Philosophical and ethical concept of a person in Buddhism as a basis for transformation of religious culture of Inner Asian peoples in the middle ages

The article analyzes the concept of a person in Buddhist philosophy in the context of penetration and steady spread of the Buddhist doctrine amongst Inner Asian peoples in the Middle Ages. The philosophical and ethical concept of a person in Buddhism, relativism of understanding the essence of the human self had become metaphysical basis and ideological premise of its transformation into a religious doctrine. Mahayana, being changed in forms of its manifestation, however, retained the basic philosophical principles of Buddhist doctrine of a person. Due to its exceptional toleration conditioned by philosophical content the Buddhist doctrine could coexist with various local religious cults, making symbiosis with them.