The basis of enlightenment based on the 50 verses of Guru Devotion by Ashvagosha (the Indian poet known by many names, such as Aryashura, Matriceta, Patriceta, Matichitra, and Bhavideva) is guru devotion. This is the core practice of Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhism as the guru is the guide to our enlightenment. Therefore, going against one’s guru will invite many negative karmas that obstruct us from enlightenment.
Breaching the guru devotion does not mean that one physically harms the teacher. A breach of guru devotion happens when one proclaims that I do not practice Dorje Shugden although my guru practices it. For a real and genuine student, having guru devotion mean she follows in the guru's footsteps and never let the mind slipped even a moment to give rise to negative view the doubt the guru's advice and practice. This means that one should not have any negative view of the guru's actions and give rise to not even a single negative view. It is sufficient to say that the moment a negative view arises, one is considered to have breached her guru devotion.
Lama Yeshe (the founder of the FPMT) is a close student of His Holiness Kyabje Zong Rinpoche. Both of them are firm practitioners of Dorje Shugden to the end of their lives. Kyabje Zong Rinpoche went to the hospital just before Lama Yeshe passed away to perform the last rites and prayers for him. Lama Yeshe's mind was lucid, alert and full of devotion for Kyabje Zong Rinpoche although he was paralyzed physically. (Lama Zopa also experienced a stroke. I wonder if this is the form of sickness run in the spiritual guide of the FPMT.) It is very much demonstrated in the picture taken below. It is clear that Lama Yeshe did not lose any control of his powerful mind.
Lama Yeshe was the first person who has invited His Holiness Kyabje Zong Rinpoche to the west and to his centres. He has praised Kyabje Zong Rinpoche as a highly attained mater who is without any mistakes or faults. Kyabje Zong Rinpoche has transmitted so many teachings to Lama Yeshe. When Lama Yeshe was in Sera Jey Monastic College in Lhasa, he has received the highest tantric initiations, teachings and discourses from esteemed Dorje Shugden lamas such as the Dalai Lama's tutors H.H. Kyabje Ling Rinpoche and H.H. Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche, and Geshe Rabten Rinpoche. He was also ordained as a fully ordained monk by H.H. Kyabje Ling Rinpoche.
The higher tantric initiations Lama Yeshe received were Heruka, Vajrabhairava and Guhyasamaja, while the teachings conferred onto him are the Lam-Rim from Kyabje Trijang Dorje Chang, instructions on Prajnaparamita, Madhyamika, the Six Yogas of Naropa and Shantideva’s Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life amongst others.
Lama Yeshe was known to have relied on Dorje Shugden strongly for the growth of the FPMT. He often attributed his success to the blessings of his teachers and his Dharma Protector Dorje Shugden. According to Lama Zopa, Lama Yeshe would always begin each course at Kopan Monastery with a Dorje Shugden kangsol and request for his assistance for all his dharma activities through the FPMT.
When Kyabje Zong Rinpoche was invited to the FPMT, Lama Yeshe’s students were all blessed with the authentic and pure teachings, initiations, oral transmissions and protection from Kyabje Zong Rinpoche. He is an enormously perfect master who was a master of the highest calibre of the Sutra and Tantra. A seasoned teacher of teachers so rare to be found.
Lama Zopa and the FPMT students should be just like Lama Yeshe and follow the teachings of H.H. Kyabje Zong Rinpoche’s lineage or Lama Yeshe perfectly without a doubt. They should be devoted to Lama Yeshe just like how Lama Yeshe was devoted to Kyabje Zong Rinpoche. This is the real meaning of having Lama Yeshe's statue in the FPMT centre.
Obviously, most people do not understand what it means to have guru devotion these days. So they choose to listen to teachers who have big names, such as His Holiness the Dalai Lama. If the advice comes from a qualified guru who can pass on an authentic oral transmission who has a low-profile, nobody cares because he is not famous.
One should not follow a guru just because of their high ranks or famous. A famous guru's advice should never override the advice from one's personal lama, for example, Lama Yeshe's advice should not be overridden by the advice of the Dalai Lama for all FPMT students. Lama Zopa should know this very well. Instead of encouraging the FPMT students to follow Lama Yeshe, he is now asking the FPMT students to follow the Dalai Lama. Therefore, Lama Zopa has breached his guru devotion posthumously following the death of Lama Yeshe. Why should the FPMT offer the Lama Yeshe's statue in their centre then?
Lama Zopa (who is recognised by Dorje Shugden himself) and the FPMT students should not abandon the Dorje Shugden practice even if the famous Dalai Lama tells them to. They should not listen to any guru because they are famous or for any other reason. In order for many spiritual attainments to grow, everyone in the FPMT should follow Lama Yeshe's teachings sincerely from their heart. They should keep their samaya with Lama Yeshe clean and never to breach it. They should be grateful for the teachings he compassionately practices and attained and should never entertain, spread or contemplate negative thoughts on Lama Yeshe's Dorje Shugden practice. Pursuing gurus with fame and big names cannot save them at the time of death, only the close guru can because when death arrives, fame cannot do anything at all.
One should never go against one’s guru and keep that relationship and samaya very clean at all costs. Always respect one’s guru no matter what happens strongly and firmly. Only by following through the teachings one's guru has compassionately taught unconditionally with gratefulness, then only can the mind be transformed. This is the essence of Tsongkapa’s unerring path and the only cause for one to gain higher attainments. The is the true meaning behind keeping Lama Yeshe's statue in FPMT and venerate it.
