몽골-티베트 관계의 문을 연 “대칸” ― 諸王 쿠텐(Köten, 1208-1251)의 생애와 관련 기록 연구 ― = “Great Khan” Who Opened the Door of Mongolian-Tibetan Relations — A Study of Records Related to the Life of Prince Köten (1208-1251) —

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

Some of the Mongol historical records compiled in the 17th century have puzzled scholars, as they refer to Küten, a son of Ögedei, as a Great Khan. Küten was a prince who remained so until his death.
While stationed in the ancient land of Xixia, he sent an army to Central Tibet and summoned the head of the Sakyapa sect as a representative of Tibet. A famous Sakyapa lama, Sakya Pandita, came as a delegate. He improved Küten's health and even manifested that Küten was the reincarnation of a former Xixia Emperor. Küten would have been well aware that the nobility of Xixia revered Tibetan Buddhism and he also developed a deep belief in Tibetan Buddhism through Sakya Pandita. He also granted authority to the Sakyapa sect to govern Tibet while the specifics are not clear.
After the Mongol imperial position transitioned from the Ögödeids to the Toluids, a son of Tolui, Khubilai, upon hearing of the reputation of Sakya Pandita, requested that he be sent to his presence. Küten's son brought his disciple and nephew Phagpa, citing the elderly age of the lama. Khubilai was initially disappointed by the arrival of the nephew but, upon hearing teachings on Buddhist doctrine from the young man, he also became his disciple. Now, the partnership with the Sakyapa sect has shifted from Küten to Khubilai. After many twists and turns, Khubilai rose to the position of the Great Khan and appointed Phagpa as the Imperial Preceptor, a system that continued until the end of the Empire.
The records of the Sakyapa during the Mongol Empire era are not currently available, but we can see that records of them from the 15th century onwards refer to Küten as “rgyal po,” meaning “Emperor” or “Great Khan.” Küten was the first Mongol royal member who established the official relationship between the Mongols and Tibet, and by inviting the Sakyapa lama as a representative, he was recorded as “Great Khan Küten” by the Sakyapa sect, who elevated their own authority through this title.
More than 200 years after fleeing north due to the Ming army's pursuit, the Mongols once again embraced Tibetan Buddhism and received their own history in reverse from Sakya lamas, recording it as it was. This process was the background that confused scholars.