Religion

Mongolia is a country of a unique symbiosis of various religions. Mongolia traditionally having professed polytheistic religion remains remarkably tolerant as regards of religion has always been ensured and guaranteed by the lifestyle traditions and mentality of people living in Mongolia. From time immemorial it has been practiced in Mongolia. Shamanist embraces a belief in powerful spirits who can influence people’s lives and fate. Today shamanism is on the blink of ceasing to exist with only few superficial rituals being practiced in some out of the away places. Buddhism of Mongolia-Lamaism has many followers in today’s Mongolia. According to chronicles, Buddhism came to Mongolia around the 13^th century B.C as a religion of the court. Between 6-11 centuries, many Buddhism sutras were translated into Mongolia and in the 13^th century the very first Buddhist temples were built. Chinggis khan who is known to be extraordinarily tolerant as regards religious rituals, encouraged Buddhism and Islamic devotions. Khubilai khan is alleged to have first confirmed a title of Dalai Lama (Dalai Lama in Mongolia a means a monk of immeasurable knowledge) from upon a Lama from Tibet. The first Dalai Lama converted Mongolia King Altan Khan and his subjects to Buddhism in 1578. During the rule of Altai Khan the famous monastery of Erdene-Zuu was built a popular tourist destination at present.

At the beginning of the 20^th century, Mongolia has hundreds of Buddhist monasteries and about 30 percent of all men were monks. Communists led an anti-reliqious campaign in the 1930s, which nearly destroyed the extensive system of monasteries. Democratic reform that started in 1990 allowed freedom of religion; well over 100 monasteries have reopened. Mongolia used to be the second, after Tibet, stronghold of Buddhist religion.

In early time, in the Western part of Mongolia Islam is professed by the Kazakhs so Kazakh Muslims are allowed to practice Islam.

In seven decades Buddhism was almost eradicated, but the liberalization of 1990 allowed its peaceful revival. Now more than 140 Buddhist monasteries have been set up a new.

Under this newly found freedom of belief, other religions flocked in, including more than 80 churches and cults of various forms of Christianity are being introduced by Western missionaries.