The Black Crown Ceremony 黑金剛寶冠 法会

Deshin Shekpa, 5th Karmapa,wearing the Black Crown

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• Refer to Link: GM Lu on The Black Crown of the Karmapas

The following are excerpts from the following link:
The Black Crown of the Karmapas
http://the17thkarmapa.blogspot.sg/2012/09/the-black-crown-of-karmapas_11.html?m=1
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Link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Crown

The Black Crown (Tibetan: ཞྭ་ནག་, Wylie: zhwa nag) is an important symbol of the Karmapa, the Lama that heads the Karma 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 /Avalokiteśvara, 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 the Karma Kagyu lineage.
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CHAT:
AA: of note is that the Chinese king is one that can see the Astral crown atop the 5th
Karmapa

do they need the physical black crown in order to perform samadhi from yoga with Avalokitesvara to bring all present into samadhi to succour them n free
them from transmigration in the 6 realms?

i am embroiled in the black crown n ceremony! :)
pretty busy!
In a chat with GM, I was comparing the similarities of the black crown ceremony to my vision of transformation into Living Buddha Lian Sheng n all sentient beings into Living Buddha Lian Sheng plastering the entire surface of Earth!

also succouring all beings by transformation into Buddhas.
no difference lol.

BB: if the concept and intention are similar to planting the seeds, lights, and transforming them into purity, then I agree that it's the same. Only that one is made into tangible procession and becomes a tradition, and the other is performed discreetly :)

AA: O! I did the same with Bhaisajyaguru at a local chapter, during a cultivation session of Bhaisajyaguru's Sadhana.

Also did one at about 1am this morning, with Bhaisajyaguru as yidam. :)

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Hahaha!

I strongly & fervently believe that as long as one is sincere and compassionate enough to want to make a difference to the benefit of all beings, we can leave the rest to the Divinities! :)

The basic factor of the Black crown ceremony is to include all attendees present, bringing them into purity to enable them to enter the state of Samadhi with Avalokitesvara Boddhisattva as principle yidam.

Hahaha! A True Yogi performing Dharma Charity! 

Cheers all

Om Guru Lian Sheng Siddhi Hom

Lama Lotuschef