Impression of ^“A concise history of mongolian philosophy-ver. Jpn"

Written by Toshie NISHIKI

This summer, Dr. Dashpurev's book, "A Concise History of Mongolian Philosophy" was published in Japanese version. This is really a memorable thing. Because, there are the books of some Mongolian history in Japanese, but the book which wrote it about Mongolian thought and philosophy is not in Japanese. So, there was a big response from readers. Lets introduce the voice of one reader to all of you.

"This book is excellent, explains how Mongolian philosophy changed from the prehistoric age to the present age, the main point is compiled dearly. Also, a translator did a good job. I think people who want to know about Mongolia should read this book.

An author was explaining conversantly dividing the age into part of nine. The third chapter I felt particularly interesting. In the era of Mongolia's unification of Chingis Khan, a variety of religious evangelists such as Christianity, Buddhism, Muslim, etc came from all over the world, based on shamanism, to be given freedom to a i religion? and ideas, it was age that was very tolerant in terms of religious thought. Indeed, it seemed to me that the era of contemporary since the democratization in 1991, was similar with Chingis Khan's Mongolian period. S felt the good point of the Mongolian people are to accept others with a wide mind. I pray that the such good points will continue to develop, and Japanese people also need to instate that flexible perspective.

And, as a keyword to build the future Mongolian philosophy, Mongolian "nomadic life in majestic meadows" is presented.

I have great expectations that there may be proud uniquely and excellence in nomadic life and the idea of eternity Tenger, shamanism.

But, other hand there, the wave of modernization today is on the rise. What is intellectual property created by Mongolia that can remain for the future in the interposition of tradition and modernization? This book made me think deeply about this point.

If you read this book you can deeply understand Mongolian's way of thinking and Mongolian philosophy how does it contribute to the world of philosophy to the future. And this book will satisfy your intellectual curiosity. I strongly recommend you to read this book.

This reader was interested many things and asked many interesting questions to Dr. Dashpurev. For example, "Why did Tibetan Buddhism remain in the era of Khublai khan, not other religions? in addition, for a  long  period  in which  the   exclusive philosophy of Tibetan  Buddhism and  Marxist-Leninism  was mainstream, how Mongolian people  had inherited eternal thought "tenger” and shamanism? " As you can see from question this book stimulates intellectual curiosity and gives intellectual pleasure.

In Japan there are countless philosophical books written about Greek philosophy and Marxism, and there are many researchers who are studying about that. However, there was no book detailing the philosophical thought of Mongolia. So this book is a very valuable book.

I think for Japanese people may be interest that description of Mongolian Shamanism philosophical thought, because shamanism exists from ancient times in Japan as well. Readers will be surprised that certain rituals and idea are the same between Japanese and Mongolia shaman like a deer stone. Deer is also a mysterious animal for Japanese people it has become an object of worship since ancient times. As yet another similar point is while Japan has a shaman customs, but accepting Buddhism as state religion is common history with Mongolia Yes, in Japan also Sherman and Buddhism coexist.

            However, there are many differences between Japanese and Mongolian thoughts. When you read this book you will be able to understand common points and differences between Mongolian thought and Japanese thought. And you realize it seems to be caused by the difference in the life style of nomadic people and agricultural people. For Japanese people nomadic style is very interesting and detailed in this book how the style has  influenced Mongolian thought.

            It is a pleasure to be translated a very meaningful book for Japanese people to know Mongolian philosophy deeply.