Black Crown

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.

By seeing, hearing, touching or thinking of him, they will be led to happinessThe Karmapas were traditionally the teachers of the successive Ming dynasty Emperors of China.

In the early 1960s, the 16th Karmapa brought the Black Crown and other valuable relics of the Kagyu lineage to Rumtek monastery in Sikkim.

The ensuing split in his lineage caused a conflict at the monastery between supporters of the two rival claimants for the title of Karmapa.