Revisiting the foundations for spread and development of Buddhism in Buryatia

The article deals with issues related to the spread of Buddhism in Buryatia and the factors that contributed to its successful incorporation into the culture of the Buryats as part of the Mongolian world. These factors were associated not only with the advantageous geopolitical position, but also with general Mongolian worldview foundations close to Buddhist ideas. The spread of Buddhism among the Buryats influenced not only on the religious traditions of the ethnic group, but also expanded the boundaries of the cultural and religious worldview of Russia as a whole. Despite the fact that Christianity and shamanism were already widespread in the Buryats settlement area, Buddhism managed to penetrate the socio-cultural space of the Buryat society. Moreover, the Buddhist tradition, having become one of the ethno-differentiating characteristics, made a significant contribution to the development of the Buryat ethnic group. It is also of great significance to the development of Buryat cultures in general. Buddhism in Buryatia spread in the conditions of interaction with shamanism. As a result of this interaction a peculiar regional form of Buddhism inherited Tibetan and Mongolian traditions began to develop.