Monlam Pavillion
Afternoon Session,
12 February 2015
As requested by the Gyalwang Karmapa, in the afternoon, Drung Goshir Gyaltsab Rinpoche returned to the Monlam stage to bestow the empowerment for the practice of the Three Roots Combined and to perform the Red Crown ceremony. Rinpoche gave this empowerment previously at the 2017 Kagyu Monlam in Bodhgaya.
The Gyalwang Karmapa’s description of the practice and its history can be found at:
https://kagyuoffice.org/reviving-the-karmapas-traditions-the-empowerment-and-practice-of-the-three-roots-combined/
The sacred Red Crown Ceremony belongs to the category of thongdrol—liberation on seeing. Witnessing the ceremony is believed to plant the seeds in one’s mind stream for future awakening. Karma Pakshi said that seeing the Vajra Crown ceremony would also prevent rebirth in the lower realms.
Vajra crown ceremonies are an important aspect of the Karma Kamtsang lineage.
The tradition began with the Karmapas who have the Black Vajra Crown. However, Red Vajra Crowns have been bestowed by the Karmapas on their heart sons: Tais Situ Rinpoche, Shamar Rinpoche and Gyaltsab Rinpoche.
Drung Goshir Gyaltsab Rinpoche first performed the Red Crown ceremony at the Kagyu Monlam in February 2017. He also gave the Long-Life Empowerment of the Three Roots Combined before the ceremony.
More details of the Red Crown Ceremony can be found here: https://kagyuoffice.org/historic-red-crown-ceremony-in-bodhgaya/
