“Hidden” history of “Tengri” religion in Mongolia — 1

Mongolia is well know as “Buddhist” country in the world. Then I need to write brief history about Buddhism and Tengrism in Mongolia.

Shamanic religion is the most ancient religion in the world. Pictures on rocks tell ancient shamanic religion history. As “mentioned” in “books on the rock”. ancient people used to pray for sun and fire.

Buddhism is started about 2500 years ago in India. Historians tell Buddhism penetrated to Mongolia 3 times which are following:

1. 2200 years ago, during empire of Hun
2. 750 years ago, during empire of Yuan
3. Since 300 years ago, during empire of Qing(Manchu)

In my opinion, 1 and 2 are not really mongols where Buddhist. Hun and Yuan empires used to consist of many kind of cultures. Buddhist people were under rule of Hun government doesn’t mean all the mongols were Buddhist.

Third Buddhist penetration was aggressive and mortal. It was forced to become a way to rule mongols.

During this time Manchu empire was growing powerful and Buddhism was getting powerful in Tibet. In the beginning of war Manchus and Mongols, Tibet and Mongols were standing against Manchu. Mongols were brave warriors, Tibetians were rich buddhists. Rulers of Tibet were looking for protection against Manchu and the found a way to protect themselves is ruling Mongols by their religion.

First, rulers of Tibet gave respect to some Mongolian rulers and advertised Buddhist religion has merciful and humanitarian sides. Mongolian rulers liked because there were exhausted of wars. During this time Mongols were divided many parts and fought for throne. Mongol rulers decided to spread buddhism among mongols. They had hope to rule Mongols without war, peaceful with Buddhism.

It was fall of tengri religion in mongolia. Because all people used to believe in tengri. Mongols were organized as family clan. Every family clan has at least one shaman. They used to ask solution of their problem from their shamans. Perhaps shamans were more powerful than governors.

One of Mongolian rulers Abtai khan called all of shamans (under his rule) and burned them all. “If you can do miracle, help yourself” he said. In myths, 7 shamans (in some myths say they were 9) flied over the people and saved their lives. After this massive execution, he let them to live in the forest and gave proof he will never attack them. Shamans moved to forest near Khuvsgul lake, and named them as “darkhad” which means “Sacred promise” in Mongolian language. Since this event, among mongol people has words “Darkhad shamans are angry!”, “Beware of darkhad shamans!”.

I tried to explain one of reasons why tengrism is mysterious. It will be continued later.