HH16 Karmapa, Ranjung Rigpe Dorje

 

     
     

The Black Crown Ceremony of the Karmapa's

The whole Kagyu Dharma world awaits the day when HH 17th Karmapa, Thaye Dorje, will perform the sacred Black Crown ceremony. The ceremony has not been seen since the passing of HH, the late 16 Karmapa. The ceremony is not a mere affirmation of his authority within the lineage, but rather, is a display of His Compassion and Wisdom. It is said that anyone who witnesses the ceremony will undergo a transformation of the heart, within which a seed is planted, which will bear fruit as
Wisdom and Compassion. It is further said that the ceremony creates a bond with the Karmapa, and that the witness cannot fall into the lower realms for the next seven lives.

 

The Sacred Black Crown Ceremony

Stages of the Black Crown Ceremony:

a) HH Karmapa, in preparation for the Black Crown ceremony, manifests his transcendental form as Chenrezig.

b) HH Karmapa receives a Mandala offering and performs the seven branch prayer, to build up merit for the ensuing ceremony.

c) HH Karmapa, opens the box containing the Black Crown, a physical replica presented to the HH 5 Karmapa by the Emperor of China. The 'original' Black Crown, made by celestial Dakinis from their own hair and then presented by them to the HH 5 Karmapa, was seen by the Emperor in a vision, hovering above the Karmapas' head.

d) HH Karmapa places the crown on His head.

e) HH Karmapa recites the 'Om Mani Padme Hung' mantra, and transmits blessings, to the degree that each witness of the ceremony is capable of receiving them.


HH16 Karmapa performing the
Black Crown Ceremony
(32k)

 

 


HH16 Karmapa performing the
Black Crown Ceremony
(62k)

 


HH16 Karmapa performing
the Black Crown Ceremony

(107k)


HH16 Karmapa performing the
Black Crown Ceremony
(99k)

 


HH16 Karmapa performing the
Black Crown Ceremony
(116k)


HH16 Karmapa performing the
Black Crown Ceremony
(71k)

 

 


Statue at Singapore Centre of
HH16 Karmapa performing the
Black Crown Ceremony
(99k)


HH16 Karmapa performing the
Black Crown Ceremony
(71k)


Statue from Nepal of HH16 Karmapa
performing the Black Crown Ceremony

(71k)

Reproduced by kind permission of the statue maker - Amir Raj Shakya

 

The Black Crown of the Karmapa's is hopefully still safe under lock and key at Rumtek monastery in Sikkim, India.