Religion
Buddhism, Shamanism, Christian and Islam are most commonly worshipped and practiced in Mongolia. According to the National Census, 53% of the populations are Buddhist, 39% are Atheist and the rest belong to Christian, Islam.
Shamanism is Mongolian native and traditional religion which is the worship of the blue, mighty, eternal heaven. Some people, however, consider it as just a belief. Chinggis Khaan was a strong believer of Shamanism. In the Secret Book of Mongolian History, it was mentioned Shamanism was the main key that Chinggis became powerful. Shamanism went through a rough time in the Mongolian history, during the Manchu Dynasty and the Soviet purges. However, it survived until now and commonly practiced throughout Mongolia.
Yellow-headed Buddhism began to enter into Mongolia from Tibet in the 16th century. During the 200 years of Manchu Dynasty ruling time, the religion was the main tool to control Mongolians. Mongolian men were converted into monks, which weakened the army and the freedom of Mongolian people. After the independence from the Manchu Dynasty in 1930, 40% of male population was still lamas. Until 1990, the democratic revolution, all religions were forbidden to be worshipped or practiced in Mongolia. People in Mongolia are comparatively not very religious. Majority of the people do not know much about Buddhism. Most people also practice Shamanism and yet they do the Buddhist rituals.
