Religion in 20th Century Mongolia: Social Changes and Popular Practices

Using oral sources, which were censored and misinterpreted under the socialist regime, the book investigates the changes of popular religious beliefs and practice in 20th century Mongolia. The 16th century onward Buddhism was dominant in the country and became so developed that 40% of male population were lamas. However, the situation was dramatically changed by the revolution of 1921. The culture and society that the new Revolutionary Government strove to change were in opposition to the Buddhist Monastery. In this battle thousands of lamas were massacred and religious beliefs of the populace were suppressed. This book illustrates how communist education, ideology and a range of policies and measures came to shape the beliefs, values and ideas of most Mongols. It also investigates reasons how and why modern Mongols converted to western religions after the collapse of the communist world. It delivers the voices of Mongols from three generations on their beliefs and values as well as on opinions about religious pluralism. The book undoubtedly makes a contribution to the sociology of religion and the studies of post communist societies.