Ming Investiture of Tsongkhapa's Disciple Shakya Yeshe

Timeline

1. 1409Nanjing · JiangsuTo consolidate religious-political influence over Tibet, the Yongle Emperor sent envoys into Tibet inviting Gelug founder Tsongkhapa to court. Tsongkhapa declined on grounds of advanced age and sent his chief disciple Shakya Yeshe in his stead.
2. 1414–1416Nanjing · JiangsuUpon arriving in Nanjing, Shakya Yeshe received a grand reception from the Ming court and was invested as 'Great Wisdom Dharma King' (Wanxing Yuanrong Miaohui Yuantong Youguo Hongjiao Guanding Jingmiao Xitian Fozi Dashan Fawang), receiving a gold seal and investiture patent. This established the Ming dynasty's formal investiture relationship with the Gelug lineage and provided an important precedent for the later formation of the 'Dalai Lama' title in Chinese, Tibetan, and Mongolian contexts.