Lama zopa ? is standing up as well ? Do you have any evidence of this ?
I find it highly unlikely The FPMT is far to subserviant to the DL.
Dear Zach,
Lama Zopa is not 'standing up' for Shugden. He has been advocating that members of FPMT not practice Shugden but his reasoning is interesting. He supports the ban because of the Dalai Lama's achievements and influence.
In Lama Zopa's Advice book (
http://dorjeshugden.com/wp/?p=1166), it is quite clear what Lama Zopa thinks. I quote:
"Therefore, it becomes very important to support His Holiness and to fulfil His Holiness’ wishes. For that reason, Kopan Monastery stopped doing this practice. This was done for His Holiness. This does not mean that Pabongka Dechen Nyingpo, His Holiness Trijang Rinpoche, and His Holiness Zong Rinpoche have made mistakes. It does not mean they are wrong. Nor does one have to look at the protector as evil."
With relations to abandoning one's Guru, Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, Lama Zopa said this:
"A student wrote to Rinpoche saying that he had forsaken one of his gurus, Geshe Kelsang Gyatso. The student said that he was not keeping his vows and was aware of the negative karma that could result from these actions. Rinpoche answered as follows.
Once you have made a Dharma connection with the virtuous friend, your guru, you cannot give up this relationship unless the guru himself or herself says, “Don’t come,” or “Don’t regard me as your guru.”
By giving up Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, you have created heavy negative karma in this life. Since you haven’t given me up, I suggest that you confess to Geshe Kelsang Gyatso about what happened, and devote yourself again to this virtuous friend."
Lama Zopa calls Geshe Kelsang Gyatso "this virtuous friend".. while the TGIE has called him the devil incarnate (ok my own words but you know the idea)..
It is these subtle ways that Lama Zopa expresses support for Shugden while towing the Dalai Lama line.
I hope this helps, Zach.