Chinggis Pride, Tibetan Buddhism, and the Blue Sky, Shape Modern Cosmopolitan Mongolia
Jay Nathan, Department of Management, The Peter J. Tobin College of Business
Abstract
It is breath-taking to experience a solemn Tibetan Buddhist Monastery on a mountain range about several thousand feet above the sea level. The Mongolian nomadic culture is alive and well today—especially, in the countryside—and is most visible in mobile homes called “Gher.”
The Mongolian nomadic life finds peace and harmony in the practice of Tibetan Buddhism. The Mongolian individuality, history, culture, and religion show that tolerance and bravery can coexist. It can be argued that Chinggis Pride and Tibetan Buddhism unite Mongolian people via history, religion, and cosmopolitan outlook.
The deepening of Japanese-Mongolian relations was followed by increased U.S.-Mongol ties, as the two countries opened relations in 1987. With strong bilateral relations with United States, Japan is seen as an international partner for Mongolia’s modernization efforts. Historically, Tibetan Buddhism also has played a major role in unifying the Mongolian people. Another important development since Mongolia gained independence from the former Soviet Union can be described as “landlocked cosmopolitan.” Despite Mongolia’s isolated position, one of a small fraternity of “sandwich” countries which are entirely contained between other powers (Moldova, Nepal, Bhutan, and tiny Liechtenstein are some other members in this unfortunate club), Mongolia has shown an unusual eagerness to engage with the outside world. No wonder that Mongolia can aptly be called “Landlocked Cosmopolitan,” a country where the primacy of foreign policy is unquestioned, yet where the overriding aim of foreign policy is to preserve its national culture and life-style. Therefore, the primacy of assimilating foreign culture is not for its own sake, but as a means of preserving the Mongolian and Buriat nationalities as competitive and modern entities within the larger Chinese and Russian spheres. Thus, present-day, independent Republic of Mongolia is no different: she continues to exhibit the same cosmopolitan character and is eager to be a productive member of the global community.