Caz wrote:Still regardless of Je Tsongkhapa's later disciples one would have thought Je Rinpoche would have provided direct teachings on Dzogchen to his disciples if he though Dzogchen was appropriate.
Gurus keep some of their practices secret. We don't know what Tsongkhapa's secret practices were. Gelugs practice of Dzogchen is historic as proven with the Dala lamas' secret practice temple of Dzogchen and other masters. What is new, as a cult, in very recent history is a few saying taking teachings from other schools, or now saying from most Gelug masters obedient under the glorious 14th Dalai Lama, is forbidden. This is a new abomination and anti-Buddhist. Also saying, without reference, Tsongkhapa did not think Dzogchen practice is appropriate is an insult in the Dzogchen sub-forum. He did not include many practices he thought very valid in his new monastic system for different reasons. One of his root gurus was a Nyingma Dzogchen master.
Finally what accomplishments do we see from the sectarian enemies of Dzogchen or their lineage gurus (gurus' former gurus, ie: the 14th Dalai Lama)? Nothing. We know persistence in breaking such a major samaya ends up in vajra hell. Even current samaya breakers still have lineage samaya via their gurus to the magnificent 14th Dala Lama. While Dzogchen tertons and Dzogchen masters leave foot and hand prints in granite like butter, have terma descend from sky to them in front of crowds, melt rocks to extract terma, shrink or disappear into rainbow bodies and numerous other public miracles in large numbers to this very day. In fact a recent master whose body dissolved fully into rainbow lights several days after death in Tibet a few years ago was a Gelug lama. His rainbow body as his students attested was due to his Dzogchen practice of Dudjom Tersar as they told western investigators. The real accomplishment is recognizing the nature of mind and complete enlightenment which will also serve beings. So considering where the sectarian major-samaya breakers are going to end up and for such long times, we need to pity them. Something they need to chew on day and night, even in dreams.
Dzogchen masters I know say: 1)Buddhist religion essence is Dzogchen 2)Religions are positive by intent/fruit 3)Any method's OK unless: breaking Dzogchen vows, mixed as syncretic (Milanese Soup) 4)Don't join mandalas of opponents of Dalai Lama/Padmasambhava: False Deity inventors by encouraging victims 5)Don't debate Ati with others 6)Don't discuss Ati practices online 7) A master told his old disciple: no one's to discuss his teaching with some others on a former forum nor mention him. Publicity's OK, questions are asked from masters/set teachers in person/email/non-public forums~Best wishes