[2][3] Earlier in his life as a Tibetan prince, Langdarma was Buddhist, but under the influence of Wégyel Toré (Wylie: dbas rgyal to re), he became a follower of Bon, after which he assassinated his brother King Ralpachen,[4] in 838.
[5] One of Langdarma's grandsons, Kyidé Nyima Gön (Wylie: skyid lde nyi ma gon), conquered Ngari in the late 10th century, although his army originally numbered only 300 men.
Kyidé Nyima Gön founded several towns and castles and he apparently ordered the construction of the main sculptures at Shey.
"In an inscription he says he had them made for the religious benefit of the Tsenpo (the dynastic title of his father and ancestors), and of all the people of Ngaris (Western Tibet).
[10] The anti-Buddhist portrayal of this king is well documented in primary and secondary Tibetan sources, but reinterpretations have been published from two historians,[11] most prominently Zuiho Yamaguchi.