After several invitations by the
Yongle Emperor of
China since
1403, the fifth
Karmapa of the
Karma Kagyu sect of
Tibetan Buddhism, the lama
Deshin Shekpa, finally visits the
Ming Dynasty capital, then at
Nanjing. In his twenty-two day visit, he thrills the Ming court with alleged miracles that are recorded in a gigantic scroll translated into five different languages. In a show of mystical prowess,
Deshin Shekpa adds legitimacy to a questionable succession to the throne by Yongle, who had killed his nephew the
Jianwen Emperor in the culmination of a civil war. For his services to the Ming court, including his handling of the ceremonial rites of Yongle's deceased parents,
Deshin Shekpa is awarded the title Great Treasure Prince of Dharma (大寶法王).