The Buddhist concept of time in the culture of the Mongolian ethnic groups

Abstract

In the context of the crisis of linear models of progress and growing global uncertainty, alternative ontologies of time developed within non-Western cultural traditions gain particular relevance. This article examines the Buddhist understanding of time within the cultural framework of Mongolian ethnic groups. Unlike sedentary civilizations, which emphasize long-term planning and institutional stability, nomadic societies cultivated a perception of time as an open, fluid field where the future is not predetermined but continuously shaped in the present through ethical intentions and actions. Buddhism, once integrated into nomadic culture, did not displace indigenous beliefs but merged with them syncretically, offering resilience through inner morality rather than external structures. Karma was not viewed as fatalistic destiny but as a transformable system dependent on mindfulness and personal responsibility. Such an understanding of time emphasizes not so much the chronological sequence of events as the qualitative depth of the present moment and the ethical orientation of one’s deeds. For nomadic societies whose lives are intimately tied to natural rhythms and the constant need for adaptation the future could never be fixed; it remained open and dynamic. Buddhist ethics reinforced this worldview by introducing an element of spiritual accountability. This model, grounded in presence, a deep connection with nature, and the ethical co-creation of the future, acquires renewed significance in an era of global crises. As traditional paradigms for managing uncertainty reach their limits, flexibility, mindfulness, and ecological ethics become essential resources for survival and development. The Mongolian tradition thus offers not merely an alternative conception of time, but a practical philosophy of resilience one in which humans do not dominate nature but act as its responsible stewards.