This is very sad, and I hope that, for the sake of his students and all living beings, Rinpoche quickly recovers and continues to teach the Dharma for those who have a karmic connection with him.
With respect, I think it would be upsetting for someone from FPMT to read what's been written here. They are clearly following the advice of their Guru, Lama Zopa Rinpoche, who says that they should not do Dorje Shugden practice in accordance with the advice of the Dalai Lama. It's very possible that such words as written here could be seen as making political capital out of a very unfortunate situation, the sickness of their dear Teacher, and if it were me, I think I would be angry with Dorje Shugden practitioners for doing this. Can you imagine how you would feel if your Lama was sick or died and some practitioners posted "oh, this happened because he practised Gyalpo Shugden against the advice of His Holiness"
I don't think that such statements are going to endear them to Shugden practitioners so I'd like to request that this thread be deleted.
Thank you.
I am appreciative of your concern that this might hurt some of the newer FPMT people. Remember a few things:
1. This is in no way political. It is spiritual. Guru samaya is of the upmost importance. There is no criticism against Lama Zopa whatseover. There is no intent to criticize Lama Zopa whatsoever. If it is read as so, it is wrong interpretation.
2. Other sites will take whatever we write in this website and twist it around as they are against Dorje Shugden. It does not matter what we write. They will marginalize us anyway irregardless. It does not matter what they say or think.
3. Dalai Lama said if his students practice Shugden, it might shorten his life. Well if your lama (Lama Yeshe) tells you to practice and you don't, wouldn't that break samaya and bring you heavy karmic consequences?
4. As usual, the other sites are here daily and reading whatever we post, and they can call this a cult or whatever they choose, it does not affect any of us. Other sites/forum goers definitely visit this site often. If what we say and write is so bad, then no need to visit us, no need to ccopy and paste our comments or even discuss what we write here on this forum/website elsewhere (phayul). What we say does have impact, therefore the visitors. In the end, we will see who is the cult. As this site harms no one but promotes Shugden's practice and creates awareness of the ban. Promoting Shugden's practice and awareness of the ban can be two seperate issues and even becoming different websites, but this site has everything, so you pick and choose what you are interested in. In the end, all of us being together and having solidarity/one voice would be more effective. After we have accomplished our goal of having the band lifted, WE CAN SEPERATE AND GO OUR MERRY WAYS and not have to do anything together again.
5. We are always saying the lamas should be brave and stand up and oppose the ban. Well not only the lamas should speak up, but we should speak up. Do you not think just by abandoning one's practices given by your root lama at the insistence of the Dalai Lama will not bring consequences? I am speaking up. I am saying we should not give up our own samaya with our own guru. And if we do, then there should be karmic consequences by the law of cause and effect. If there are none, then why don't we all just give up our Shugden practice. Whether it is wrong or right, just give it up because the Dalai Lama said so. Well FPMT gave it up because the Dalai Lama said so, are there no karmic consequences? Should we speak up and let FPMT know by giving up one of the heart practices of Lama Yeshe, they have severely damaged their samayas. Why should the Dalai Lama be able to override Lama Yeshe. If he can override Lama Yeshe, then he can override all the our teachers. If that is the case, we should all give up Shugden? Why is Lama Zopa sick when he is such an accomplished practitioner? The samaya of FPMT with Lama Yeshe is broken and it falls onto Lama Zopa's compassionate body.
If the rest of us just give up our practices given by our teachers, does that not equal some lost of faith or breakage of samaya with our teachers? If it does, it should have karmic consequences? Wouldn't the karma bring you negative consequences for breaking your word?
6. I am not happy Lama Zopa is ill. Our team at this website have made offerings and prayers for his recovery. We very much wish Lama Zopa to be well, but we also realize there is a cause for the current illness. FPMT should realize. If they can realize, then many things would be different for worldwide Shugden practice. FPMT will have impact in what they do on the rest of us one way or another. I am hoping against hope for a positive impact that they will realize their teacher's life/work is at stake, ask Shugden for help again. We want Lama Zopa ok and Shugden is the right one to help. Why does a high lama need a so called Kandro from Dharamsala to help. It looks odd and inappropriate to a high lama like Lama Zopa.I have nothing against the Kandro, but Shugden is the old and powerful friend FPMT started with. So continue again.
7. Certain Christian followers will call Tibetan Buddhists all devil worshippers and Dalai Lama is the anti-christ and his lama followers are his minions. So what? Shugden practitioners have been hurt, ostracized, demonized and damaged terribly. We must speak up. We must make our thoughts known through this website against the ban.
The best way is to create awareness of Shugden in order for the ban to be lifted or inactive in the near future. Education/information is the best way for the ban to fade faster. This website is set up precisely for that purpose.
8. What I write here is in my capacity as a single person, it does not represent everyone in the website team. I am a moderator, but I have my own thoughts also. I wish to make this clear, it is my thoughts alone regarding Lama Zopa's unfortunate illness. I wish him to heal quickly.
I again, mean no one offense to Lama Zopa/FPMT or anyone else. But I do feel strongly in the samaya breakage issue. I do appreciate Lineageholder's request. I can see Lineageholder in this post is very genuine and I thank Lineageholder. I will consider removing my post but for the time being keep this thread live/active.
Mana