🗊Презентация International Educational Corporation Handouts

International Educational Corporation Handouts Topic №11 Tengriism - one of the Monotheistic and Pre-Islamic religion Religious Studies 2016-2017 years 2 credits 4 Semester assoc. professor Yerkin Massanov

The brief content: 1. Definition of Tengriism; 2. The Ancient Practice of Tengriism and Ancient Worship of the Sky Gods; 3. Four Principles of Tengriism.

The Orkhon script starting with Word “Tengri” :

In the Tengriism: 3+4=7 significant number

SIW: Ayupov, N.G. “Tengrianism as an open worldview”

The concepts of “Tengriism” Tengriism (sometimes called Tengrism, Tengerism, Tengrianism, or Tengrianizm) is a religion that revolves around the sun deity Tengri, and focuses on balance with nature.

Etymology Khukh and Tengri literally mean "blue" and "sky" in Mongolian and modern Mongolians still pray to "Munkh Khukh Tengri" ("Eternal Blue Sky"). As a modern revival, Tengrism has been advocated among intellectual circles of the Turkic nations of Central Asia, including Tatarstan, Buryatia, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan.

The Ancient Practice of Tengriism and Ancient Worship of the Sky Gods In ancient times, people in Central Asia practiced a religion known as Tengriism, which focused on living in harmony with the natural universe. While this religion was founded and most widely practiced during ancient times, there are groups that still practice Tengriism to this day.

The History The actual founding date of Tengriism has not been confirmed, but it is believed to have begun sometime around the Bronze Age, which lasted from 3,300 B.C. through 1,200 B.C.

Historically, it was the prevailing religion of the Turks, Mongols, and Hungarians, as well as the Xiongnu and the Huns. It was the state religion of the six ancient Turkic states: Göktürks Khaganate, Avar Khaganate, Western Turkic Khaganate, Great Bulgaria, Bulgarian Empire and Eastern Tourkia. In Irk Bitig, Tengri is mentioned as Turuk Tangrisi (God of Turks). Historically, it was the prevailing religion of the Turks, Mongols, and Hungarians, as well as the Xiongnu and the Huns. It was the state religion of the six ancient Turkic states: Göktürks Khaganate, Avar Khaganate, Western Turkic Khaganate, Great Bulgaria, Bulgarian Empire and Eastern Tourkia. In Irk Bitig, Tengri is mentioned as Turuk Tangrisi (God of Turks).

Characteristics It is considered to be one of the oldest religions, and incorporates characteristics of shamanism, animism, totemism, both polytheism and monotheism, and ancestor worship.

What’s a Tengriism? Those who practice Tengriism hold the belief that their very existence is sustained by the eternal blue Sky (Tengri), the fertile Mother Earth, and the holy spirit of the sky. The term is perceived among Turkic peoples as a national religion.

Principles of Tengriism 1. There exists one supreme God, Tengri. He is the unknowable One who knows everything; 2. Tengri is the intelligence and power behind all of nature. Everything is ultimately controlled by him; 3. There exist many other spirits or 'angels' besides Tengri; 4. There is no 'one true religion'. Humanity has not reached full enlightenment.

Relation with other Religion Tengri has given different paths for man. A man may be Buddhist, Christian or Muslim, but only Tengri knows the righteous. A man may change his tribal allegiance but still be upright. Tribal customs can be changed if they are harmful to people, which is why Genghis Khan did away with many previous customs in order to ensure orderly government.

Ethical principles of tolerance All people are weak and therefore shortcomings should be tolerated. Different religions and customs should be tolerated. Like the life of the nomads, peoples' lives are difficult enough and subject to the pressures of nature.

Tengriism and Islam Tengriism also played a large part in the religious denomination of the Gok-Turk Empire and the Great Mongol Empire. The name “Gok-Turk” translates as “Celestial Turk” which directly points out to the devotion to Tengriism. In the 13th century, Genghis Khan and several generations of his followers were also Tengrian believers until his fifth generation descendent Uzbeg Khan turned to Islam in the 14th century.

The control questions: 1. The Tengriism as Monotheistic Religion? 2. Why Kazakh people accepted Islamic Religion so easy? 3. Tengriism in the nowadays?