Buddhism in Mongolia derives much of its characteristics from Tibetan Buddhism, which arrived in the region in two waves. The first one was during the time of Genghis Khan and later, his grandson Kublai Khan. The second wave occurred in the 16th century when the Dalai Lama school came to Mongolia in the latter part of the century. Both of these had been preceded much earlier in history during the reign of Emperor Ashoka, monarch of the pre-historic Maurya Empire three centuries before Christ.
Mongolia has a rich culture of Buddhism. Ruins of ancient cities and Buddhist temples are still found in the Mongolian countryside. The ruins of remote monasteries located on the towering mountains and evidence of the rich culture of Buddhism can also be witnessed in the Buddhist temples in Mongolia. They are often located on mountainsides.
The local music also reflects a deep love and pride that Mongolians have for their country. Khoomi singing, as the unique style of Mongolian throat singing, is famous all over the world. Khoomi singers produce harmonic tones that can mirror the sounds of waterfalls or the gentle rustle of the wind blowing sand over the steppes. The most recognisable is the deep chanting chorus of the Buddhist monks. It can be quite mysterious and mesmerising at the same time.
Karakorum was the capital of the Mongol empire in the middle of the 13th century. It has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Erdene Zuu monastery of Saskyapa is one of the earliest in the country and houses 108 stupas. The boundary of the temple complex is unique with carved stone turtles along the periphery. The Saskyapa School, located in the Ovorkhangai province of Karakorum tries to maintain equilibrium between erudition and meditation. After lying ruins for many years, the monastery was reconstructed at the end of the last century and is now maintained by the democratic government of Mongolia.
Mongolia has a rich culture of Buddhism. Ruins of ancient cities and Buddhist temples are still found in the Mongolian countryside. The ruins of remote monasteries located on the towering mountains and evidence of the rich culture of Buddhism can also be witnessed in the Buddhist temples in Mongolia. They are often located on mountainsides.
The local music also reflects a deep love and pride that Mongolians have for their country. Khoomi singing, as the unique style of Mongolian throat singing, is famous all over the world. Khoomi singers produce harmonic tones that can mirror the sounds of waterfalls or the gentle rustle of the wind blowing sand over the steppes. The most recognisable is the deep chanting chorus of the Buddhist monks. It can be quite mysterious and mesmerising at the same time.
Karakorum was the capital of the Mongol empire in the middle of the 13th century. It has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Erdene Zuu monastery of Saskyapa is one of the earliest in the country and houses 108 stupas. The boundary of the temple complex is unique with carved stone turtles along the periphery. The Saskyapa School, located in the Ovorkhangai province of Karakorum tries to maintain equilibrium between erudition and meditation. After lying ruins for many years, the monastery was reconstructed at the end of the last century and is now maintained by the democratic government of Mongolia.
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