THE BLACK CROWN OF THE KARMAPAS

The Qualities of the Vajra Crown

The Vajra Crown, or Black Crown, of the Karmapas is replete with profound and symbolic meaning. The shape and ornamentation of the crown display the enlightened qualities of the Karmapas. Below a closer look at some of the most significant aspects of the Vajra Crown.

The Unchanging Dharmata

The Color of the Vajra Crown is dark blue, Representing the unchanging nature of reality, dharmata, of all phenomena. The realization of enlightenment is also unchanging, like space, and that basic space is represented here by the dark blue color.

The Three Kayas

The Three Points of the Vajra Crown, one in the middle, and two at the sides, represent the spontaneous presence of the three kaya buddhahood:     1. dharmakaya   2. sambhogakaya    and 3. nirmanakaya

The Lord of the Mandala

The Top Ornament of the Vajra Crown represents the pinnacle of wisdom and the Lord of the Mandala in the Vajrayana teachings. It also represents the unobstructed play of the buddha wisdom.

The Two Wisdoms of the Buddha

The Sun and the Moon, made from precious jewels, ornament the crown's center-top section representing the two wisdoms of the buddha: 1) the wisdom of seeing things as they are and 2) the wisdom of seeing the extent of things, which is obtained through the achievement of the dharmakaya buddhahood

The Buddha Activities

The Cloud Ornaments decorate the left and right side of the crown with beautiful clouds representing the immeasurable and unbiased rain of wisdom and compassion, which is the activities of the buddhas and tenth level bodhisattvas, in benefitting all sentient beings. The tenth bhumi of the bodhisattva path is also called the "cloud of dharma."

The Four Enlightened Activities

The Crossed Vajra or Dorje Gyatram ornately beautifies the front of the crown, containing five different colors of precious gems representing the five colors of the buddha families. The prongs of the vajra represent the four enlightened activities of pacifying, enriching, magnetizing and destroying.

The Four Immeasurables

The Base, made up of the four-cornered quadrilateral area forming the square or v-shaped base for the crossed-vajra ornament, represents the four immeasurables: 1) loving-kindness, 2) compassion, 3) joy, and 4) equanimity towards all sentient beings. This is how he leads beings through the path to the fruition of complete awakening.