Difference between revisions of "The Black Crown"
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− | Many eons ago, during the [[time]] of the [[Buddha]] called Driamkyi [[Gyalpo]], there was a [[king]] called Yulpo Kyong (“[[Protector]] of the Surrounding Land”). The [[king]] had a younger son called Chökyi Lodro (“[[Wisdom]] of [[Dharma]]”). Chökyi Lodro went into the mountains and [[meditated]] [[vipassana]] (“[[insight]] [[meditation]]”). He remained in [[samadhi]] for hundreds of thousands of years and became known as [[Rishi | + | Many eons ago, during the [[time]] of the [[Buddha]] called Driamkyi [[Gyalpo]], there was a [[king]] called Yulpo Kyong (“[[Protector]] of the Surrounding Land”). The [[king]] had a younger son called Chökyi Lodro (“[[Wisdom]] of [[Dharma]]”). Chökyi Lodro went into the mountains and [[meditated]] [[vipassana]] (“[[insight]] [[meditation]]”). He remained in [[samadhi]] for hundreds of thousands of years and became known as [[Rishi Gompa-kye]] (“[[Sage Who Gave Rise to Realization]]”). The [[dakinis]] had great [[faith]] in him and assembled before him; each [[dakini]] pulled a strand of [[hair]] from their head and [[offered]] it to him. He accepted their present and made a {{Wiki|crown}} out of their [[hair]]. They all had black [[hair]], so the {{Wiki|crown}} became known as “The [[Black Crown]].” It is a [[manifestation]] of self-arisen [[wisdom]], because all [[dakinis]] who [[offered]] their [[hair]] were [[wisdom dakinis]]; therefore this {{Wiki|crown}} is a [[manifestation]] of [[Wikipedia:Absolute (philosophy)|ultimate]] [[wisdom]]. They crowned the [[Sage]] and [[Saint]] with this very {{Wiki|crown}} of [[empowerment]] that is adorned with [[symbols]] of the {{Wiki|sun}} and [[moon]]. |
− | The [[Black Crown]] ([[Tibetan]]: {{BigTibetan|ཞྭ་ནག་}}, Wylie: Zhwa-nag) is an important [[symbol]] of the [[Karmapa]], the [[Lama]] that heads the [[Kagyu school]] of [[Tibetan Buddhism]]. The {{Wiki|crown}} {{Wiki|signifies}} his power to [[benefit]] all [[sentient beings]]. A corresponding {{Wiki|crown}}, the Red {{Wiki|Crown}}, is worn by the [[Shamarpa]]. The [[Tai Situpa]] and the [[Goshir Gyaltsab]] also wear red crowns. | + | The [[Black Crown]] ([[Tibetan]]: {{BigTibetan|[[ཞྭ་ནག་]]}}, Wylie: [[Zhwa-nag]]) is an important [[symbol]] of the [[Karmapa]], the [[Lama]] that heads the [[Kagyu school]] of [[Tibetan Buddhism]]. The {{Wiki|crown}} {{Wiki|signifies}} his power to [[benefit]] all [[sentient beings]]. A corresponding {{Wiki|crown}}, the Red {{Wiki|Crown}}, is worn by the [[Shamarpa]]. The [[Tai Situpa]] and the [[Goshir Gyaltsab]] also wear red crowns. |
Legend tells that in a previous [[eon]], in a former [[life]] as an accomplished [[yogi]], the [[Karmapa]] attained the eighth level or [[bhumi]] of the [[bodhisattvas]]. At this [[time]], 100,000 [[dakinis]] ({{Wiki|female}} [[buddhas]]) [[manifested]] their [[hair]] as a {{Wiki|crown}}, and [[offered]] it to the [[Karmapa]] as a [[symbol]] of his [[accomplishment]]. | Legend tells that in a previous [[eon]], in a former [[life]] as an accomplished [[yogi]], the [[Karmapa]] attained the eighth level or [[bhumi]] of the [[bodhisattvas]]. At this [[time]], 100,000 [[dakinis]] ({{Wiki|female}} [[buddhas]]) [[manifested]] their [[hair]] as a {{Wiki|crown}}, and [[offered]] it to the [[Karmapa]] as a [[symbol]] of his [[accomplishment]]. |
Revision as of 07:33, 18 November 2013
Many eons ago, during the time of the Buddha called Driamkyi Gyalpo, there was a king called Yulpo Kyong (“Protector of the Surrounding Land”). The king had a younger son called Chökyi Lodro (“Wisdom of Dharma”). Chökyi Lodro went into the mountains and meditated vipassana (“insight meditation”). He remained in samadhi for hundreds of thousands of years and became known as Rishi Gompa-kye (“Sage Who Gave Rise to Realization”). The dakinis had great faith in him and assembled before him; each dakini pulled a strand of hair from their head and offered it to him. He accepted their present and made a crown out of their hair. They all had black hair, so the crown became known as “The Black Crown.” It is a manifestation of self-arisen wisdom, because all dakinis who offered their hair were wisdom dakinis; therefore this crown is a manifestation of ultimate wisdom. They crowned the Sage and Saint with this very crown of empowerment that is adorned with symbols of the sun and moon.
The Black Crown (Tibetan: ཞྭ་ནག་, Wylie: Zhwa-nag) is an important symbol of the Karmapa, the Lama that heads the Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism. The crown signifies his power to benefit all sentient beings. A corresponding crown, the Red Crown, is worn by the Shamarpa. The Tai Situpa and the Goshir Gyaltsab also wear red crowns.
Legend tells that in a previous eon, in a former life as an accomplished yogi, the Karmapa attained the eighth level or bhumi of the bodhisattvas. At this time, 100,000 dakinis (female buddhas) manifested their hair as a crown, and offered it to the Karmapa as a symbol of his accomplishment.
Dusum Khyenpa, the 1st Karmapa, was regarded as an emanation of that yogi and his appearance was predicted by the historical Buddha Shakyamuni in the Samadhiraja Sutra:
A bodhisattva with the lion's roar will appear. He will use the power he achieved in deep meditation to benefit countless beings. By seeing, hearing, touching or thinking of him, they will be led to happiness
Origin
The Karmapas were traditionally the teachers of the successive Ming Dynasty Emperors of China. When the 5th Karmapa, Dezhin Shegpa, met the Chinese Emperor Yung Lo, the Emperor, through his devotion and spiritual realization, was able to perceive Karmapa in the Sambhogakaya form of Vajradhara (Tib. Dorje Chang), wearing a black crown on his head. The Karmapa explained to the Emperor that he could see the 'Vajra Crown', the power-field of wisdom-energy that always stays above the Karmapa's head. The emperor offered to have a physical replica made so that others could receive its blessing.
A crown encrusted with precious stones and topped by a huge ruby was commissioned, and using this, the 5th Karmapa started the tradition of the Black Crown Ceremony which was performed by successive Karmapa incarnations up to the time of the 16th Karmapa, Rangjung Rigpe Dorje.
Ceremony
In preparation for the ceremony the Karmapa meditates to become inseparable with Chenrezig, the Buddha of Compassion. A mandala offering is made, followed by the seven branch prayer. This is to accumulate good impressions for the ceremony that ensues. The Karmapa then places the crown on his head while reciting the mantra 'Om Mani Peme Hung', transmitting blessings to each participant in the ceremony to the extent that they are capable of receiving them. It is said that by merely seeing of the Black Crown during the ceremony, one will become the first bhumi bodhisattva within three lifespans. This is one of the key reasons why the Black Crown is so important to Kagyu lineage.
Recent developments
In the early 1960s, the 16th Karmapa brought the Black Crown and other valuable relics of the Kagyu lineage to Rumtek monastery in Sikkim. They remained there in safekeeping until 1993 following the 16th Karmapa’s death. The ensuing split in his lineage caused a conflict at the monastery between supporters of the two rival claimants for the title of Karmapa. Since that time, it is said that many valuable items have disappeared from the cloister. On July 5, 2004, the Indian Supreme Court delivered a final judgement to grant Rumtek monastery to the Karmapa Charitable Trust, principal supporters of Thaye Dorje, one of the rival candidates for the title of 17th Karmapa. Since then an inventory of valuables is being prepared. The location and integrity of the Black Crown is currently unknown.