5th Karmapa, Deshin Shekpa

Samding Dorje Phagmo The 5th Karmapa, Deshin Shekpa (Standard Tibetan: དེ་བཞིན་གཤེགས་པ་) (1384–1415), (also Deshin Shegpa, Dezhin Shekpa, Dezhin Shegpa), was the 5th Gyalwa Karmapa, head of the Karma Kagyu, a subschool of the Kagyu School of Tibetan Buddhism.

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

After a long journey beginning in 1403, the 5th Karmapa arrived in Nanjing, the capital of Ming China, on April 10, 1407, while riding an elephant.

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'.

[2] The Ming emperor apparently offered to send regular armies to unify Tibet under the 5th Karmapa, but Deshin Shekpa declined.