Here is what I know about the term “Black Hat” and why we no longer use it to describe our tradition. I have spoken with others who were near Professor more than 20 years ago, and  I am now better able to put the pieces together with a bit more acumen. These are my thoughts and are meant for everyone who is interested.

I will try to keep this as simple as possible. The history is complicated.

Traditionally, the Chinese used “Black Hat Sect” as a general term to describe all the different expressions of Bon in China—including the clerical (or monastic) tradition, the lay (or family) tradition, the animistic tradition, and the tradition of Yungdrung Bon.

It was Professor’s greatest wish for many years to reunite the Chinese Bon tradition with Tibetan Bon. He traveled many times to make this happen, and now the two traditions are formally in accord and united because of his tireless effort. This was the beginning of the Fourth Stage of Yungdrung Bon (the root of our Black Sect tradition). It is interesting to note that this desire for unity was felt on both sides. A lama from the Menri monastery told us that Yungdrung Bon has been looking for its Chinese counterpart for 18,0000 years.

Professor’s efforts made history when the spiritual leader of all the Bonpos, Abbot Lungtok Tenpa’i Nyima, enthroned Professor as a Rinpoche in the Bon tradition (recognized by the Dalai Lama in 1960 as the fifth school of Tibetan spirituality).

Technically, the Chinese term “Black Hat Sect” does refer to all expressions of Bon in China. When Professor began this path, he used the Chinese term. However, he removed “Hat” from the title when some confusion arose. To the best of our knowledge, this removal was to prevent any confusion with the “Black Hat” Lamas of the Karma Kagyu lineage. The “Black Hat” reference is to the Black Crown worn by the Karmapa, the lineage holder of the sect. The entire history of this crown is now very complicated, and is another fascinating story that includes the powerful Black Crown Ceremony—which is not associated with our tradition.

Professor told me, many years ago, that he wanted to honor the Kagyu lineage, and not create any confusion. At that moment he asked me, and others, to refrain from using the term “Black Hat” to describe our tradition. The term was built into the Chinese linguistic tradition, but was not suitable for the Fourth Stage of our tradition—the reunification of Tibetan and Chinese Bon.

As I reflect upon that moment, I am reminded that harmony is to be found in the diversity of phenomena, and not achieved by leveling all differences.

I have honored his request since that day. I hope you will do the same. It speaks of Professor’s strong sense of decorum and respect. I have explained to the best of my knowledge. Yet, as with all things “Professor,” there are many layers. Perhaps we will learn more in the times to come.