Why do White ppl care about Dalai Lama?

Why do white people care about the Dalai Lama so much?  Even more so than Asian ppl?  You see, San Francisco has about 50% Asians.. yet the vast majority of ppl protesting in favor of the Dalai Lama (at least in the photos) from that city are white.

I don't get it...

>>8
i agree that religion should be kept out of politics but my point was that white people who think the Dalai Lama is super relaxed on modern issues are misinformed douche bags/left wing pinkos

not that being right wing is any better