Deshin Shekpa

Deshin Shekpa (1384-1415), also Deshin Shegpa, was the fifth Gyalwa Karmapa, head of the Kagyu School of Tibetan Buddhism.

Deshin Shekpa was born in Nyang Dam in the south of Tibet. According to the legend he said after being born: "I am the Karmapa. Om mani padme hum shri." Deshin Shekpa was taken to Tsawa Phu who recognized him as the reincarnation of the Karmapa. Deshin traveled extensively through Tibet and Mongolia and taught people about non-violence.

After having finished his education, he was invited in 1403 by the emperor of China, because Emperor Zhu Di, the Yongle Emperor, (1402-1424) had a vision of Avalokitesvara. He also required religious ceremonies to be held for his deceased parents.

After a long journey beginning in 1403, he arrived in Nanjing on April 10, 1407 on an elephant, at the imperial palace, where tens of thousands of monks greeted him. He convinced the emperor that there were different religions for different people and that does not mean that one is better than the other.

The Karmapa was very well received in China and a number of miraculous occurrences are reported. He also performed ceremonies for the emperor's family. The emperor presented him with 700 measures of silver objects and bestowed the title of 'Precious Religious King, Great Loving One of the West, Mighty Buddha of Peace'. He also gave him a material representation of the famous and ethereal 'Vajra Crown' which was said to be invisible to all except those of most pure spirit. It was woven in black brocade and studded with jewels. [Brown, Mick. (2004). "The Dance of 17 Lives: The Incredible True Story of Tibet's 17th Karmapa", p. 34. Bloomsbury Publishing, New York and London. ISBN 1-58234-177-X.]

Aside from religious matters, Emperor Cheng Zu wished to establish an alliance with the Karmapa similar to the one the Yuan (1277-1367 CE) rulers had established with the Sakyapa. [Sperling, Elliot. "The 5th Karma-pa and some aspects of the relationship between Tibet and the early Ming." In: "Tibetan Studies in Honour of Hugh Richardson". Edited by Michael Aris and Aung San Suu Kyi, p. 284. (1979). Vikas Publishing house, New Delhi.] The Chinese emperor apparently offered to send armies to unify Tibet under the Karmapa but Deshin Shekpa refused this rather un-Buddhist offer. [Brown, Mick. (2004). "The Dance of 17 Lives: The Incredible True Story of Tibet's 17th Karmapa", pp. 33-34. Bloomsbury Publishing, New York and London. ISBN 1-58234-177-X.]

Deshin left Nanjing on 17th May, 1408 CE. [Sperling, Elliot. "The 5th Karma-pa and some aspects of the relationship between Tibet and the early Ming." In: "Tibetan Studies in Honour of Hugh Richardson". Edited by Michael Aris and Aung San Suu Kyi, p. 284. (1979). Vikas Publishing house, New Delhi.] In 1410 he returned to Tsurphu where he had his monastery rebuilt which had been severely damaged by an earthquake.

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