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ALTAIBAATAR JARGAL — ERDENECHIMEG OMBOOSÜREN of influence for raising public attention to targeted social groups, and for engaging them in social work. Activities of Buddhist NGOs in Mongolia Mongolian law on State and Church relations, which has been in effect since 1993, states that religious organizations in Mongolia shall carry out religious rituals, and educational activities to meet religious demands of the devotees by establishing church, monastery, datsan and centers. Within this framework, Buddhist organizations have carried out their activities in the form of monasteries and temples. This is not new however, from its earliest period until the end of the 20" century, Buddhist organizations had conducted their activities in a single form of monastery. Their activities directed at the devotees were usually found in customary religious practices those could influence the psychology of the majority in the society. The main function of Buddhist monasteries is to exercise Buddhist rituals, assembly and carry out educational activities in an organizational structure of a monastery, temple, datsan and a governing body. The current organizational structure of the Buddhist temples and monasteries is a pattern established back from the second half of 16 century to early 20" century. Monasteries and monks serve the religious community (devotees) by creating religious texts, books and performing rituals and meetings.° At the beginning of the 21“ century, with revival of Buddhism in Mongolia, intermediate organizations, religious but public in nature, were formed as a religious NGO, distinguished themselves from traditional Buddhist organizations (monastery, temple, denomination, etc.) by their organizational structure, management and operational characteristics.’ When studying these organizations, a few reasons can be identified as the cause of formation of such organizations: 1. There was a need for a new organizational structure and management to survive in, and meet changing social systems and regimes in a globalized world. 2. There was a need for a functional form and design to meet spiritual demands of highly informed and educated modern devotees, guaranteed a constitutional freedom and right of religion (to or not to worship a religion). 3. Religious organizations needed to mature into modern organizations that consist of professional and skilled human resources with the capacity to adapt to, and work in harmony, with the situation and time. ° Article 6.5 of Mongolian Law on State and Church Relations. 7 Altaibatar, J.: Saini baigiillagin xelber: itil ajillagani onclog. SUA, FSEX. Erdmin yerténc setgil 10. Ulanbatar 2010. 136
