Editor's note: 2014 marks the 65 anniversary of the diplomatic relation between China and Mongolia and is also the year of friendly exchanges. It's also been 20 years since the two countries signed a treaty of friendly and cooperative relations in 1994. Tibetan Buddhism has been a remarkable tie and witness of the bilateral relationship between the two countries. The following articles examine the history and modern contact via Tibetan Buddhism between China and Mongolia:

1. History of Tibetan Buddhism's spreading in Mongolia

Historians generally agree that Tibetan Buddhism became accepted and popular among Mongolian people from the "Meeting at Liangzhou" in 1246, when Prince Godan, the son of Ogotai Khan, who is the third emperor of the Monolian Kingdom and the son of Genghis Khan, formed alliances with Sakya Pantida, the first Pantida of Tubo Kingdom. (more)

2. When was Tibetan Buddhism popular with Mongolian people?

Tibetan Buddhism rejuvenated in Mongolia in the 16th century owing to the Altan Khan, the contemporary leader of the Tumote Mongolian tribe. With the co-effort of Sonam Gyatso lama and Altan Khan and his successors, Tibetan Buddhism became popular in Mongolia. There was a wave among the Mongolian tribes to invite accomplished lamas from Tibet to give sermons, build monasteries, and translate Tibetan Buddhism scriptures, all of which make the Gelug Sect of Tibetan Buddhism more of a nationwide religious belief.(more)

3. Mongolian Dalai Lama Yonten Gyatso

Yonyen Gyatso the 4th Dalai Lama is the only Mongolian among all the 14 dalai lamas. (more)

4. Broad adoption of the reincarnation system of living Buddha （Khutuktu in Mongolian Buddhism)

The reincarnation system of living Buddha was firstly started in the Black Hat Sect of Karma Kagyu school in the 13th century, adopted by the Gelug Sect in the 16th century, and became widely adopted by all sects and schools of Tibetan Buddhism as the main inheritance method from the mid-17th century.(more)

5. Tibetan Buddhism witnesses Sino-Mongolia friendship

2014 marks the 65 anniversary of the diplomatic relation between China and Mongolia and is also the year of friendly exchanges. It's also been 20 years since the two countries signed a treaty of friendly and cooperative relations in 1994.(more)