U469  Mongolia:  Theocracy, Communism, Democracy
(formerly Mongols of the 20th Century)

Week 2:  Thursday

Second pillar: the Buddhist church

  1. Tibetan Buddhism introduced under Qubilai (1260-1294)
    1. Qubilai and Phagpa, and so on: alms-owner (patron) and offering-site (priest)
      1. Alms owner (householder): gives alms, builds merit for self, realm
      2. Offering site (monk): teaches liberation, karmic influences help realm
      3. Alms may include people as well; monks need support
    2. Cooperation of church and state: khoyar yosu "two customs"
      1. Inherited from Tibet, from India
      2. Emperor called "wheel-turning Khan" chakravartin
      3. Cleric called guoshi "state preceptor," dishi "imperial preceptor"
  2. Second Conversion
    1. In Latter Yuan, Buddhism weak, not entirely disappeared
      1. Tibetan Buddhism actively preserved in Ming court
    2. 1570's, jinong and nobles of Ordos, Tümed war in Tibet, contact lamas
    3. 1577: Altan, Tümed nobleman, meets Tibetan cleric revives khoyar yosu
      1. Altan receives title of khan (not Dai Yuwan), cakravartin
      2. Sönam-Gyamtsho receives title Dalai Lama ("Ocean Guru")
      3. Sönam-Gyamtsho says: I am Phagpa reincarnate, you are Qubilai
      4. Gives Altan status against Dai Yuwan Khan, Ordos jinong
    4. This new model widely followed by local rulers: Buddhist khanates
      1. 1586: Khalkha ruler, Abatai invites Dalai Lama, receives also title Khan
      2. Two other Khalkhas also receives title: 3 khans of Khalkha
        1. Tüshiyetü Khan (Abatai’s), Setsen Khan, Zasagtu Khan
      3. Jibzundamba Khutugtu: offering site of Khalkha: Aru bogda "N. Holy one"
        1. 1639: Zanabazar, 1st one found, son of Gombodorji, Tüshiyetü Khan
      4. Khalkha is thus self-contained political-religious confederation
        1. illustrated at great danshug (naadam) celebrations
        2. Great Shabi ("disciples"); special subjects at Jibzun damba
  3. Buddhist culture: 1577-1691
    1. Ancestral spirit dolls (ongghod) destroyed, Tibetan law codes promulgated
    2. Temples built in Chinese and Tibetan style (Erdeni Zuu, etc.)
      1. Zanabazar: famous Buddhist sculptor, artist
    3. Translation of Buddhist scriptures from Tibetan to Mongolia
    4. Chronicles written down, Buddhist and Chinggisid themes stitched together
      1. Erdeni tunumal "Jewel Transluscent" (bio of Altan Khaan)
      2. Erdeni-yin tobchi "Jeweled Chronicle" (Saghang Sechen, Ordos)
      3. Altan tobchi "Gold Chronicle" (two version, from Chakhar)