I have learnt also that it not only makes it difficult for us to reconnect with our Lama, but we also create the negative cause that, in the future, we also are not able to receive or hear any Dharma, meet any teachers;
"Lying, cheating, being sneaky and using people when you're in a Dharma organisation is the same as the karma of KILLING PEOPLE.
These types of people become cold, animal-like, and have tremendous unhappiness, pain and troubles waiting for them in the future AGAIN and AGAIN."
Tsum Tulku
Well, this does not bode well for Dalia Lama! Makes sense that his brother decided to recincarnate as burro in Tiajaunia, Mexico.
In the meantime though, would Lama Zopa bear the karma for the broken samaya of the monks who, under Lama Zopa's directive, have stopped their practice?
The situation at Kopan is very sad. I was struck by what TK pointed out about if we change the practice our own lama gave us because another lama says so, then when this other lama passes on or another lama tells us otherwise, we change again? That is not logical at all and shows the one's practice has no firm foundation to be abandoned so easily.
It is interesting that while Lama Zopa advocates abandoning Shugden practice, he simply expresses it as an extension of his loyalty to HH Dalai Lama rather than being critical of Shugden:
In the FPMT (Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition) Handbook, Lama Zopa says:
“All those who offer service or teach in FPMT centers are committed to follow the advice of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. As an example, His Holiness has prohibited the practice of the so-called protector, Do Gyel (Shugden), so teachers or others affiliated with the FPMT should not engage in this practice.”
in his advice book (which is posted on this website too [url]http://dorjeshugden.com/wp/?p=1166[/url]), he states that he has imposed not engaging in Shugden practice because HH the Dalai Lama said so and NOT because of anything wrong with Shugden practice as a whole:
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.
It would have been better for FPMT if Lama Zopa had kept Shugden practice and many might say that Lama Zopa sold out Lama Yeshe because of following HH Dalai Lama's directive. However, i do hope that Lama Zopa himself is still practising in private and when the ban is lifted or fades, he will be able to be public about it.
In the meantime though, would Lama Zopa bear the karma for the broken samaya of the monks who, under Lama Zopa's directive, have stopped their practice?
The situation at Kopan is very sad. I was struck by what TK pointed out about if we change the practice our own lama gave us because another lama says so, then when this other lama passes on or another lama tells us otherwise, we change again? That is not logical at all and shows the one's practice has no firm foundation to be abandoned so easily.
It is interesting that while Lama Zopa advocates abandoning Shugden practice, he simply expresses it as an extension of his loyalty to HH Dalai Lama rather than being critical of Shugden:
In the FPMT (Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition) Handbook, Lama Zopa says:
“All those who offer service or teach in FPMT centers are committed to follow the advice of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. As an example, His Holiness has prohibited the practice of the so-called protector, Do Gyel (Shugden), so teachers or others affiliated with the FPMT should not engage in this practice.”
in his advice book (which is posted on this website too [url]http://dorjeshugden.com/wp/?p=1166[/url]), he states that he has imposed not engaging in Shugden practice because HH the Dalai Lama said so and NOT because of anything wrong with Shugden practice as a whole:
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.
It would have been better for FPMT if Lama Zopa had kept Shugden practice and many might say that Lama Zopa sold out Lama Yeshe because of following HH Dalai Lama's directive. However, i do hope that Lama Zopa himself is still practising in private and when the ban is lifted or fades, he will be able to be public about it.
In the meantime though, would Lama Zopa bear the karma for the broken samaya of the monks who, under Lama Zopa's directive, have stopped their practice?
Among other advice regarding Guru Devotion and aspects of practice, Lama Zopa advises his students to follow His Holiness' advice and not practice Dorje Shugden. His reasons are explained below.
what is interesting to note is that throughout his explanation and advice, Lama Zopa does not speak negatively against Dorje Shugden but takes this approach of respecting the Dalai Lama and focuses on praising his qualities.
It looks like www.lamayeshe.com (created by FPMT) has anti-Shugden material.
The Dalai Lama is his Root Guru now, what can you do?
Quoteone of the harshest suffering Dharma practitioners has to confront was in the choice between Dorje Shugden and Dalai Lama.
Sorry to have to say this, but for many the choice is not between Dorje Shugden and the Dalai Lama, it is between Dorje Shugden and their meal ticket (Dalai Lama). That is the reality.
Quoteone of the harshest suffering Dharma practitioners has to confront was in the choice between Dorje Shugden and Dalai Lama.
Sorry to have to say this, but for many the choice is not between Dorje Shugden and the Dalai Lama, it is between Dorje Shugden and their meal ticket (Dalai Lama). That is the reality.
For the sake of sponsorship, some DS practitioners will do the unthinkable and denounce their own practice given by their Gurus. However, looking at Serpom and Shar Gaden, it doesn't look like there is a lack of sponsorship for those who wish to openly practice Shugden.
Some lamas in the monastery may not abandon their practice but do it privately although it is common knowledge that they are still maintaining their practice. While some criticise them for pretending to abide by the ban for the sake of not losing sponsorship or support, i have heard that some of these lamas are advised by Dorje Shugden NOT to be open with their practice when they would have happily gone to Shar Gaden or Serpom. So i think that it would be wisest for us, who do not know people's motive, to not judge them in case we judge wrongly (which is highly likely!)
I love the sharing on this forum. It will be sad in one way when Ds's ban is lifted and we don't need this forum anymore. It will be like close dharma ppl parting. But perhaps we can all meet in person that time. Or this forum evolves into more and then when we look at the older threads, it will awaken many emotions and thoughts. I look forward to that.
Tk
From reading TK's post of the potential future of FPMT and what is happening now to kopan, what can be done to mend the broken samaya and the negativity from schism? Lama Yeshe is so compassionate to incarnate back and to "allow" himself to be found. He is definitely will benefit others, but will the thousands of FPMT be involved or miss out.. I do hope it will not be too late. What will happen when Lama Zopa passes on (i do hope he live a long life)