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Culture
 Various forms of Tengriism and Shamanism have been widely practiced throughout the history of what is now modern day Mongolia; as such beliefs were common among nomadic people in Asian history. Such beliefs mostly gradually gave way to Tibetan Buddhism, but Shamanism has left a mark on Mongolian religious culture. Indeed, it continues to be practiced. Some archaeologists believe that shamanism, the native religion, existed in Mongolia as early as 10,000 to 40,000 years ago. Mongolians are very religious people and stay faithful to their belief during their whole life. Even though, last few years other religious groups like Christians flow introduced to Mongolia strongly most of the people still belief in Buddhism. |
 Ethnographers divide Mongolia's population according to their ethnicity, but all Mongolians have one thing in common: they are nomads, or nomads at heart, even if they are urbanized. About half of the 2.3 million people live in gers, and 390.000 herdsman look after nearly 30 million livestock. They are truly nomadic, moving their gers and animals several times a year, constantly searching for better feed, water and weather. The life of a nomad, and therefore Mongolia, is inextricably linked to the environment and animals. Nomads learn to ride as soon as they can walk; they spend about half their time looking for stray animals (there are almost no fences in Mongolia), carrying a type of lasso pole called a uurga. While you are traveling around the countryside for a week or two in summer, you may think the simple nomadic lifestyle is ideal, but the long winters are desperately harsh, the food is unchanging, and looking after animals, preparing food and finding water is very hard work. |
 During communist purges in the 1930´s most monasteries in Mongolia have been destroyed. Monks have been killed or taken to Siberia, to be never heard from again. Since the fall of communism however there is a real revival of Buddhism taking place. Lama´s are trained again, old monasteries are being restored or rebuild at a different place and new monasteries arise. On this website you will find a, far from complete, overview of monasteries in Mongolia. In general a monastery would consist of various buildings on a compound. One of these buildings is the main temple, where often - though not always - the main ceremonies take place. |
 Gandan Most Buddhist Monasteries in Mongolia were destroyed during the communist regime, which lasted until 1990. One of the only to survive was Gandan Monastery, being used as a showcase for visitors. It's official name is Gandantegchinleng Khiid, this name signifies something like Great Place of Complete Joy or Great Way to the Cosmos. Literally it can be translated as: Gan = rejoyce - Dan = perfect - Teg = vehicle > Tegchin = Mahayna (Greater Vehicle) - Leng = island |
 Amarbayasgalant Monastery was build between 1726 and 1736. It is dedicated to Undur Gegeen Zanabazar and build by Ankh-Amgalan Khaan (Yongzheng?) in Manchu style. It was also heavily damaged by the communist purges, although still a great part survived. 10 out of the 37 temples and statues were destroyed. The monastery was being restored by Unesco from 1975 until reopening in 1990. At the present moment 30 monks live here within the age range of 7-90. There is big number of young monks (13) in between the age of 7 and 13, who have for a great part been picked up from orphanages around Mongolia. In the main temple is a life-size statue of Guru Deva Rinpoche who is the formal abbot of the monastery although he is only there a short time a year. From 1992 he has been putting effort in restoring temples, statues and scriptures. It is said he raised 1 million US$. |
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