Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism in the Mongolian Empireby Rit Nosotro
Discuss the Mongolian Empire and how they were influenced by Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism.
“When alone, watch your thoughts; when with others, your words” –Mongolian Proverb
The Mongolian Empire was influenced by three specific religions which affected
its people in different ways. These religions were Christianity, Islam, and
Buddhism. The influence of these religions is the result of the expansion and
decline of the Mongolian Empire. In the 13th century, when Genghis Khan ruled,
this empire stretched from China to Central Europe — a kingdom larger
even than those of Alexander and the Roman Caesars, covering all of Asia, Indochina,
and even Eastern Europe. No nation has yet to rival the magnitude of the Mongolian
Empire. Due to its enormity it encompassed the influences of Christianity, Islam,
The power of the Mongolians was not fully recognizable until Genghis Khan (a mighty statesman and warrior) united all the feudal clans into a powerful nation, which swept over Asia in the 13th century. It wasn’t that hard for the tribesmen to make the transition into a full-scale army. They were already skilled marksmen, fierce warriors, and great horsemen. In fact, the Mongols believed that the saddle represented the ‘bringing together’ of a man and horse. Their lifestyle revolved around this animal and its abilities. Just like the ability to walk, Mongolian children grew up into the horsemanship of their culture. But horse was not their only asset in battle. The Mongols used clever strategies of siege and surprise attacks. They even created arrows that would whistle in the air to frighten their enemies! However, despite their fierce lifestyle, the Mongols had beliefs and traditions as well in their religion of Shamanism. This religion, like their lives, was somewhat sacrificial and held together by unusual traditions such as worshipping the earth and sky. Shamanism remained a part of their culture even after the Mongols found out that there are many religions beside their own.
It is in the time of the Great Khans that the Tibetan form of Buddhism gained influence in Mongolia. At first, it appeared to be reserved for those in the upper classes but at the end of the 16th century, Altan Khan met a Tibetan Buddhist leader and gave him the title Dalai Lama. This meeting meant a revival of Buddhism in Mongolia. Later on, the great-grandson of Altan Khan was pointed as an incarnation of the Dalai Lama. This unusual declaration strengthened the ties between Mongolians and Buddhism. From that period on, Buddhism became the predominant religion in the Mongolian territories. And it changed their lives. Many of the bloody sacrifices began to stop and the Mongols found a more peaceful way of living. It slowed their expansionist war strategy as people sought a place of “inner strength” unaware that only in Christ is found abiding Peace. A passive, meditative Buddhism was embraced so tightly that it actually harmed their way of life. In the 1920s there were about 110,000 monks, making up one-third of the male population. Since most of the men went to monasteries, there was a severe drop in the population (monks take a vow of celibacy believing the sexual drive is inherently unspiritual), and in the economy’s growth. Also around that time, the Buddhist clergy controlled about 20% of the country’s wealth as the populace believed they could purchase spiritual favor. This was only 80 years ago! Today, 26% of the population still practice Buddhism. While a huge 50% practice Shamanism.
As the Mongolian Empire grew, it soon covered all of Asia. In this continent, is China, one of the largest countries in the world, and a faithful follower of Islam. This religion was introduced into northwest China by the overland route. During the Tang dynasty (618 – 907) and the Sung dynasty (960-1279), foreign trade grew steadily as Arabs, Turks and Iranians took silk, art objects, Chinese porcelain, and other commodities to the Middle East and to Europe, returning with herbs, spices, pearls, and other products of those areas. This friendly trade opened the door for Islam to come in and most of the kingdoms of central Asia converted to Islam.. When Kublai Khan (1215 – 94) became the ruler of China and Mongolia, and the founder of the Yuan dynasty, he became well-known for his tolerance of religion. During his reign, he dappled in many different religious beliefs and gave all his citizens religious freedom. And throughout the whole area the freedom of travel encouraged great crosscurrents of peoples and cultures, which brought an influx into Mongol territory of Muslim merchants, doctors, scholars, astronomers, astrologers, and high-ranking warriors who were attached to the Mongol army as advisors, military aides, and staff officers. According to the eminent Chinese historian Professor Ding Xuewu Ting, over thirty Muslims were high officials at the royal court in Peking, and the governors of nine provinces were Muslims. After the Yuan dynasty (1279 – 1368) was overthrown and followed by the Ming dynasty (1368 – 1644) many of the Mongols who had lived in China become Chinese in practice. Although Islam had a large affect on ancient Mongolia during the Yuan dynasty, today only 4% of the Mongolian population follows the Islamic ways.
Christianity came to the Mongolian steppes introduced by Nestorian missionaries from Central Asia as early as the 7th century. Yet many Mongols held fast to their belief in Shamanism. By the end of the 16th century many Mongols had converted to Lama Buddhism. The Mongolia today is rather traditional. But Christianity would not have even crossed the border if it hadn’t been for Kublai Khan whose mother was a Christian. He was the grandson of Genghis Khan and ruled when the Mongol Empire had reached its limit. It could not expand any farther, so Kublai concentrated on maintaining peace in his borders. When Marco Polo (1254 - 1323?) journeyed to China, he found evidence of Christian communities and served in the court of Kublai having become the Khan’s trusted friend. Kublai became interested in Christianity and even asked the Polo’s to bring back teachers and missionaries to his land. This request was never fulfilled. This may be one of the greatest lost missionary opportunities. Due to a continuing lack of Christian influence, the land remained in its Buddhist lifestyle. Today, they do not persecute Christians (though there are only a few), but they still firmly believe that Buddhism is the only true religion and even more so as a reaction to Christian missionary efforts. This antagonistic reaction is to preserve the Buddhist beliefs which are intertwined with Mongolian culture. They do not want to change after centuries of practicing Buddhism. However, Christian missionaries are not giving up with several working under an organization called JCS (Joint Christian Services). These people are attempting to bring the Mongols crucial development skills, often in agriculture and engineering, as well as the gospel and an evangelist’s heart. Although, less than 2% of the population believe in Christ, the church is growing rapidly. Evangelical Christian missionary efforts to obey Jesus Christ's command, "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations..." (Matthew 28:18-20), are continuing to influence the Mongols in positive ways.
Buddhism and Islam continue to affect the economy, politics, and military of Mongolia. Neither Nestorian Christianity nor Roman Catholicism retained their foothold in Mongolia. Given the cultural reputations of docile Buddhism and militant Islam, Mongolia has had difficulty developing both economically and spiritually.
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