Has the Gelug lineage lost its effectiveness?

[Mana]

Dear friends,

This article is so relevant and it really mirrors the truth of the situation at this point. What are your thoughts about this? Has the Gelug Lineage lost it's effectiveness?

Mana

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Has the Gelug lineage lost its effectiveness?

There isn’t a Tibetan Buddhist in the world who hasn’t heard of the recent controversies surrounding the practice of the Protector Deity Dorje Shugden. Since the Dalai Lama banned the practice, it has been the most talked about issue within the Buddhist world.
 
The Dalai Lama and his supporters claim that Dorje Shugden is an evil spirit and praying to him is equal to praying to a spirit, which destroys the basis of our most basic Buddhist refuge vows and commitments, and creates heavy, negative karma. They claim that the worship of Dorje Shugden will result in practitioners’ eventual misfortunes, shortening of the Dalai Lama’s life and the failure of the cause for Tibetan independence.
 
If this is REALLY the case, then we would like to point out the very serious consequences that this has for the future of Buddhist practice, especially within the Gelug school:
 
The Consequences for Tantra in the Gelugpa school
 
1) We are told that anyone who practices Dorje Shugden has lost their refuge. If they have lost their refuge, this means they have also lost their basis of all three sets of vows: Pratimoksha, Bodhisattva and Tantra. If they have lost the basis of all their vows and samaya, then all their practices will degenerate and bring no result. These practices include all their sadhanas, Tsog, tantric meditations, pujas, rituals and divinations. It means that the people who practice Dorje Shugden have broken everything that is sacred and pure. Therefore, they cannot be considered Buddhists anymore, let alone accomplish their practices, and they have sealed their fate in the three lower realms for an immeasurable amount of time.
 
2) Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche, Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche, the Panchen Lamas and thousands of other elite Buddhist masters such as Kyabje Ling Rinpoche have practiced Dorje Shugden or at least respected him very much. If we follow the same line of thought, it means these lamas have also broken their refuge, have not practiced correctly and are therefore not correct objects of refuge for us anymore; we cannot consider them as qualified lineage teachers or rely on them. Nor can we accept, receive or practice with confidence any of the tantric lineages they have passed to us. As such, all tantric lineages become null and ineffective.
 
Within the tantras of the Gelug school, lamas such as Pabongka Rinpoche and Trijang Rinpoche are a part of the lineage lamas we recite supplication prayers to daily. For example, in the 13-Deity and Solitary Yamantaka sadhanas, there are 40 lamas whose names we recite and request for their blessings. It is important that we recite these supplications to our root and lineage lamas to absorb their blessings into our practice.
 
All the sadhanas of Vajrayogini, Heruka, Yamantaka and Guhyasamaja that are taught and practiced within the Gelug school today all include Pabongka Rinpoche and Trijang Rinpoche within the prayers to the lineage lamas. How is this possible if they have all broken their refuge and are now in the 3 lower realms? How can we be taking refuge and requesting blessings from beings that are not correct objects of refuge? In fact, the Short Solitary-Yamantaka sadhana and the 6-Session Guru Yoga were composed by Pabongka Rinpoche – this is recited by every Gelug tantric initiate daily. The only currently used long and short Vajrayogini sadhana within the Gelugpa school, and the commentaries on Vajrayogini and Yamantaka were also composed by Pabongka Rinpoche. That would mean every high Gelugpa lama and learned Geshe have been stripped of all their attainments.
 
His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama has received the bulk of his tantric practices from these very root and lineage lamas, and is now initiating thousands of people into these same practices. For example, the practice of Kalachakra he bestows on countless people every year comes directly from Kyabje Ling Rinpoche. Since Kyabje Ling Rinpoche respected and has written prayers to Dorje Shugden, how can he be a fit lineage lama? And therefore, how can the Kalachakra lineage of the Dalai Lama be correct and bear results if we do the practice when the source is stained?
 
We are led to understand that all Gelug sadhanas today are therefore nullified and empty of blessings, and we should stop them immediately. After all, it cannot be that the lineage lamas broke their refuge only in one aspect but remained pure in all their other practices. Once you have broken your refuge, which is the basis of all other vows and commitments, it applies to one’s entire practice. It is thus logical for us to say that NOBODY alive in the Gelugpa lineage today, including the Dalai Lama, has attainments or a potent lineage because they have all obtained their teachings and practices from a broken, tainted lineage of teachers.
 
3) H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama himself has said that he does the Yamantaka, Guhyasamaya and Heruka sadhanas daily. This is according to the advice of Tsongkhapa who recommended these three sadhanas to his followers during this degenerate Kaliyuga age. Since His Holiness does the 3 Kingly Sadhanas every day, he would also be supplicating these same lamas who are apparently not worthy of our prayers and refuge anymore. This includes Pabongka Rinpoche and His Holiness’ own Gurus Trijang Rinpoche and Ling Rinpoche. This means that the Dalai Lama is also doing practices which have no correct basis or blessings, and therefore should have no attainments. Either the lineage lamas are attained and without fault, or they are ordinary beings without blessings – which one is it? 
 
In fact, it is safe to say that the whole Gelugpa tantric system is now faulted. When there is a break in the lineage of lamas, this would mean that the practices are now invalid and without lineal blessings. The practices are nullified and should be considered ineffective. Is that what we are to believe from now on? 
 
The Consequences for Sutra in the Gelugpa school
 
4) We must also consider the sutra teachings and practices: Thousands of elite, qualified and very high learned Geshes have arisen from the three pillars of learning (Gaden, Sera and Drepung Monasteries) over the last 600 years. Within that time, Dorje Shugden practice has been very strong and highly respected over the last 350 years in all three monasteries. In fact, his images, statues and thangkas are prevalent throughout these three great pillars within their prayer halls, khangtsens and private ladrangs. So over the last 350 years, thousands of qualified Geshes and monks have practiced Dorje Shugden, or received their sutra and scriptural trainings from other Geshes and high lamas who practiced Dorje Shugden. In fact, within the three pillars, the teachers and disciples who practice Dorje Shugden are so intertwined that to remove one and say that he is not qualified would cause the whole monastic system to collapse with a huge domino effect.
 
If we consider that Dorje Shugden practitioners have all broken their refuge and are no longer true Buddhists or true objects of refuge, then all these Geshes and high lamas are not qualified to teach in any way; their thousands of students over the last 350 years have been relying on unqualified sources and receiving teachings from impure teachers. Their students henceforth are therefore monks with no true basis of refuge… if they are monks at all now. In fact, Ordination vows passed on would be invalid. Therefore, it is possible that His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama and thousands of monks in the three pillars are not truly ordained Sangha. Also, since they engage in wrong “spirit” practices and are not real Buddhists, we can assume that once they pass away, they would take rebirth in the 3 lower realms.
 
Even if the current monks and Geshes have abandoned the practice of Dorje Shugden, their teachers and lineage teachers of the past did the practice and are therefore not considered true or correct Buddhists. For example, Lama Yeshe practiced Dorje Shugden all his life until he passed away and many teachings were passed from him to his close disciple Lama Zopa. Lama Zopa has given up the practice now but this still makes him unqualified as his teacher did not give up the practice. Which Gelugpa lama now, of the 21st century, has not received teachings either directly from Trijang Rinpoche himself or through his lineage? All these lamas must therefore be considered unqualified.
 
All the monks of the three pillars now are therefore continuing to receive scriptural and sutra teachings from incorrect, impure sources. Hence, there are no longer any pure, unbroken blessings or lineage in Gaden, Sera and Drepung today. If this is the case, the three monasteries should stop teaching immediately and close down completely. It would be very wrong to continue spreading broken lineages, broken samaya and teachings from unqualified teachers.
 
If we continue to uphold this illogical ban we are also invalidating 600 years of attained masters and their lineages; we are considering the three great pillars of knowledge and practice as unnecessary and void of results. As we have shown clearly, to state that the single practice of Dorje Shugden is not true to Buddhism has very far-reaching consequences. It means that everything being taught and practiced in the Gelugpa school of Buddhism today – including all personal teachings, practices and advice of the 14th Dalai Lama – are baseless, incorrect, impure and devoid of blessings. Actually, the whole Gelugpa lineage should be eliminated from the landscape of Buddhism. In this case, should we now consider that His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama and all other Gelug teachers are ill qualified?
 
If this is the debate on Dorje Shugden today, then we had better be prepared for what it really means for the entirety of our practices now and in the future. Whatever practice we choose isn’t just a simple choice. It carries far heavier consequences than what the Dalai Lama has simplified as just being a choice that is ‘up to you’.

www.dorjeshugden.com
 
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Below are some examples of prayers to Dorje Shugden (and his entourage) written by highly qualified, elite, lineage teachers:

1. Nyirtoe by Kyabje Trijang Dorje Chang
http://www.dorjeshugden.com/prayers/dorje-shugden-prayers/nyirtoe/
 
2. Offerings, Praises, Fulfillment and Requests to Dorje Shugden by Kyabje Dragri Dorje Chang
http://www.dorjeshugden.com/prayers/dorje-shugden-prayers/offerings-praises-fulfillment-and-requests-to-the-dharmapala-dorje-shugden-by-kyabje-dragri-dorje-chang/

3. Incense (sang) Offering Prayer to Dorje Shugden by Ganden Serkong Dorje Chang
http://www.dorjeshugden.com/prayers/dorje-shugden-prayers/incense-offering-prayer-to-dorje-shugden/
 
4. Praise to Dorje Shugden called Praise to the Indestructible Protector by Kyabje Dagpo Dorje Chang
http://www.dorjeshugden.com/prayers/dorje-shugden-prayers/kyabje-dagpo-dorje-chang%e2%80%99s-praise-to-dorje-shugden/
 
5. Request for Activity of Gyalchen Shugden called Universal World Peace Prayer for All by Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche
http://www.dorjeshugden.com/prayers/dorje-shugden-prayers/request-for-activity-of-gyalchen-shugden-by-kyabje-trijang-rinpoche/
 
6. Invoking Ratna Shugden on a Horse for Wealth by Zemey Rinpoche
http://www.dorjeshugden.com/prayers/dorje-shugden-prayers/request-to-ratna-shugden/
 
7. Request of Activities of Protectors by Kyabje Ling Rinpoche
http://www.dorjeshugden.com/others-old/request-of-activities-of-protectors-by-kyabje-ling-rinpoche/

8. Praise to Khache Marpo called Praise to Yaksha Khache Marpo, the Doctrine’s Watchman by the 5th Dalai Lama
http://www.dorjeshugden.com/prayers/dorje-shugden-prayers/praises-by-the-5th-dalai-lama-to-khache-marpo/
 
9. Invocation to Lord Namkar Barzin
http://www.dorjeshugden.com/prayers/dorje-shugden-prayers/invocation-to-lord-namkar-barzin/

10. Prayer to Gyelchen Dorje Shugden called Melody of the Unceasing Vajra by the 5th Dalai Lama
http://www.dorjeshugden.com/prayers/dorje-shugden-prayers/prater-by-the-fifth-dalai-lama-to-gyelchen-dorje-shugden/

11. Melody of the Unceasing Vajra by the 14th Dalai Lama
http://www.dorjeshugden.com/prayers/dorje-shugden-prayers/melody-of-the-unceasing-vajra-by-the-14th-dalai-lama/
All prayers can be viewed in full on the website DorjeShugden.com
 
 


Source: http://www.dorjeshugden.com/?p=24046

[yontenjamyang]

Mana. Thank you for this very logical analysis of the whole Gelug lineage situation. By applying the Protector Dorje Shugden ban by the 14th Dalai Lama on the basis that the protector is a spirit, really means that the Gelug lineage today has no basis. If fact then it would mean that the lineage started to degenerate 350 years ago when the protector practice started. It means that the Dalai Lama himself has no attainments, is not a qualified monk, Lama and teacher. It means all the Lamas and all Gelugpas are not buddhist at all. And we will all go to the lower realms.

This is frightening and at the same time we realise by the same logic that the whole basis of the ban; that the Protector Dorje Shugden is a spirit cannot be true. 100% not true. Why? Let us examine the facts. Starting with the Lineages Lamas since 350 years ago to Pabongka Rinpoche, Trijang Rinpoche, Ling Rinpoche, Zong Rinpoche to Lama Yeshe, Lama Zopa and Geshe Kelsang Gyatso;  all these Lamas have perfect conduct. All are devoted to the Dharma and manifest compassion of the highest degree. If these Lamas goes to the 3 lower realms then nobody else has any chance to escape. We examine any person by their actions and results. These Lamas are the Lineage masters of thousands perhaps millions of Gelugpas and exemplify the highest aspirations of Buddha's teachings. Hence, it is not possible that these Lamas has no attainments. The results are the proofs.

If these Lamas has attainments, then the Protector Dorje Shugden is NOT a spirit and is in fact a manifestation of Manjushri, the Buddha of Wisdom.

If anyone has any small percentage of doubt this should clear up all these doubts. By the same token, then the whole institution of Gelug is valid except for the ban.

[Positive Change]

This is a brilliant article. Well written and straight to the point really! The 'arguments' are very valid. How can the gelug lineage be seen as "reliable" if the issue of the ban persist? Surely it is either all these attained masters are indeed who they are or the ban is but a smokescreen for something more?

Yes this debate on the ban being something more than meets the eye persists and there are those of you who would argue the fact... but it certainly is more plausible than insinuating these great lamas are wrong or not attained.

I for one find it much easier to believe the latter than the former if you ask me and that in itself is something that I would not even fathom to debate on.

[Ensapa]

Thank you for the compelling letter. It does raise a lot of interesting points, especially about the Lineage Lamas being Dorje Shugden practitioners and how the ban would invalidate the entire lineage which is true and which makes a lot more sense than adhering to the ban itself and adhering to the perception that Dorje Shugden is an evil spirit. In fact, I have come across many people who defected from the Gelug tradition due to this issue as they have came to their own conclusion that all Gelug Lamas have been tainted by Dorje Shugden and are thus, invalid and there are no more real Lamas within the Gelug tradition. This is what many people have think and this is the direct result of the ban: people losing confidence in the Gelug tradition and abandoning it subsequently. Without a doubt, this effect is exactly what the other lineages want so that they can get more followers, but at the cost of Gelugpa. Anyway, I do find it interesting to point out that the 'tainted lama' theory, where a Lama who has lamas practicing Dorje Shugden is tainted comes from a non Gelug ideology and I have heard some of this lamas say that even mentioning the name Dorje Shugden brings bad luck....I find that ridiculous.

To adhere to the belief that Dorje Shugden is evil is to invalidate the whole of Gelug, there is no denying about that. The 5th Dalai Lama consulted Nechung to please the Nyingmas, and this ban is to please the other lineages so that they feel less insecure. That is the only thing there is to this ban.

[hope rainbow]

SABOTAGE
The argumentation is flawless and logical.
Every Gelugpa must ponder every word of this article and think it through.
There cannot be a Gelug school that is anti-Dorje Shugden, there simply cannot be, for the simple reason that it would then have no lineage, it would have sabotaged its own lineage.

[christine V]

Dear Mana,

Thanks for this very "sharp" to point and meaningful article. To me, this article is like a "brainstorming session". In Tibetian Buddhism or Vajrayana, one of the quality; which is unique from Mahayana and Theravada is about Guru Devotion. What ever the Guru thought us, must be from a lineage that able to trace from the source. And, we believe 100% on whatever the Guru have taught us
If , praying to Dorje Shugden is illegal. This mean , the Guru has been teaching us the wrong knowledge. And, they are worshiping something "evil". This mean Dalai Lama's own Guru like H.H Trijang Rinpoche is praying to a "evil" spirit. On this point, does it mean the whole Gelug lineage is "contaminated". 
If this is so, H.H Trijang Rinpoche are not to be reincarnate as "human" being again, according to Law of Karma. But, H.H Trijang Rinpoche reincarnation is a Human. Where is the logic?
Therefore, i urge those say Dorje Shugden is a "evil" spirit, kindly think deeper this time. Have more wisdom.

[samayakeeper]

Logical and well written based on historical facts.

Maybe of the reasons HHDL enforced the ban could be that HH knows to get autonomy for Tibet from China in his this very lifetime is not going to happen and HH may not wish to reincarnate as the 15th because there is no country, per se, to govern administratively and spiritually. Maybe HH plans to reincarnate in China and continue his work from there. On this basis, HH ‘enforces’ the ban so that many people outside of the Tibetan circle know of Dorje Shugden. What a great advertisement from one of the greatest marketers! HH surely knows the facts put together here by Mana before he enforces the ban and yet he puts his reputation on the line by doing so. Why? I say, benefiting hundreds of thousands, and millions is more important than HH himself. This is one of the pure acts of a bodhisattva.

[Ensapa]

Logical and well written based on historical facts.

Maybe of the reasons HHDL enforced the ban could be that HH knows to get autonomy for Tibet from China in his this very lifetime is not going to happen and HH may not wish to reincarnate as the 15th because there is no country, per se, to govern administratively and spiritually. Maybe HH plans to reincarnate in China and continue his work from there. On this basis, HH ‘enforces’ the ban so that many people outside of the Tibetan circle know of Dorje Shugden. What a great advertisement from one of the greatest marketers! HH surely knows the facts put together here by Mana before he enforces the ban and yet he puts his reputation on the line by doing so. Why? I say, benefiting hundreds of thousands, and millions is more important than HH himself. This is one of the pure acts of a bodhisattva.

Since you have mentioned it now, HH have left many hints that he does not want to lead the Tibetans any longer and that this will be the last Dalai Lama in line. I believe that the broken samaya and the negative deeds done by CTA over the centuries have led to this unfortunate conclusion. By enforcing the ban in a fanatical way, the CTA creates the causes for the Dalai Lama to separate from them and that is what the Dalai Lama wants, probably because he has more beings to benefit that is beyond the Tibetans. If the Tibetans have followed His Holiness for so long and the end result is still the same as it was 300 years ago, and there is another group of beings who can benefit more from His Holiness, the logical decision would be to go to the beings that can benefit more rather than sticking with the ones that give little or no result. but of course, the Tibetans would not accept it if His Holiness leaves them this way and they demand exclusive attention from His Holiness...so he has to find a way to make them grow up and learn.

Perhaps, one day, CTA will come to realize what they did wrong and unban all the lamas that they have banned over the span of 350 years and clean up their act and  be a real Buddhist government. There really is no other alternative but for them to wake up and take responsibility. His Holiness has done so much for them and yet they cannot/refuse to improve and it is sad.

[Mana]

Ensapa,

You express well. Thank you for contributing to the discussions. You add wisdom, candour and good thoughts.

Why do you continue to practice Dorje Shugden? What drives you on? What is the extent of your practice if I may ask?

Mana

[Ensapa]

Ensapa,

You express well. Thank you for contributing to the discussions. You add wisdom, candour and good thoughts.
Thank you for your kind words, Mana. To me, these are just an expression of what I feel about the many issues that surround the ban that i feel very strongly opposed on, but at the same time, I can see a reason for it to be there.

Why do you continue to practice Dorje Shugden? What drives you on? What is the extent of your practice if I may ask?
There are many things that drives me to continue my Dorje Shugden practice. The main reason is of course, because my Guru has taught me about Dorje Shugden. Without his blessings, I would not even start my practice because its illogical to practice a Dharma protector without the Guru's blessings and approval. I have always felt a very strong sense of justice and I get very worked up whenever I see people being oppressed. When I read about his issue online, I was apprehensive at first but it only drove me to find out more and more about him and I dug out all the articles, both pros and cons about him to make my own decision. in the end, I come to the conclusion that HHDL is not a bad or a fake and many times he sounded very half hearted about the ban, as if he was putting up a show for someone and this person is threatening HHDL with something very serious to comply. I also saw how stupid and fanatical those going against Dorje Shugden were, and I told myself never to be like them. They were giving Buddhists a very bad name by their behavior, logic and reasoning.

When I started practicing Dorje Shugden, many things happened. First of all, it is quite well known to my family that I have always been protected by an invisible entity when young and there were several times where I could have died, but something happens and intervenes and my family have been recounting those moments so I do know. I had no idea who this was until I discovered Dorje Shugden and I felt that this entity could be him as they both have a wrathful but warm and tender feeling to them. When I read his story and his sadhana, I feel a very strong sense of familiarity towards him. It was as if I could see the whole story about what happened and when I read what the anti Dorje Shugden people wrote about him, it was so untrue and how can people write in this way about things they do not know of? Is that nothing short of gossip? It really enraged me. How in what way is Dorje Shugden sectarian? What is the proof? Someone quoted his sadhana, and when i read the sadhana of other protectors, it sounded the same and it was like...why zero in on Dorje Shugden? And I wanted to talk about him but so many forums banned his talk, which I felt was not a Buddhist thing to do until I discovered this forum. I feel a certain closeness to him, as if he was a long time friend, as in me being able to understand him and his story, actions and decisions so easily and naturally, like how a close friend will understand our decisions and actions so easily.

When I started doing his practice, many wonderful things happened. I had did some things to transgress my samaya with my Guru in the past, and I requested Dorje Shugden to assist me to repair it and he did. There were many things that I thought was impossible for me to do but somehow with his help, I was able to do it such as moving out from my parents' home. I could not find a room for months, but within a week after making my request, I found a place to stay. My mind has been more focused, sharper and calmer as well and it is wiser ever since I did Dorje Shugden's practice, and many people commented that I have improved a lot since.

I dont really do Dorje Shugden's sadhana by reading out loud daily as I do lack time and it is not convenient for me to do his mantra at my workplace, but I do recite his mantra when I am alone. For me, I would visualize that I am embodying Dorje Shugden when it comes to the removal of certain obstacles in my life or for my friends because it feels empty reading the prayers and me not doing anything about it. Instead of just praying to Dorje Shugden, I would like to embody him in certain situations and when I do visualize that I am one with him and my Guru out of gag reflex (yes I do not have the initiation yet, but it comes automatically like a reflex action) somehow I can solve the problem. I do the full puja once a month, but I also do it whenever I need an extra push.

To me, writing in this forum is the least I can do to thank the kindness of Dorje Shugden for assisting me on so many aspects in my life. People must know the truth about Dorje Shugden before they decide. It is NOT FAIR for people to make biased accusations about him. They must also be aware of the implications of saying that Dorje Shugden is bad. If Dorje Shugden can help me this much, he can also assist many others as well so why cut them off from this beneficial practice?

[DS Star]

This debate has said it all... the points are indisputable...

To undermine and discredit the practice of Dorje Shugden means we discredit all the lineage masters including tutors of His Holiness the Dalai Lama himself. As such, it is rightly said that all the teachings, both tantra or sutra, and all related practices are invalid because they came from the same source i.e. the masters that practicing Dorje Shugden.

This is to say, even the initiations given by HH the Dalai Lama has no blessings from the Three Jewels, thus, not effective. If we were to accept the claims by HHDL and the CTA on the practice of DS, then the Gelug lineage will really lose its effectiveness...

Nevertheless, as witnessed and experienced first-hand by thousands if not millions of practitioners all over the world on the effectiveness of Gelug lineage's prayers n practices, especially the DS practice; this can only means one thing... HHDL and CTA are wrong in their statement about the DS practice.

The ban is definitely wrong. Case closed.

[Big Uncle]

I am flabbergasted because I am simply amazed at the anonymous writer who wrote this article. The article implies heavy consequences for those advocating and enforcing the ban on Dorje Shugden. I have heard most people talk about the nasty things (which are not true) about Dorje Shugden but few really understand the Protector’s history and lineage. 

After reading this article, I find that the spiritual authority of the Gelug tradition is undermined by the Dorje Shugden ban. The very fact that these lamas who advocated Dorje Shugden practice in the first place like Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche and Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche are the main Gelug lineage lamas of our time. That means that they are the foremost holders of the Gelug tradition and every teaching from them should be faultless. However, the ban implies that the lineage lamas themselves made a huge mistake about Dorje Shugden.

If the lineage lamas made a mistake about something as important as a Dharma Protector, then they could have made a mistake about all other important lineage teachings as well.  That’s a very dangerous path to tread because all the other practices and teachings within the Gelug tradition could have been a mistake as well because there’s no Lama within the Gelug tradition that has not directly or indirectly received teachings, lineages and so forth from these great lamas.

That means many important lineage teachings like the Lamrim and Tantric practices like Vajrayogini, Yamantaka and Heruka that descend from these great Lamas could also be wrong. Some like the Vajrayogini sadhana were composed by Pabongka Rinpoche based upon divine visions he has of her. On the other hand, the Dalai Lama continues to teach and pass these teachings down and some like the Vajrayogini Sadhana is the same sadhana that the Dalai Lama recites every single day.

At the end of the day, the ban undermines not just the spiritual authority of the lineage Lamas but the whole Gelug tradition as well. I find this a very compelling logic to dispel the basis of the Dorje Shugden ban. After reading this, I think the spiritual authority of the Gelug tradition would be in trouble if the ban continues to be enforced.

Therefore, there’s much urgency that people come to understand the gravity of the Dorje Shugden ban and how it implicates the spiritual authority of the Gelug tradition as a whole.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
 

[Ensapa]

I am flabbergasted because I am simply amazed at the anonymous writer who wrote this article. The article implies heavy consequences for those advocating and enforcing the ban on Dorje Shugden. I have heard most people talk about the nasty things (which are not true) about Dorje Shugden but few really understand the Protector’s history and lineage. 
Whomever is the author of this article is an extremely wise person and someone who have studied and read a lot, and not only that, has real, authentic and practical experience to back it up. It is not that what you have heard, it is a blatant fact that many criticize Dorje Shugden but they dont even know who Dorje Shugden really is. If that is not blatant ignorance, what is?

After reading this article, I find that the spiritual authority of the Gelug tradition is undermined by the Dorje Shugden ban. The very fact that these lamas who advocated Dorje Shugden practice in the first place like Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche and Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche are the main Gelug lineage lamas of our time. That means that they are the foremost holders of the Gelug tradition and every teaching from them should be faultless. However, the ban implies that the lineage lamas themselves made a huge mistake about Dorje Shugden.
If the Lineage Masters are wrong, then who is right? It would mean that the Gelug lineage has long gone and this idea has been expressed by some not so developed practitioners of other lineages who has been running around telling everyone that Gelug is no more, come to my temple and come to my lineage and it is still pure. This really happened in esangha and I have read not one but many messages of this nature. 

If the lineage lamas made a mistake about something as important as a Dharma Protector, then they could have made a mistake about all other important lineage teachings as well.  That’s a very dangerous path to tread because all the other practices and teachings within the Gelug tradition could have been a mistake as well because there’s no Lama within the Gelug tradition that has not directly or indirectly received teachings, lineages and so forth from these great lamas.
If the source is corrupted, then how can everything else that wells up from it not be corrupted? If everyone in Gelug is "tainted" by Dorje Shugden, which is what the other lineages are DYING to believe, and what the ban from the Dalai Lama has somehow activated, then why not close down the whole of Gelug and every other Gelug center in the world?

That means many important lineage teachings like the Lamrim and Tantric practices like Vajrayogini, Yamantaka and Heruka that descend from these great Lamas could also be wrong. Some like the Vajrayogini sadhana were composed by Pabongka Rinpoche based upon divine visions he has of her. On the other hand, the Dalai Lama continues to teach and pass these teachings down and some like the Vajrayogini Sadhana is the same sadhana that the Dalai Lama recites every single day.
I dont get this point: if you say that Pabongkha Rinpoche made a mistake with Dorje Shugden, then the prayers he wrote about Vajrayogini could have been fake as well. So why do his sadhanas while say that his Dharma protector is wrong? The Guru, Yidam and Protector are the one and the same, criticizing either one mean criticizing the other two.

At the end of the day, the ban undermines not just the spiritual authority of the lineage Lamas but the whole Gelug tradition as well. I find this a very compelling logic to dispel the basis of the Dorje Shugden ban. After reading this, I think the spiritual authority of the Gelug tradition would be in trouble if the ban continues to be enforced.
Gelug has already been clamped down due to the ban. Many Gelug centers were too frantic to denounce Dorje Shugden that they broke their samaya. This, unfortunately also applies to Ganden, Sera and Drepung. How to check? Any famous, new, anti Dorje Shugden masters that emerge from these monasteries?

Therefore, there’s much urgency that people come to understand the gravity of the Dorje Shugden ban and how it implicates the spiritual authority of the Gelug tradition as a whole.
There will always be fanatics, but at least there will also be people who will think further and think for themselves.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

I love your points, but I have added on a bit on them. This article should really be a wake up call for those who call themselves Gelug but oppose Dorje Shugden. Wake up!!

[ilikeshugden]

This letter can be somewhat controversial and radical. It may offend people in the Gelug lineage but it would make them reevaluate their thinking.

According to the ban, all Gelug lamas would have broken their root vows. The vow broken is the vow that they would not take refuge in a spirit. If Dorje Shugden was a spirit as the Dalai Lama said he is, all the Gelug monks who learned the practice or has a teacher who once did the practice has now broken their vows. That means that they would not be qualified to become a monk as they even break one of their main vows.

A lot of high lamas like Trijang Rinpoche, Pabongka Rinpoche and even His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama practiced Dorje Shugden at one point of their life, are they all wrong? Is Pabongka Rinpoche who taught the ultimate Lam Rim wrong? Is the Dalai Lama wrong about his teachings? If he is wrong, does that mean he has no right to start the ban in the first place. He would've broken his vows and would not be considered a monk, so he would not be qualified to even be giving this ban.

Most, if not all, of the Tantric practices had been written or taught by "evil" Dorje Shugden practitioners. If even the tantric masters and high lamas are wrong, who is right? Those who did not practice Dorje Shugden? Well, their lineage has practiced it!

If a monk learns from a non-Shugden lama. The non-Shugden lama's guru may have been a Dorje Shugden practitioner even if he stopped. Also, going back in time, the lamas who have been practicing Dorje Shugden before the ban, if they had students, their students, even without the practice, would be wrong and they should disrobe. Why? Because their lineage is a spirit-worshipping lineage.

The tantra and sutra are both "stained" by the lamas who practice Dorje Shugden. The lineage is "stained". This means that it would be better to just shut down all the Gelug schools like Gaden monastery, because the Gelug lineage would be invalid! 

This is a major reason for why the ban is silly and stupid.

[Ensapa]

This letter can be somewhat controversial and radical. It may offend people in the Gelug lineage but it would make them reevaluate their thinking.
I dont find it offensive to Gelugs. What is offensive are people claiming to be Gelugs but criticize Pabongkha Rinpoche and Dorje Shugden.

According to the ban, all Gelug lamas would have broken their root vows. The vow broken is the vow that they would not take refuge in a spirit. If Dorje Shugden was a spirit as the Dalai Lama said he is, all the Gelug monks who learned the practice or has a teacher who once did the practice has now broken their vows. That means that they would not be qualified to become a monk as they even break one of their main vows.
Like I have mentioned in a previous post, this is the view and logic that the other lineages would like to push to undermine Gelugpa, using Dorje Shugden as a 'valid' excuse. When Gelugpas go against Dorje Shugden, it is no different than murdering their parents as their root Gurus have been kinder to them than their parents, its like cutting off their own source. Its either that the lineage Gurus have broken their vows, or that Dorje Shugden is really a Buddha. choose one.

A lot of high lamas like Trijang Rinpoche, Pabongka Rinpoche and even His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama practiced Dorje Shugden at one point of their life, are they all wrong? Is Pabongka Rinpoche who taught the ultimate Lam Rim wrong? Is the Dalai Lama wrong about his teachings? If he is wrong, does that mean he has no right to start the ban in the first place. He would've broken his vows and would not be considered a monk, so he would not be qualified to even be giving this ban.
If HHDL can be wrong in the past, why cant he be wrong about the ban? Why cant it be a personal bias that caused the ban? If it is a personal preference/bias, is it still valid?

Most, if not all, of the Tantric practices had been written or taught by "evil" Dorje Shugden practitioners. If even the tantric masters and high lamas are wrong, who is right? Those who did not practice Dorje Shugden? Well, their lineage has practiced it!

If a monk learns from a non-Shugden lama. The non-Shugden lama's guru may have been a Dorje Shugden practitioner even if he stopped. Also, going back in time, the lamas who have been practicing Dorje Shugden before the ban, if they had students, their students, even without the practice, would be wrong and they should disrobe. Why? Because their lineage is a spirit-worshipping lineage.
If Dorje Shugden was bad, then his practitioners would be bad. Then why is it that so many people who practice Dorje Shugden gain so much benefit? Something is wrong with this logic.

The tantra and sutra are both "stained" by the lamas who practice Dorje Shugden. The lineage is "stained". This means that it would be better to just shut down all the Gelug schools like Gaden monastery, because the Gelug lineage would be invalid! 
Again, this view is very strongly upheld by other lineages and it is shameful indeed for Gelugs to uphold this view. But there are, surprisingly.
This is a major reason for why the ban is silly and stupid.

Thank you for your input as it does make us think. This is a very logical conclusion to the excellent letter. People should really wake up to the fact that to be against Dorje Shugden is to attack Gelug and stop it already.