Questionable FPMT policies?

[vajratruth]

FPMT was founded by Lama Yeshe who was a student of Trijang Rinpoche, and a well known practitioner of Dorje Shugden. In fact Lama Zopa himself said that Lama Yeshe regarded Dorje Shugden closely as a personal protector and referred many issues and problems to the counsel of the Protector. On his part Lama Zopa was recognised as a Rinpoche by Dorje Shugden and the account was told in a book for which the Dalai Lama himself wrote the Foreword.

It strikes me as extremely odd and ungrateful that FPMT would treat Dorje Shugden this way knowing that the Protector was so prominent in FPMT's leaders' lives. They could have remained neutral in the matter and let their own members decide for themselves as the Dalai Lama has advised. How strange it must be to recite the 50 Verses Of Guru Devotion before pictures of the lineage gurus such as Pabongkha Rinpoche, Trijang Rinpoche and Lama Yeshe, all known practitioners of Dorje Shugden and study texts written by Panchen Sonam Dragpa a well known previous reincarnation of Dorje Shugden and not even wonder if a mistake has been made. What a huge cost they are paying in order to be popular with the Dalai Lama.

I wonder if FPMT would change their stance once Lama Osel who is the recognised reincarnation of Lama Yeshe takes over leadership as he seems to be gearing up to.

[beggar]

What a huge cost they are paying in order to be popular with the Dalai Lama.

Indeed. Especially as many of them may not even have the Dalai Lama as one of their direct teachers. What is to be gained by currying favor with the Dalai Lama, when he is not even your root teacher? Is that to be held more precious and important than the samaya with our root teachers and our immediate lineage teachers?

Yes, Lama Zopa has told his students to discontinue the practice. He must have his own divine reasons for this, and students of Lama Zopa would do well to follow his advice. But there is a difference in following his advice and in disparaging other Lamas or others' advice. This isn't what Lama Zopa or Lama Yeshe would have wanted in the way students are treating other practitioners and practices, whether or not they did practice Dorje Shugden themselves.

Is it not "good" enough to just discontinue the practice yourself (as advised by Lama Zopa as your Guru) but remain quiet and respectful about what others choose to do? As you have also said, Vajratruth, these people could well have chosen to "remain neutral in the matter and let their own members decide for themselves."

[Ensapa]

What a huge cost they are paying in order to be popular with the Dalai Lama.

Indeed. Especially as many of them may not even have the Dalai Lama as one of their direct teachers. What is to be gained by currying favor with the Dalai Lama, when he is not even your root teacher? Is that to be held more precious and important than the samaya with our root teachers and our immediate lineage teachers?

Yes, Lama Zopa has told his students to discontinue the practice. He must have his own divine reasons for this, and students of Lama Zopa would do well to follow his advice. But there is a difference in following his advice and in disparaging other Lamas or others' advice. This isn't what Lama Zopa or Lama Yeshe would have wanted in the way students are treating other practitioners and practices, whether or not they did practice Dorje Shugden themselves.

Is it not "good" enough to just discontinue the practice yourself (as advised by Lama Zopa as your Guru) but remain quiet and respectful about what others choose to do? As you have also said, Vajratruth, these people could well have chosen to "remain neutral in the matter and let their own members decide for themselves."

To me, there is nothing wrong at all with Lama Zopa telling his students not to practice Dorje Shugden, but in his original advice, he only mentioned that Dorje Shugden practitioners may not teach in FPMT centers. Since when did that change into any Dorje Shugden practitioner cannot enter any FPMT centers, or that the FPMT committee has rights to be the official spokesperson for Vajrayana in the country that they are in and that they can start condemning centers that are pro Dorje Shugden? Why distort the Guru's words for  more short term 'purpose' which will eventually lead to more pain and harm in the future?