Deshin Shekpa
From Buddhist Encyclopedia
Three Jewels
Buddha . Dharma . Sangha
Three Dharma Seals
Anicca . Dukkha . Anatta
Karma . Rebirth
Samsara . Nirvana
Four Noble Truths
Seven Sets
Four Frames of Reference
Four Right Exertions
Four Bases of Power
Five Faculties
Five Strengths
Seven Factors of Awakening
Noble Eightfold Path
Bodhisattva
Four Great Vows
Ten Great Vows
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 1406 by the emperor of China, because the emperor had a vision of Avalokitesvara. After a journey of three years, he arrived at the imperial palace where tens of thousands of monks greeted him. He convinced the emperor that there are different religions for different people and that does not mean that one is better than the other. This teaching prevented several wars. In 1410 he returned to Tsurphu where he had his monastery rebuilt which was severely damaged by an earthquake.
