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Total Categories: 7
According to the 2020 census, Buddhism is the largest religion in Mongolia, practiced by over half of the population.
Answer: True
The 2020 Mongolia census indicates that Buddhism is practiced by 51.7% of the population, making it the largest religion.
Mongolian Buddhism primarily derives its contemporary characteristics from Mahayana Tibetan Buddhism, specifically the Sakya lineage.
Answer: False
Mongolian Buddhism largely derives its recent characteristics from Vajrayana Tibetan Buddhism, specifically the Gelug and Kagyu lineages, not primarily Sakya.
According to the 2020 Mongolia census, what percentage of the population practices Buddhism?
Answer: 51.7%
The 2020 Mongolia census states that 51.7% of the population practices Buddhism.
From which specific Buddhist lineages does Buddhism in Mongolia primarily derive its recent characteristics?
Answer: Gelug and Kagyu
Buddhism in Mongolia largely derives its recent characteristics from Vajrayana Tibetan Buddhism, specifically from the Gelug and Kagyu lineages.
Vajrayana Buddhism first began to spread in Mongolia during the 16th century, coinciding with the reemergence of the Mongol Empire.
Answer: False
Vajrayana Buddhism in Mongolia began with the conversion of the emperors of the Yuan dynasty, which ruled from 1271 to 1368, not in the 16th century.
Prior to the reemergence of Buddhism in the 16th and 17th centuries, Mongols primarily practiced Zoroastrianism and Manichaeism.
Answer: False
After the collapse of the Mongol Empire and before the 16th-17th century reemergence of Buddhism, Mongols largely reverted to traditional shamanic practices, not Zoroastrianism or Manichaeism.
Buddhism first entered the Mongolian steppes from China during the Han Dynasty.
Answer: False
The earliest introduction of Buddhism into the Mongolian steppes occurred during the periods of nomadic empires, penetrating Mongolia from Nepal via Central Asia, not from China during the Han Dynasty.
The Sogdian language was important for the early transmission of Buddhist terms of Sanskrit origin into Mongolian.
Answer: True
The Sogdian language served as a crucial linguistic conduit for the early transmission of Buddhist terms of Sanskrit origin into Mongolian.
The Xiongnu and Xianbei empires were among the nomadic empires that showed patronage towards Buddhism in the first millennium CE.
Answer: True
Rulers of nomadic empires such as the Xiongnu and Xianbei received Buddhist missionaries and constructed temples in the first millennium CE.
The Khitan aristocracy viewed Buddhism as an indigenous tradition before the rise of the Liao dynasty.
Answer: False
The Khitan aristocracy regarded Buddhism as part of the culture of the Uyghur Khaganate, not an indigenous Khitan tradition, before the rise of the Liao dynasty.
The oldest known Mongolian language translations of Buddhist literature were translated directly from Sanskrit.
Answer: False
The oldest known Mongolian language translations of Buddhist literature were translated from the Uyghur language and contain Turkic words.
The second major introduction of Buddhism among the Mongols occurred in the 13th and 14th centuries, facilitated by Kublai Khan and the Sakya school.
Answer: True
The second major introduction of Buddhism to the Mongols took place during the 13th and 14th centuries, initiated by Kublai Khan and the Sakya school.
During the Yuan dynasty, Nestorian Christianity was the dominant religion among Mongols, significantly altering Mongolian Buddhism.
Answer: False
During the Yuan dynasty, the Church of the East (Nestorian Christianity) was a significant cultural factor for Mongols, indirectly influencing Buddhism, but it remained a minority religion, not the dominant one.
The 'Phags-pa script was developed by Kublai Khan to unify the writing systems of his multilingual empire, based on the Chinese script.
Answer: False
The 'Phags-pa script was based on the Tibetan script, not the Chinese script.
Tibetan Buddhist monasticism had little influence on the political roles of the sangha in early Mongolian Buddhism.
Answer: False
Tibetan Buddhist monasticism significantly influenced the early development of Mongolian Buddhism, with the sangha holding important political roles.
After the collapse of the Yuan dynasty in 1368, the Mongols largely adopted Islam as their primary religion.
Answer: False
Following the collapse of the Yuan dynasty in 1368, the Mongols reverted to their traditional shamanic practices.
When did Vajrayana Buddhism first begin to spread in Mongolia?
Answer: With the conversion of the emperors of the Yuan dynasty (1271-1368)
Vajrayana Buddhism in Mongolia began with the conversion of the emperors of the Yuan dynasty, which ruled from 1271 to 1368.
What religious traditions were prevalent among the Mongols after the collapse of the Mongol Empire and before the reemergence of Buddhism?
Answer: Shamanic traditions, worship of Heaven and ancestors
After the collapse of the Mongol Empire, Mongols largely reverted to shamanic traditions, including the worship of Heaven and ancestors.
How did Buddhism initially enter the Mongolian steppes during the first millennium CE?
Answer: From Nepal via Central Asia
The earliest introduction of Buddhism into the Mongolian steppes occurred during the periods of nomadic empires, penetrating Mongolia from Nepal via Central Asia.
Which language served as an important linguistic conduit for adopting Buddhist terms of Sanskrit origin into Mongolian during the early spread of Buddhism?
Answer: Sogdian
Many Buddhist terms of Sanskrit origin were adopted into Mongolian via the Sogdian language, highlighting its importance as a linguistic conduit.
Which of the following nomadic empires showed patronage towards Buddhism in the first millennium CE?
Answer: Xiongnu and Xianbei
Rulers of nomadic empires such as the Xiongnu and Xianbei received Buddhist missionaries and constructed temples in the first millennium CE.
How did the Khitan aristocracy view Buddhism before the rise of the Liao dynasty?
Answer: As part of the culture of the Uyghur Khaganate
The Khitan aristocracy regarded Buddhism as part of the culture of the Uyghur Khaganate, which had dominated the Mongolian steppes prior to the emergence of the Liao dynasty.
What is notable about the oldest known Mongolian language translations of Buddhist literature?
Answer: They were translated from the Uyghur language and contain Turkic words.
The oldest known Mongolian language translations of Buddhist literature were translated from the Uyghur language and contain Turkic words.
Who facilitated the second major introduction of Buddhism among the Mongols during the 13th and 14th centuries?
Answer: Kublai Khan and the Sakya school
The second major introduction of Buddhism among the Mongols was facilitated by Kublai Khan and the Sakya school during the 13th and 14th centuries.
Which of the following was a significant cultural factor for Mongols during the Yuan dynasty, indirectly influencing Mongolian Buddhism, despite remaining a minority religion?
Answer: The Church of the East (Nestorian Christianity)
During the Yuan dynasty, the Church of the East (Nestorian Christianity) was a significant cultural factor for Mongols, indirectly influencing Mongolian Buddhism, despite its minority status.
What was the primary purpose of the 'Phags-pa script commissioned by Kublai Khan?
Answer: To unify the diverse writing systems of his multilingual empire
Kublai Khan commissioned the 'Phags-pa script to unify the diverse writing systems of his multilingual empire, serving as the official script.
What significant role did Tibetan Buddhist monasticism play in the early development of Mongolian Buddhism?
Answer: The sangha held important political roles.
Tibetan Buddhist monasticism significantly influenced early Mongolian Buddhism, with the sangha (Buddhist monkhood) holding important political roles.
What happened to Mongolian religious traditions after the collapse of the Yuan dynasty in 1368?
Answer: They reverted to their traditional shamanic practices.
Following the collapse of the Yuan dynasty in 1368, the Mongols reverted to their traditional shamanic practices.
Mongol activities were instrumental in promoting the Sakya and later the Gelug schools, contributing to Tibeto-Mongolian culture.
Answer: True
Mongol activities were pivotal in advancing the Sakya and subsequently the Gelug schools, thereby fostering the development of a distinct Tibeto-Mongolian culture.
Hutuhtai Secen Hongtaiji invaded Tibet in 1566 and demanded submission from its ruling clergy.
Answer: True
Hutuhtai Secen Hongtaiji, an Ordos Mongol leader, invaded Tibet in 1566 and issued an ultimatum that compelled the ruling Tibetan clergy to submit.
Altan Khan reestablished Buddhism in Mongolia in 1578 by inviting the 3rd Dalai Lama, head of the Sakya lineage, to a summit.
Answer: False
Altan Khan invited the 3rd Dalai Lama, who was the head of the Gelug lineage, not the Sakya lineage.
During their 1578 meeting, Altan Khan bestowed the title 'Dalai Lama' upon Sonam Gyatso, and in return, Sonam Gyatso recognized Altan Khan as a reincarnation of Genghis Khan.
Answer: False
Sonam Gyatso recognized Altan Khan as a reincarnation of Kublai Khan, not Genghis Khan.
The Gelug school's expansion across Mongolia after Altan Khan's death was partly due to Mongol aristocrats seeking religious sanction for unification.
Answer: True
The Gelug school's spread after Altan Khan's death was indeed facilitated by competing Mongol aristocrats seeking religious legitimation for their unification efforts.
What was the outcome of Mongol activities regarding Buddhist schools and culture?
Answer: They were instrumental in promoting the Sakya and subsequently the Gelug school, developing Tibeto-Mongolian culture.
Mongol activities were pivotal in advancing the Sakya and subsequently the Gelug schools, thereby fostering the development of a distinct Tibeto-Mongolian culture.
Who was Hutuhtai Secen Hongtaiji, and what was his interaction with Tibet in 1566?
Answer: A Mongol leader from Ordos who invaded Tibet and demanded submission.
Hutuhtai Secen Hongtaiji was an Ordos Mongol leader who invaded Tibet in 1566 and demanded submission from its ruling clergy.
How did Altan Khan contribute to the reestablishment of Buddhism in Mongolia in the 16th century?
Answer: He invited the 3rd Dalai Lama, head of the Gelug lineage, forging an alliance.
Altan Khan reestablished Buddhism in Mongolia in 1578 by inviting the 3rd Dalai Lama, head of the Gelug lineage, to a summit, forging a significant alliance.
What significant title did Altan Khan bestow upon Sonam Gyatso during their 1578 meeting?
Answer: Dalai Lama
During their 1578 meeting, Altan Khan bestowed the title 'Dalai Lama' upon Sonam Gyatso.
What was one factor that facilitated the spread of the Gelug school across Mongolia after Altan Khan's death?
Answer: Competing Mongol aristocrats seeking religious sanction for unification.
The Gelug school's expansion after Altan Khan's death was partly facilitated by competing Mongol aristocrats seeking religious legitimation and popular support for their efforts to unify the Mongol peoples.
The Qianlong Emperor encouraged the discovery of reincarnations of living Buddhas within Mongolian noble families to strengthen their power.
Answer: False
The Qianlong Emperor outlawed the practice of discovering reincarnations of living Buddhas within Mongolian noble families, aiming to centralize control and weaken noble power.
Qing founding emperor Hong Taiji sponsored Tibetan Buddhism primarily to control the Manchus.
Answer: False
Qing founding emperor Hong Taiji sponsored Tibetan Buddhism primarily to garner support during his campaign against Ligdan Khan, and Qing rulers generally used it to control Mongolians and Tibetans, not primarily Manchus.
The Qianlong Emperor's patronage of Tibetan Buddhist art was partly influenced by the association of Manchu rulership with the Bodhisattva Manjusri.
Answer: True
The Qianlong Emperor's patronage of Tibetan Buddhist art and translations was influenced by the long-standing association of Manchu rulership with the Bodhisattva Manjusri.
What policy did the Qianlong Emperor implement regarding the reincarnation of living Buddhas in Mongolia?
Answer: He outlawed the practice within Mongolian noble families.
The Qianlong Emperor outlawed the practice of discovering reincarnations of living Buddhas within Mongolian noble families, a policy designed to centralize imperial control and weaken noble power.
According to Manchu historian Jin Qicong, what was the Qing rulers' primary motivation for promoting Buddhism?
Answer: To use it as a tool to control Mongolians and Tibetans.
Manchu historian Jin Qicong asserted that Qing rulers promoted Buddhism primarily as a tool for controlling Mongolians and Tibetans.
What influenced the Qianlong Emperor's patronage of Tibetan Buddhist art and translations?
Answer: His personal interest and the association of Manchu rulership with Bodhisattva Manjusri.
The Qianlong Emperor's patronage of Tibetan Buddhist art and canonical translations was influenced by the association of Manchu rulership with Bodhisattva Manjusri and his personal interest in Tibetan Buddhism.
How did the Qianlong Emperor undermine the power of the Khalkha nobles regarding the Jebtsundamba reincarnation?
Answer: He appointed a Tibetan from the Lithang royal family as the 3rd reincarnated Jebtsundamba.
The Qianlong Emperor deliberately undermined Khalkha noble power by appointing Ishi-damba-nima, a Tibetan from the Lithang royal family, as the 3rd reincarnated Jebtsundamba, bypassing the Khalkha Mongol candidate.
Viharas (datsan) were constructed in Mongolia primarily in isolated mountain regions to avoid shamanistic influence.
Answer: False
Viharas (datsan) were strategically located at intersections of trade and migration routes or in summer pastures, often where shamanistic rituals traditionally occurred, rather than in isolated mountain regions to avoid influence.
Buddhist monks successfully took over some traditional functions of indigenous shamans, such as healing and divining.
Answer: True
Buddhist monks engaged in a struggle with indigenous shamans, successfully usurping traditional functions like healing and divining.
The Buddhist church and the state in Mongolia maintained a relationship of mutual support during the period of Buddhist expansion.
Answer: True
During the period of Buddhist expansion, the Buddhist church and the state mutually supported each other, solidifying Buddhism's societal position.
By the early 20th century, Mongolian monasteries controlled an estimated 50% of the country's wealth.
Answer: False
By the early 20th century, Outer Mongolian monasteries and temple complexes controlled an estimated 20% of the country's wealth.
Ikh Huree (Ulaanbaatar) was the seat of the 8th Jebtsundamba Khutuktu, who held the highest position in the ecclesiastical hierarchy after the Dalai Lama.
Answer: False
The 8th Jebtsundamba Khutuktu held the third highest position in the ecclesiastical hierarchy, after the Dalai Lama and the Panchen Lama.
Many herders dedicated themselves and their families to monastic service to escape the arbitrary demands of the nobility.
Answer: True
Herders dedicated themselves and their families to monastic service either out of religious devotion or to escape the arbitrary demands of the nobility, contributing to monastic wealth and influence.
In the 1920s, approximately one-third of the male population in Mongolia were monks, including children.
Answer: True
In the 1920s, approximately 110,000 monks, including children, constituted about one-third of the male population in Mongolia.
Ordinary Mongolians generally viewed their monks as lazy and corrupt, aligning with foreign observers' criticisms.
Answer: False
Ordinary Mongolians held a nuanced view, acknowledging individual monks' flaws but maintaining a profound reverence for the church's transcendent values, contrasting with purely negative foreign observations.
Where were viharas (datsan) strategically located to aid the spread of Buddhism in Mongolia?
Answer: At intersections of trade and migration routes or in summer pastures.
Viharas (datsan) were strategically located at intersections of trade and migration routes or in summer pastures, serving as centers for Buddhist practice.
How did Buddhist monks interact with indigenous shamans during the spread of Buddhism in Mongolia?
Answer: They engaged in a struggle, taking over some traditional functions like healing and divining.
Buddhist monks engaged in a prolonged struggle with indigenous shamans, successfully usurping traditional functions such as healing and divining.
What characterized the relationship between the Buddhist church and the state during the period of Buddhist expansion in Mongolia?
Answer: A relationship of mutual support.
During the period of Buddhist expansion, the Buddhist church and the state in Mongolia maintained a relationship of mutual support, which solidified Buddhism's societal position.
By the early 20th century, what percentage of Outer Mongolia's wealth was controlled by monasteries and temple complexes?
Answer: Approximately 20%
By the early 20th century, Outer Mongolian monasteries and temple complexes controlled an estimated 20% of the country's wealth.
What was the significance of Ikh Huree (Ulaanbaatar) in early 20th-century Mongolia?
Answer: It was the seat of the 8th Jebtsundamba Khutuktu, holding the third highest ecclesiastical position.
Ikh Huree (Ulaanbaatar) was the seat of the 8th Jebtsundamba Khutuktu, who held the third highest position in the ecclesiastical hierarchy after the Dalai Lama and the Panchen Lama.
How did monasteries accumulate wealth and power over centuries in Mongolia?
Answer: Through donations of dependent families by nobles and herders dedicating themselves to monastic service.
Monasteries accumulated wealth and power through donations of dependent families by nobles and herders dedicating themselves and their families to monastic service.
In the 1920s, what proportion of the adult male population in Mongolia was accounted for by monks, according to a 1935 party source?
Answer: 48%
A party source from 1935 claimed that monks accounted for 48% of the adult male population in Mongolia.
Despite negative foreign observations, how did ordinary Mongolians generally perceive their monks?
Answer: They held a profound reverence for the church's transcendent values, despite acknowledging individual flaws.
Ordinary Mongolians combined a realistic, cynical anticlericalism, acknowledging individual monks' flaws, with a profound reverence for the church's transcendent values.
After the cessation of Manchu rule in 1911, the autonomous Mongolian state adopted a secular, centralized administrative structure.
Answer: False
Upon the cessation of Manchu rule in 1911, the Buddhist church and its clergy became the sole available political structure, leading to a weakly centralized theocracy, not a secular, centralized administrative structure.
Upon the establishment of the Mongolian People's Republic, the Buddhist church held a monopoly on education and medical services.
Answer: True
Upon the establishment of the Mongolian People's Republic, the Buddhist church indeed held a monopoly on education and medical services, posing a challenge to the new government.
By 1934, the Buddhist church's annual income in Mongolia was significantly less than the state's income.
Answer: False
By 1934, the Buddhist church's annual income of 31 million tögrög nearly matched the state's income of 37.5 million tögrög.
The Mongolian People's Republic's campaign against the Buddhist church involved forbidding the recruitment of new monks and replacing living Buddhas.
Answer: True
The Mongolian People's Republic prohibited the recruitment of new monks and the replacement of living Buddhas as part of its campaign against the Buddhist church.
By the 1940s, most Mongolian Buddhist monks had either died or renounced their vows, and remaining monasteries were dissolved.
Answer: True
By the 1940s, nearly all Mongolian Buddhist monks were deceased or had renounced vows, and remaining monasteries were dissolved, their assets confiscated, and monks secularized, interned, or executed.
Monastic buildings that survived the repressions were primarily converted into military barracks.
Answer: False
Monastic buildings that escaped destruction were repurposed to serve as local government offices or schools.
What was one significant challenge the Mongolian People's Republic faced from the Buddhist church upon taking power?
Answer: The church held a monopoly on education and medical services.
Upon taking power, the Mongolian People's Republic faced a formidable challenge from the Buddhist church, which held a monopoly on education and medical services.
By 1934, how did the Buddhist church's annual income compare to the state's income in Mongolia?
Answer: It nearly matched the state's income.
By 1934, the Buddhist church's annual income of 31 million tögrög nearly matched the state's income of 37.5 million tögrög.
Which of the following tactics was employed by the Mongolian People's Republic in its campaign against the Buddhist church?
Answer: Forbidding the recruitment of new monks and replacing living Buddhas.
The Mongolian People's Republic prohibited the recruitment of new monks and the replacement of living Buddhas as part of its campaign against the Buddhist church.
What was the fate of most Mongolian Buddhist monks by the 1940s, according to Robert Rupen?
Answer: They were either deceased or had renounced their vows.
According to Robert Rupen, by the 1940s, nearly all of the over 112,000 Mongolian Buddhist monks from the 1920s were either deceased or had renounced their vows.
The ruling party of the Mongolian People's Republic aimed for the complete eradication of all Buddhist knowledge and practices to sever ties with the past.
Answer: False
The ruling party decided against total eradication of Buddhist knowledge, believing it would sever modern Mongols from their history and culture, and that Buddhism no longer posed a threat.
The Asian Buddhist Conference for Peace, based in Ulaanbaatar, sponsored visits by the Dalai Lama to Mongolia during the communist era.
Answer: True
The Asian Buddhist Conference for Peace, headquartered in Ulaanbaatar, sponsored visits by the Dalai Lama to Mongolia in 1979 and 1982, even during the communist era.
During the communist era, Buddhism played a role in Mongolia's foreign policy by establishing links with both communist and noncommunist states.
Answer: True
During the communist era, Buddhism contributed to Mongolia's foreign policy by fostering links with various states through organizations like the Asian Buddhist Conference for Peace.
The Buddha statue within Erdene Zuu Monastery is located in Karakorum, an ancient capital of the Mongol Empire.
Answer: True
The source material confirms that the Buddha statue in Erdene Zuu Monastery is situated in Karakorum, an ancient capital of the Mongol Empire.
In Mahayana Buddhism, a prajnaparamita refers to a mound-like structure containing relics.
Answer: False
A prajnaparamita refers to the 'perfection of wisdom,' often personified as a goddess, while a stupa is the mound-like structure containing relics.
Zanabazar was a prominent Mongolian tulku, recognized as a reincarnate lama or teacher in Tibetan Buddhism.
Answer: True
The source identifies Zanabazar as one of Mongolia's most influential tulkus, a term for recognized reincarnate lamas or teachers in Tibetan Buddhism.
A Thangka is a type of Mongolian sculpture typically depicting a Buddhist deity or scene.
Answer: False
A Thangka is a Tibetan Buddhist painting on cotton or silk appliqué, not a sculpture.
Where is the Buddha statue referenced in the source material, located within the Erdene Zuu Monastery, situated?
Answer: Karakorum
The Buddha statue in Erdene Zuu Monastery is located in Karakorum, an ancient capital of the Mongol Empire.
What does a prajnaparamita refer to in Mahayana Buddhism, as depicted in the gilded stupa image?
Answer: The 'perfection of wisdom,' often personified as a goddess
A prajnaparamita refers to the 'perfection of wisdom' in Mahayana Buddhism, often personified as a goddess, distinct from a stupa which is a relic mound.
Who was Zanabazar, as described in the article referencing his statuette?
Answer: One of the most influential tulkus of Mongolia
Zanabazar was one of Mongolia's most influential tulkus, recognized as a reincarnate lama or teacher in Tibetan Buddhism.
What is a Thangka, as shown in one of the images in the source material?
Answer: A Tibetan Buddhist painting on cotton or silk appliqué
A Thangka is defined as a Tibetan Buddhist painting on cotton or silk appliqué, typically depicting a Buddhist deity, scene, or mandala.
The Bogd Khan served as both the religious and secular head of state in Mongolia until the 1920s.
Answer: True
The Bogd Khan functioned as both the religious and secular head of state in Mongolia until the 1920s, as depicted in the source material.