Mongolian religious roots are bound up in Shamanism. However this religious phenomena doesn't match the conventional description of a religion in the same way as Buddhism or Christianity. Shamanism has no founder from whom its teachings originate. There is no collection of sacred sutras or a bible, as it doesn't possess any monastic: communities to preach or distribute its doctrines.

The origins of Shamanism are still unclear, but historians are certain it emerged at the same time as the first human artistic concepts of fetishism, totemism and animism to name just a few. Shamanism was the major religion during both the ancient Mongol states and the Mongol Empire until Tibetan Buddhism (also called Vajrayana Buddhism) gained more popularity after it was introduced in 13th century. Tibetan Buddhism shared the common Buddhist goals of individual release (from suffering and reincarnation). Tibet's Dalai Lama, who lives in India, is the religions spiritual leader, and is highly respected in Mongolia.

Shamanism has continued to be practiced by a few of the ethnic groups living in northern and western Mongolia, including the Tsaatan, who are more commonly known as the reindeer people. Mongolians practice ritualistic magic, nature worship, exorcism, meditation, and natural healing as part of their shamanistic heritage.

Buddhism was introduced to Mongolia from Tibet by Kublai Khan during the late 13th century. Kublai Khan invited an eminent Tibetan lama, Pagba, to be empire's religious representative. From the late 14th century onwards hundreds of Buddhist temples were rapidly built across Mongolia. Thousands of Mongolian males vowed to live as lamas at one point almost one seventh of the male population had taken robes. Until the beginning of the twentieth century Buddhism developed and spread across the country, playing an important role on both religions and intellectual spheres of life.

The 1921 People's Revolution swiftly installed a socialist regime, which officially prohibited any religious practice. During the 1930's political purges under resulted in the destruction of more than 700 temples and the death of around 10,000 lamas.

It wasn't until the early 1990's that, as part of the rise of democracy, Buddhism was revived as Mongolia's major religion. Mongolia's largest monastery-Gandan is in Ulaanbaatar. In October 1996, Gandan hosted a massive opening ceremony for its newly installed 25 meter high, 60 ton Megjid Janraisag statue, which is the symbol of the revival of Buddhism in Mongolia. The statue's name translates as "the all seeing Lord".

What are the ideas about God
Mongolian people believe in Buddhism because they have believed in God since long ago. Thus, they pray “Through my virtues may I become God”. Buddhism says that suffering is true, the reason for suffering is real and to overcome the sufferings is real. Nirvana is also real. A person becomes God if he does good deeds: purifies his body, soul, spirit and tongue; follows 10 holy virtues and avoids 10 black sins; follows God’s Holy way; follows 3 teachings of: talents, religious meditation and Samada; becomes spiritual; meditates and sacrifices for all nations and if he will be freed from the wheel of space.       
God is the creator who can distance himself from the space by his spirituality, not greedy, can stop the war and loves all nations endlessly. It is written in Buddhist scripture that God saves all people from their sufferings and helps everyone.    
 
How do Mongolians think about God
Since ancient times, Mongolians have believed in many religions. The activities of Buddhism have strong reflections. Some people think that there is a God-creator of all and that he takes his origin from the soul. Also the devil takes his origin from the soul. Everything is empty soul, goes the preaching. Some people say that there are thousands of gods in 10 directions which are called as lord of all. Shamans pray that all bushes have gods and all rocks have king. But some people think that there is no God at all, they just see paintings and clay, and claim it is better to believe in your own bull than believing in God.

What are the differences between Buddhism and Shamanism
Shamanism is the source of all religions; therefore, Mongolians believe and praise the sky, weather, water, grass and many gods of all animated things and pray to them. Buddhism is the religion which creates 6 good deeds for the help of all people, saves from the spiritual sufferings through a purified spirit brings them to Nirvana, enlightened teaching, religion, and scripture.

About Buddhism, shamanism and superstition
Buddhism has been spread in Mongolia for several times through a systematic instruction, which is the Buddhist way. Shamanism has penetrated the whole of Mongolians life, and is stored in their minds, consciously and unconsciously, like the book of mother Nature. If Shamanism keeps the human spirit within this world, Buddhism sets the human spirit free through its teachings. Superstition which says: if you do this, this will happen, if you do that, that will happen, relies on fortune-telling and bad signs (omens).
Buddhism denies superstition, and through its teachings finds the true reasons. The things that herdsmen have learned from life are not superstition. Example: After a red sunset follows a warm day. When mice collect a lot of food, winter will be severe.         

Islams
Meanwhile Mongolia's Kazakhs are Muslims. Islam is mainly practiced in Bayan-Olgii, the most western province in Mongolia. Since the mid nineties large number of Christians, Bahais and Mormons have arrived in Mongolia seeking to convert Mongolians from Buddhist to their various faiths. 



Christianity

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