Buddhism in State Foreign Policy: Mongolia case

One of the manifestations of the post-secular era is the increasing role of religion in international relations. For a number of reasons, Buddhism offers a useful tool for conducting foreign policy through non-military means. However, until recently, the role of Buddhism in foreign policy has been considered primarily in relation to the strategies of great powers. Given this circumstance, this article attempts to identify the key features and characteristics of Buddhism’s use in Mongolia’s foreign policy, a country with comparatively limited foreign policy potential. Theoretically, the study is based on the concept of post-secularism and the theory of "soft power." The study draws on a comparative method applied to the study of Buddhism’s role in the foreign policy strategies of China, India, and Russia, all great powers, and Mongolia, a small country. Relevant official documents and Mongolian media materials are analyzed. A discursive approach is also employed to uncover the underlying meaning of the Buddhist factor in Ulaanbaatar’s foreign policy. It was found that Mongolia, as a small country, utilizes the Buddhist factor in its relations with the outside world not so much to advance its influence over other countries, but rather as a means of shaping and strengthening national identity and security. At the same time, Mongolia has the potential to more actively utilize Buddhism in its foreign policy through the institution of the Bogd Gegen.