Mongolia's spiritual landscape blends shamanism, Buddhism, and ancient animism. Shamanism predates Buddhism by millennia. The 1937 Stalinist purge nearly destroyed both faiths. Post-1990 revival is ongoing.
Tuvshin E.
Shamanism is Mongolia's oldest spiritual tradition. Archaeological and linguistic evidence suggests it has been practised for at least 3,000 years. Shamans are intermediaries between the physical and spiritual worlds. They diagnose illness, conduct healing rituals, communicate with ancestors, and interpret signs from nature.
Shamans wear distinctive clothing. A robe called a deel is decorated with ribbons, bells, and amulets. A drum is the primary instrument. The shaman beats it rhythmically to induce altered states.
Shamans charge fees for services. Healing ceremonies cost money. This is not volunteer work. It is a profession rooted in spiritual knowledge.
Buddhism arrived in Mongolia in the 13th century via Tibet. Tibetan Buddhists, particularly the Gelug school, influenced Mongolian khans and nobility. By the 17th century, Buddhism was the dominant religion.
Mongolian Buddhism was Tibetan Buddhism, not a distinct tradition. Monks studied in Tibetan monasteries. Texts were in Tibetan. Monasteries owned land and livestock and wielded significant economic and political influence.
In 1937, Soviet dictates reached Mongolia. Authorities determined that religion was incompatible with Socialism. Monasteries were destroyed. Monks were imprisoned, exiled, or executed. Religious texts were burned.
The scale was catastrophic. Thousands of monks died. Hundreds of monasteries were razed. Religious ceremonies went underground. Shamanism suffered equally. People alive today remember grandparents who lived through the purge.
Mongolia's transition from Soviet rule to democracy in 1990 permitted religious freedom. Gandantegchinlen Monastery was reopened. Monks trained new generations. Other monasteries reopened.
Shamanism experienced revival too. Shamans emerged from hiding. New shamans trained. Shamanism is now openly practised in many regions. It coexists with Buddhism and other beliefs.
Gandantegchinlen Monastery stands in central Ulaanbaatar. The name means Place of Complete Joy. Visitors can enter. Photography rules apply. Shoes must be removed in temple halls.
The main temple contains a 26-metre tall gold-plated statue of Janraisig (the Bodhisattva of Compassion). Monks in maroon robes conduct daily rituals.
Ovoo are sacred cairns built on mountain passes, ridges, and prominent locations. Stones are stacked by hand. Prayer flags and ribbons are tied to poles. Walking clockwise around the cairn before touching it is customary. Adding a stone is permitted. Removing stones is considered bad luck and disrespectful.
Ger doors traditionally face south. The north wall is the back, associated with the altar and sacred space. South-facing doors symbolise openness and welcoming. Many families maintain the south-facing custom.
Permission before photography is essential. Some monks decline photographs. Some shamans forbid recording rituals. Always ask first. Remove shoes when instructed. Dress modestly in religious spaces. Avoid loud conversation. Respect silence.
Shamans are not entertainers for tourists. Do not expect performances. If a shaman offers to conduct a ritual for you, understand you are participating in genuine spiritual practice.