Today, Mongolia stands at the crossroads of tradition and modernity. Yet, its spiritual core remains deeply influenced by Vajrayana Buddhism—a vibrant philosophy that continues to shape the nation’s culture and worldview.

What is Vajrayana Buddhism?

Vajrayana Buddhism, also known as Tantric or Esoteric Buddhism, is a branch of Mahayana Buddhism that emphasizes a rapid spiritual awakening through specialized practices and rituals. It originated around the 5th to 7th centuries CE in India, later flourishing in Tibet and the Himalayan region. The name “Vajrayana” means “Diamond” or “Thunderbolt Vehicle,” symbolizing the indestructible, powerful, and swift nature of its methods to achieve enlightenment. Now, what enlightenment may Vajrayana hold, you may ask? Vajrayana details that enlightenment can be achieved in a single lifetime by utilizing advanced spiritual techniques such as meditation, visualization, mantra recitation, ritual hand gestures, and symbolic diagrams like mandalas. Central to its philosophy is the non-dual view that samsara and nirvana are not separate, allowing practitioners to transform all experiences, even passions, into the path of awakening. Teaching transmission is a special and direct process from a master (guru or lama) to a student during empowerment ceremonies, making the guidance of an experienced teacher important for safe and effective practice. The tradition is known for its diverse and dynamic figures, from enlightened deities to the powerful female spirits known as dakinis. It is most visible today in the four main schools of Tibetan Buddhism–Nyingma, Kagyu, Sakya, and Gelug. The ultimate goal of all its practices is to transform our daily perceptions and experiences into a direct realization of enlightenment. (Balogh Mátyás. (2012, March 18). Shamanism in Present-Day Mongolia and a Review of Some Related Books. Shamanism in Present-Day Mongolia and a Review of Some Related Books)

How does this relate to Mongolia?

As a predominant branch of Buddhism practiced in Mongolia, Vajrayana Buddhism is important to Mongolian philosophy and culture. It was introduced during the era of the Mongol Empire and became deeply intertwined with Mongolian spiritual and political life. The tantric form of Buddhism, which promises enlightenment within a single lifetime through esoteric practices and direct master-to-student transmission, was propagated by Tibetan lamas invited by the Mongol aristocracy. Its adoption was a strategic fusion of the spiritual and the political, granting rulers legitimacy while systematically building a religious infrastructure of temples and monasteries. Philosophically, its ideas of emptiness, natural Buddha-nature, and connectedness matched indigenous beliefs, blending with shamanistic traditions to deeply change the country's culture, values, and spirituality. (Vajrayana. (2020, November 23))

tricycle.org, What is Vajrayana Buddhism, Retrieved September 3 2025

Why is this so prominent?

The crucial transformation occurred during the 13th century with the rise of Genghis Khan and especially his successors,  who embraced Tibetan Vajrayana Buddhism. Genghis Khan himself was religiously tolerant and consulted various spiritual leaders, but it was under his grandson Kublai Khan that Tibetan lamas from the Sakya school were invited to the Mongol court. This alliance not only brought Vajrayana Buddhism religious prestige but also political legitimacy and administrative support, using Tibetan influences. Mongol rulers sought spiritual sanction and legitimacy through Vajrayana Buddhist masters. The relationship between the Mongol elite and Tibetan lamas provided a means to consolidate power and promote social cohesion. Vajrayana Buddhism’s tantric rituals, deity visualizations, and shamanic-like practices resonated well with existing Mongolian shamanistic traditions. This compatibility eased its acceptance and integration with local spiritual customs, allowing Buddhism to permeate Mongolian cultural and religious life without displacing native beliefs abruptly. Over centuries, large Buddhist monastic centers were established in Mongolia, serving as hubs for religious education, public worship, and cultural preservation. These institutions were pivotal in maintaining and transmitting Vajrayana philosophical and ritual teachings. After years of suppression, particularly by the Soviet Union in the 20th century, Vajrayana Buddhism saw a revival in Mongolia as part of reclaiming the national identity and traditional culture. It remains a core element of Mongolian spirituality and philosophy today.

MeanwhileInMongolia, Mongolian Shamanism: What to Know and How to Visit One (Uploaded July 28, 2023) Retrieved September 3, 2025

Before this, what was it?

Buddhism first reached the Mongolian region in limited form as early as the 1st century CE, primarily through Central Asian cultures like the Sogdians and Uighurs. During this time, Mongolia was predominantly a shamanistic society practicing Tengrism, the indigenous religion centered on worship of the eternal blue sky (Tengri) and ancestral spirits. Tengrism deeply influences Mongolian identity and belief systems, coexisting with early Buddhist elements in the aristocracy but remaining dominant. Shamanism is an ancient spiritual pin – where a shaman acts as a mediator between the human world and the spiritual world. Shamans enter altered states of consciousness, often through drumming, chanting or rituals, to communicate with spirits for purposes like healing, guidance, divination, and spiritual protection. Central to shamanism is the belief in a spirit realm inhabited by ancestral, animal, and elemental spirits. 

Shamans perform rituals to restore balance, promote healing, and bring insight to their communities. This practice is found worldwide in diverse cultures, including Siberian, Native American, Amazonian and Mongolian traditions. Shamanism emphasizes a deep connection with nature and the spiritual forces believed to influence human life, often focusing on harmony and balance between the physical and spiritual realms.

Shamanism and Its Prominence

For millennia, Mongolian tribes practiced shamanism, centered on reverence for Tengri, the ancestral spirits, and natural forces. Shamans served as spiritual leaders, healers, and mediators with rituals. This deep-rooted shamanistic tradition shaped Mongolian culture, social structure, and worldview. Buddhism entered the Mongolian region gradually, mainly through Central Asian trade routes and cultural interactions. By the 7th to 10th centuries CE, Mahayana and Hinayana Buddhist ideas travelled via the Uighurs and other Turkic peoples, some of whom controlled parts of Mongolia before the Mongols. Although these early Buddhist influences were mostly confined to elites and did not displace shamanism broadly, they laid the groundwork for later developments. 

However, during the period leading up to the Mongol Empire, Mongolia was a crossroads of religious diversity. Nestorian Christianity, Manichaeism, and Islam also had followers among the various steppe peoples, though none had lasting dominance within the Mongolian core territories. The Mongol Empire would later adopt a policy of religious tolerance toward these faiths. Genghis Khan himself was pragmatic and tolerant towards religions. While he did not impose any religion, he recognized the spiritual authority of shamans and respected other faith leaders. This set the stage for openness to Vajrayana Buddhism when it was introduced through the Tibetan lamas in the 13th century.

The rise of the Mongol Empire allowed for closer political and cultural ties with Tibet, which facilitated the introduction of Vajrayana Buddhism. Over time, Vajrayana Buddhism gained official patronage, blended with indigenous shamanistic practices, and became the dominant religion, influencing Mongolian spiritual and political life. (Religion in Mongolia — Mongolia Tours & Travel 2021/2022)

Is it still practiced today?

Yes, shamanism is still practiced in Mongolia today. After being suppressed during the communist era, shamanism experienced a significant revival starting in the 1990s. Thousands of shamans openly practiced their rituals and spiritual work across Mongolia, including both hereditary shamans and those who felt spiritually called by their ancestors.

Shamanism remains especially strong among indigenous groups like the Darkhad, Buryats, and Uriankhai and is practiced both in rural areas and urban centers such as Ulaanbaatar, where shamanic associations and enterprises were formed. The practice continues to honor ancestral spirits, nature deities, and elements of the traditional Mongolian worldview centered on harmony between humans, nature, and the spirit realm.

This modern resurgence reflects a reclaiming of cultural identity and spiritual heritage, as many Mongolians seek connection to their ancestral roots and traditional healing practices alongside Buddhism and other religions. (Mongolia, F. (n.d.). History of Buddhism in Mongolia. FPMT Mongolia)

​​

​

​

References:

Balogh Mátyás. (2012, March 18). Shamanism in Present-Day Mongolia and a Review of Some Related Books. Shamanism in Present-Day Mongolia and a Review of Some Related Books . https://www.academia.edu/1476928/Shamanism_in_Present_Day_Mongolia_and_a_Review_of_Some_Related_Books

Mongolian shamanism. (2023, July 22). Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mongolian_shamanism

​

History of Buddhism in Mongolia. (n.d.). Studybuddhism.com.   https://studybuddhism.com/en/advanced-studies/history-culture/buddhism-in-mongolia/history-of-buddhism-in-mongolia 

‌

Religion in Mongolia — Mongolia Tours & Travel 2021/2022. (n.d.). Www.mongolian-Ways.com. https://www.mongolian-ways.com/travel-guide/mongolia-religion 

‌Buddhism - Vajrayana (Tantric or Esoteric) Buddhism. (n.d.). Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/Vajrayana-Tantric-or-Esoteric-Buddhism

Vajrayana. (2020, November 23). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vajrayana

‌Mongolia, F. (n.d.). History of Buddhism in Mongolia. FPMT Mongolia. https://www.fpmtmongolia.org/buddhism-in-mongolia/