Leading spirit: Dalai lama's visit highlights Buddhist revival

Article Abstract:

A recent religious event in Mongolia featured Tibet's exiled Dalai Lama and demonstrated the latent strength of faith in this land recently freed from official atheism. The event, a week-long Buddhist revival camp followed by a three-day Tantric ceremony called Kalachakra Empowerment, drew 37,000 Mongolians, or 2% of the national population. While the Dalai Lama had laid the groundwork for the occasion over five years, other religions have also flocked to the area, regarding it as a promising locale for finding converts.

Beliefs, opinions and attitudes, Dalai Lama

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Back to the old faith

Article Abstract:

China is getting increasingly worried over the revival of Buddhism in Mongolia. Although Mongolia used to be a virtual lamaist theocracy, 70 years of Soviet rule eradicated almost all traces of Buddhism in the country. The return to the country of Kushok Bakula, whom devotees claim to be the 20th incarnation of the Buddhist sage Bakula Arhat, has renewed religious interests among Mongolians. However, China remains wary of the Mongolian religious renewal.

Political aspects

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Faltering steppes

Article Abstract:

Mongolia is in danger of economic collapse after the disintegration of the former USSR. In exchange for using Mongolia as a military buffer against China, the former USSR previously subsidized the country's economy. The ending of the Cold War has drastically reduced the country's geopolitical importance. However, Mongolia's underdeveloped and resource-rich lands present China with numerous economic and political opportunities.

Analysis, Economic aspects, Cover Story, International relations

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