The extension of Communist Russian domination into Outer Mongolia in 1920 and of Communist Chinese domination over Inner Mongolia as well as Tibet in 1949 and 1951 created the problem of relations between communism and Lamaism, the religion and main cultural force of these areas. Communist policies towards Lamaism provide no exception to Communist religious policies as a whole. Nevertheless, the Communist appeal seems to have found some points of departure in certain Lamaist notions. These Lamaist ideas may, therefore, have a political relevance in the penetration of Communist ideas into the areas of Lamaist culture.