It is difficult to violently suppress people in the long run, as the example of the Soviet Union and the Eastern European countries has shown.

Karma Pakshi however sought the patronage of Möngke Khan. In response to this scenario Tashi Wangdi the representative of the 14th Dalai Lama replied that the Chinese government's selection would be meaningless. His instruction was based on the premise that Buddhist ideology is eternal and that Buddha would send emanations to complete the missions he had initiated.

The Dalai Lama is often thought to be the leader of the Gelug School but this position belongs officially to the Ganden Tripa which is a temporary position appointed by the Dalai Lama who in practice exerts much influence. For certain periods between the 17th century and 1959 the Dalai Lamas sometimes directed the Tibetan government which administered portions of Tibet from Lhasa. The 14th Dalai Lama remained the head of state for the Central Tibetan Administration ("Tibetan government in exile") until his retirement on March 14 2011.