Religion and Buddhist Clergy of Mongolia: Revisiting Documents from the Central Archive of the Federal Security Service of Russia (1920–1930s)
https://doi.org/10.22162/2619-0990-2019-45-5-740-749
Abstract
The article seeks to characterize some archival documents dealing with religion and Buddhist clergy of Mongolia and housed by the Central Archive of the Federal Security Service (FSB) of Russia (Moscow) and Omsk Oblast FSB Department, which have remained unavailable for research till recently. Materials. The archival papers include special reports, coded telegrams, letters, communiques, reviews of political, economic, military and religious conditions in Mongolia. Quite a share of the documents examine different aspects of Mongolia’s religious affairs during the mentioned period. Those describe responses of the Buddhist clergy and clerical hierarchy to policies pursued by the Mongolian People’s Party and the national government, and aimed to restrict the influence of the Buddhist church, monasteries; also depicted are responses of the former to antigovernment sentiments, disturbances and revolts (1925, 1930, 1932, etc.). The work actually focuses on the latter documents. Results. The papers discovered display‑ the measures undertaken towards Mongolia’s religion and Buddhist clergy during the mentioned years. The repressions conducted by the MPP and government essentially undermined the leading positions of the latter. Punitive actions against religion and Buddhist priests would be launched throughout the 1930-1940s, and those were cruelest ones ever held in the country.
About the Author
Keemya V. Orlova
Institute of Oriental Studies of the RAS
Russian Federation
Dr. Sc. (History), Cand. Sc. (Philology), Leading Research Associate
Russian Federation
Dr. Sc. (History), Cand. Sc. (Philology), Leading Research Associate
References
1. Central Archive of the Federal Security Service of Russia:
2. [Plans of Mongolian Autonomy Proponents about Annexation of Xinjiang to the Mongolian People’s Republic] (information report). Fond 2. Ser. 8. File 378. P. 242. Typed copy. (In Russ.)
3. [Sentiments among the Buddhist Clergy] information report of Foreign Affairs Department, Joint State Political Directorate / OGPU). Fond 2. Ser. 8. File 307. Pp. 9–13. Original document. (In Russ.)
4. Archive of Omsk Oblast FSB Department:
5. [Debates on the Issue of Buddhist Clergy at the 5th MPP Congress] (information report of Oriental Department, OGPU). Fond 65. File 9920. Pp. 10–12. Certified copy. (In Russ.)
6. [Debates on the Issue of Buddhist Clergy at the 5th MPP Congress] (information report of Oriental Department, OGPU; supplement). Fond 65. File 9920. Pp. 18–20. Certified copy. (In Russ.)
7. [Political situation in the MPR: October – November 1928] (excerpt from information report). Fond 65. File 140. Vol. 4. Pp. 142–158. Typed copy. (In Russ.)
8. [Plans of Mongolian Autonomy Proponents about Annexation of Xinjiang to the MPR] (information report). Fond 65. File 140. Vol. 4. Pp. 211–212. Typed copy. (In Russ.)
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20.
Review
For citations:
Orlova K.V. Religion and Buddhist Clergy of Mongolia: Revisiting Documents from the Central Archive of the Federal Security Service of Russia (1920–1930s). Oriental Studies. 2019;12(5):740-749. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.22162/2619-0990-2019-45-5-740-749
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