BUDDHIST MONASTERIES AND STATE SUPPORT IN MONGOLIA A BRIEF OVERVIEW

Abstract

During the history of Mongolian Buddhism the State has always significant role in supporting religion and monasteries. Möngke Khan held the first religious dispute of Buddhist, Muslim and Christian monks in the 13th century and gently allowed all foreign devotees to practice their own religion and pray for the Mongolian State. This Mongolian court`s relationship deepened with Buddhism during the period of Khubilai Khan (13th century), Altan Khan and Ligdan Khan (16th century, 17th century), Avtai Sain Khan (16th century), and also with the Khalkha Khans during the Manchu period. The Eighth Bogd Jebtsundamba Khutugtu became the Bogd Khaan, the theocratic king of the sovereign Mongolia (1911-1921): his realm brought the Golden Age of Mongolian Buddhism and monasteries. The only political formation that ceased Buddhism and the operation of monasteries was socialism, when only one monastery,
Gandantegchenlin Monastery could run operation from 1944 until the democratic changes in 1990 when religious practices became free again. The presentation will cite some examples from the supportive relation and fruitful
cooperation of emperors, khans, nobles, statesmen with Buddhist monasteries, monk communities and monks, and also mention some present-day problems including similarities and differences. For instance, during the Manchu period monks were released from ‘state oblige’ including military services and taxation. In the 1930s when socialism started monks were enrolled to the army. Those monks, who did not want to perform military service had to pay
military tax. Monks were registered based on their ranks, age, and incomes in the 1920s-1920 as the State and Religion become totally separated, and finally religion was ceased, and monasteries were destroyed. Religious practices became are free again in the 1990s, many monasteries were rebuilt, new monasteries were founded, and the number of monks is increased. However, as monasteries are handled equal to other organizations and enterprises they pay tax. Monks themselves have military obligation and pay different types of taxes. The presentation will raise some ideas about the old, current and future relations of the State and Monast