Mongolia

A survey of how the revival of Buddhism was carried out in Mongolia after 1990, its main steps and the circumstances and issues surrounding its reestablishment and the reopening of its temples and monasteries.

During the first millennium CE, Muslims were interested to learn of the beliefs of the peoples they had conquered and now ruled, including Buddhism, while Buddhists were interested in other beliefs only when they were vying with them in debate for royal patronage and that...

Overview of the three waves of Buddhism reaching Mongolia from Central Asia and then Tibet, the subsequent exploitation of Buddhism by the Manchus, its suppression under the communist regime and the initial efforts at its revival.

Interview with Dr. Berzin for “Buddhism in Kalmykia” publication, in Elista, Kalmykia, 2009.

The legend of Shambhala was used by Mongol rebels against the Soviets in the “Shambhala Wars” as well as by the Japanese in attempts to control Mongolia in the 1920s and 30s.

At the beginning of the 19th century, the Eighth Dalai Lama sent Gyelse Dorjechang from his own Namgyal Monastery to establish the main Kalachakra Monastery of Mongolia, Dechen Kalawa. Kalachakra practice was spread throughout Mongolia by the Fourth and Fifth Bogdo Gegens.

Tibetan language and culture spread and interacted with many other civilizations. The Tibetan traditions have evolved over the centuries, and this process of evolution and growth must continue.