Abstract
The researcher outlines religion in Mongolia and examines how it has been reflected by changing values, while tracing political transformations and historical transitions from pastoral nomadism to urbanization and modernization. Resembling Mongolian society with a large family, living in a big ger, a round nomadic tent, the researcher identifies its two pillars: one is the family and the other is members, well established in the common Faith. The paper investigates the relationship of the two pillars to the religion and shared values of Mongols from feudalism to capitalism via socialism. The study also suggests several possible reasons why Mongols, whose society had been entirely Buddhist for four centuries, and secular for about 70 years up to 1989, converted to Christianity after the collapse of the communist world. It also reveals women’s and men’s roles in the conversion to both Buddhism and Christianity in modern Mongolia. The research is based on document analyses and oral histories of both religious and nonreligious Mongols with different backgrounds.
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
MONGOLIAN SOCIETY, HISTORY, RELIGION, FAMILY, VALUE
