst the chaos) that briefly introduces Ganchen Rinpoche and the good he has done including the centers he built, the healing he conducted all over the world and the great work of spreading the Dharma and bringing it to the international spotlight in a respectful manner.
How wonderful!
I love Gangchen Rinpoche! i had the good fortune and merit to meet him a few years ago, even before I really knew much about this whole DS controversy. A friend pointed out to me his DS statue and spoke in a whisper. I wondered what all the fuss was about because to me, if a Lama was this kind and full of joy and peace, then none of his practices could be bad.
What I observed throughout the time i spent with him was that while DS was important (and he has a very beautiful DS chapel in his centre in Italy!), it was not the be all and end all of his Dharma work and practice. I saw, for those few days, what healing really meant (as he is after all, renown as a healing Lama): bringing peace to others and encouraging healing on all levels, mentally, physically, in our relationships with each other and the environment, developing peace and harmony. I remember thinking at the time that I didn't get why anyone would want to "get him" so much and have such hateful negative views of him when every word and action he did was a peaceful one. I remember thinking that, you know what, even if he worshipped the devil or demented wood fairies, it's okay, because whatever worship and practice he's doing has made him such a great being who is so capable of loving, caring and teaching all the time.
That was one of my first introductions to Dorje Shugden and it was a fabulous experience from the word go. This is why I have been banging on so much about recently on this forum about sharing experiences with DS lamas because to me, they represent the real essence of Dorje Shugden. I think the real "protest" against this ban is in showing how extremely great and unrivalled DS - and his practitioners - are. Kill the opposition with kindness, yeah!