Deshin Shekpa, 5th Karmapa Lama

Deshin Shegpa ( Tib. de bzhin gshegs pa * 1384 in Kongpo, † 1415) was the 5th Karmapa of the Karma Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism

Life

Deshin Shegpa was recognized by Shamar 2 Khachoe Wangpo in Kongpo as Trülku the 4th Karmapa. From him he received the traditional black hat and other objects of his deceased predecessor. He taught him in all aspects of the Kagyu lineage. With 22 or 23 years ( 1406/1407 ) made ​​Deshin Shegpa a trip to Nanjing, then the capital of the Ming Dynasty to visit the Emperor Yongle, who is said to have had a vision of him as Avalokiteshvara. Yongle, who is regarded in some Buddhist sources even as an emanation of Manjushri, and students of the 5th Karmapa was. Due to a further vision Yongle's a black vajra crown was made, which should be worn on a special " ceremony of the Black Vajra Crown ," to free the striving for liberation from samsara. This crown handed him the Emperor 1407. Yongle also gave him the title " Great value Full - Dharma ".

Then, in 1408, Deshin Shegpa pilgrimage to Wutai Shan Mountains. 1410 he returned to the monastery Tshurphu to oversee its reconstruction, as it was destroyed by an earthquake. He recognized Chöpel Yeshe as the third Shamar, 1 Tai Situpa Gyeltshen Chokyi ( 1377-1448 ) he appointed to the highest Lama in Karma Guen. Before his death he made a three -year retreat. Nearest main lineage holder of the Karma Kagyu became his student Ratnabhadra. Deshin Shegpa died at the age of 31 years.