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In reply to the discussion: The Dalai Lama, a sordid history of Nazi Mentors and forgiving Fascists [View all]HiPointDem
(20,729 posts)In the 1630s, Tibet became entangled in power struggles between the rising Manchu and various Mongol and Oirat factions. Ligden Khan of the Chakhar, retreating from the Manchu, set out to Tibet to destroy the Yellow Hat sect.
His vassal Tsogt Taij continued the fight, even having his own son Arslan killed after Arslan changed sides. Tsogt Taij was defeated and killed by Güshi Khan of the Khoshud in 1637, who would in turn become the overlord of Tibet, and act as a "Protector of the Yellow Church."[13] Güshi helped the Fifth Dalai Lama to establish himself as the highest spiritual and political authority in Tibet and destroyed any potential rivals.
Tsangyang Gyatso enjoyed a lifestyle that included drinking, the company of women, and writing love songs.[15] In 1705, Lobzang Khan of the Khoshud used the sixth Dalai Lama's escapades as excuse to take control of Tibet. The regent was murdered, and the Dalai Lama sent to Beijing. He died on the way, near Koko Nur, ostensibly from illness.
After him [Jamphel Gyatso the eighth Dalai Lama (17581804)], the 9th and 10th Dalai Lamas died before attaining their majority: one of them is credibly stated to have been murdered and strong suspicion attaches to the other.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dalai_lama
The power of Tibetan buddhism was established through the patronage of the heirs of ghengis khan, while the Khans were still a big power. the dalai lama after that one was actually himself a Khan.