In the future after the HH Dalai Lama haspassed away, there is only one direction the Dorje Shugden practice/lineage/practitioners can go. That is up.
Whatever the Dalai Lama has said and done 'against' Shugden is only temporary. He has made Shugden famous. He continues to do so by keeping the ban in place. All the superficial practitioners have dropped off. But the hardcore ones are strong and remain steadfast. Many young Tulkus and Geshes are in the making. Even the supreme tulkus such as Trijang, Pabongka, etc are laying low for now and HAVE NOT RENOUNCED DORJE SHUGDEN. THAT IS A FACT THEY HAVE NOT RENOUNCED. Under the huge pressure of the ban, they have not forsaken the practice of Dorje Shugden. They are old enough where they can think for themselves and not be 'forced' to practice by their old attendants. Yet they choose to practice. You do not see Trijang Rinpoche nor Pabongka Rinpoche attending any events by the Dalai Lama. Their lack of attendance leaves a huge vacuum. Everyone within the Gelug systems knows it and so do they as well as the Dalai Lama. How many more Tulkus, Geshes and people have quietly opted out of any involvement with the Dalai Lama. They choose to be quiet not because they are cowards, but perhaps they choose to quietly spread the practice in preparation for the time where they can come out in the open with it. Some come out in the open, some wait. Everyone has their tactics and their own methods. Everyone has the right to choose their methods irrelevant of what anyone may think. Not joining in Dalai Lama's activities and quietly practicing shows their great courage and skillful means.
You do not see Trijang Rinpoche, Pabongka Rinpoche, Yongyal Rinpoche, Gonsar Rinpoche, etc etc going around protesting against the Dalai Lama with placards. That does not mean they are cowards or they are afraid. It means they are just waiting. That is their right. No one should criticize them for their methods. They and many lamas shoulder the responsibility of bringing dharma to so many during this age of materialism. Their courage does not need to be shown or manifest in the form of protests or open statements about their practice. Everyone has their reasoning and path to tread.
So many Tulkus, Geshes and people are practicing Dorje Shugden quietly. So many continue to not protest or 'fight' against the Dalai Lama. They know it is a matter of time before the ban becomes ineffective and ignored.
There will be no one of consequence or lasting effect to defend the ban later. Buddhism will take root in democratic countries and all will practice according to their democratic choice. In the future if one centre forbids/disparages other centres for practicing, they can be presented a law suit for debasement or something similar. To discourage others from one centre or group because of Dorje Shugden will infringe upon democratic laws that protect the freedom of worship. It would be a serious matter to cross the line. In the future, no one can stop Dorje Shugden's practice because they are protected by the law.
Any lamas who come into prominence will never have the same speaking power as the Dalai Lama once did, if they should speak out of line, it would not serve their purpose in the long run. They would be seen as sectarian, biased or self serving.
Everyone should be patient for a little while longer. Within our lifetime Shugden will take root all over the world. After we are gone, it will continue to grow and expand. We should be adamant about our participation in Shugden's growth. We will keep up our practice and dissemination of information on Shugden. Instead of just protests which may be good for some, we must disseminate information on Shugden's history, background, nature, benefits and practice. Through logic and patience Shugden's practice will prevail.
TK
