THE NAME OF BURKHAN KHALDUN MOUNTAIN

This article presents an original interpretation arguing that the name Burkhan Khaldun originates from the Arabic words “Burhan” (proof/evidence) + “Khaldun” (eternal) and comes through Manichaeism. However, in general academic sources and reliable places like Wikipedia, the mountain's name is accepted as “Mountain of God” or “Mountain of Buddha” in Mongolian, and the claim of Arabic origin is not the mainstream view.

BURKHAN KHALDUN MOUNTAIN

Burkhan Khaldun is a mountain located in the Khentii Mountains of Mongolia. It is considered the birthplace of Genghis Khan and is legendary as the site of his tomb. Mongolians greatly revere and worship this mountain.

In ancient times, the entire Khentii Khan mountain range was commonly referred to as Burkhan Khaldun. There are reportedly 13 places in the Khentii Mountains bearing the name Burkhan Khaldun, but the highest peak has retained this name. Burkhan Khaldun is deeply embedded in the hearts, minds, and religious faith of the Mongolian people. Official worship rituals began in 1818. In 1992, an area of 12,000 km² was designated as the Khan Khentii Strictly Protected Area and placed under state protection. In 1995, by presidential decree, Burkhan Khaldun was declared a state-worshipped mountain. Furthermore, in June 2015, at the 39th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee held in Bonn, Germany, it was inscribed on the World Heritage List under the name "Great Burkhan Khaldun Mountain and its surrounding sacred landscape".

THE WORDS “BURHAN” AND “KHALDUN” IN THE NAME BURKHAN KHALDUN 

What is the origin of the name Burkhan Khaldun? In the Quran, there is this verse: "They say that no one except Jews and Christians will enter Paradise. This is their wishful thinking. Say to them: 'Produce your proof (in Arabic: بُرْهَانَ / burhān) if you are truthful'" (هَاتُوا بُرْهَانَكُمْ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ صَادِقِينَ).

In Islam, proof (burhān) is a sacred word. It also conveys meanings such as good omen, positive sign, or evidence. The Quran was originally written in Arabic, and until the 20th century, translating it into other languages was prohibited. The Quran must be read and memorized only in Arabic. Therefore, for 1500 years, the Arabic language has preserved its original meaning, expressions, idioms, and ideas without significant changes.

“Khaldun” (حلدون) is also an Arabic word meaning eternal or everlasting. It can be translated as immortal or perpetual. According to dictionaries, it derives from the verb “halada,” meaning to remain, not die, or never end. Because this word symbolizes goodness, many languages have names meaning “eternal.” The most famous Khaldun is the renowned Tunisian traveler and father of sociology, Ibn Khaldun. Many other famous Arab and Turkic figures bear the name Khaldun, such as Khaldun Alagas, Khaldun Baghdadi, and Khaldun Dorman. Today, in some Islamic countries like Egypt, Khaldun is still given as an affectionate or double name for children.

The word “Burhan” is also very common, especially among Turkic peoples. The ending “han” in the Arabic word for proof coincides with the Turkic word “khan” (king), so Turkic peoples considered it auspicious and frequently gave the name “Burkhan” to their children. There are many Arabs named Burhan, such as Burhan Ali, Burhan Nazim, Burhan Atak, and Burhan Shinwari. Among Russified Turkic peoples, surnames like Burkhanov, Burkhansky, and Burkhanovich are common. In Afghanistan’s Pashtun community, there is reportedly a clan named Burhan. Several villages, towns, and districts named Burhaniye exist in Turkey, as well as towns named Burhan in Pakistan and Burhanpur in India. However, some criticize giving children the name Burhan, arguing that “Burhan” is a sacred word related only to Allah and should not be used casually.

There have been several attempts to explain the modern Mongolian word “burkhan.” One common but unproven theory is that it evolved from the word “Buddha” through phonetic changes. While Mongolian has many cases of historical phonetic shifts in words, they usually follow established patterns. Another hypothesis suggests “burkhan” came from the Chinese word “Fuhan” (Fú = Buddha + han = khan in Mongolian). This is possible but also requires proof. Doctor Dulam proposed that it might relate to “burgas” (willow), becoming “burgan” in singular form because willow branches were often used in ovoo (sacred cairn) worship. Again, there is no solid evidence.

Central Asian nomads have historically been tolerant toward all religions. Before the Uyghurs, no nomadic group abandoned their original sky-worship faith. However, the Manichaean religion (Manichaeism), persecuted by Zoroastrianism, Islam, and Christianity due to its heretical views, found strong support on the Central Asian steppe.

MANICHAEISM

When Manichaeism entered among nomads, it significantly influenced native shamanic rituals, symbols, and ceremonies. Zoroastrian fire worship became an inseparable part of nomadic shamanism from this period. The ovoo worship tradition they introduced was later suppressed in various ways by Buddhism and Marxism, yet it continues vigorously into the 21st century. Shamanic invocations frequently mention good and evil skies.

Manichaeism originated in a region of religious freedom, so Zoroastrianism, Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Mithraism, Gnosticism, and even Buddhism coexisted freely. Mani carefully blended elements from all these to create his own teaching. While rooted in the Bible-based Christian tradition, it gradually developed its own doctrine under Zoroastrian and Islamic influences. Missionaries spread it through Armenia, northern India, and Iran. According to Mani’s theory, the world is a battleground between many good eternal light heavens and many evil eternal dark heavens.

Due to its widespread influence in Sogdia and the Eastern Turkic Khaganate, Uyghur ruler Bögü Khan declared Manichaeism the state religion in 762. In 840, the Khitan defeated the Uyghurs and established their own state in present-day Mongolian territory, directly inheriting Manichaeism from the Uyghurs. Later, it influenced all Central Asian shamanic peoples, blending deeply with native shamanism and transforming significantly from its original form. Academician Bira distinguished Central Asian sky worship as Tengriism, which differs considerably from Siberian shamanism. It is possible that Tengriism took its current form under the influence of Manichaeism.

Manichaean drew teachings from the Christian Bible, Zoroaster’s Avesta, and the Islamic Quran, using original terms in Hebrew, Greek, Persian, Avestan, Syriac, and Arabic. New Manichaean terms emerged in the process. The name of Burkhan Khaldun mountain may derive from the Quranic word for “proof.” Together, it means Eternal Proof!

In monotheistic religions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam), “eternal proof” refers to: 

1) divine revelation and sacred scriptures considered absolute truth, 

2) personal spiritual experiences that believers see as proof of God’s existence, and 

3) philosophical arguments developed by theologians to support God’s existence. 

In English: Eternal proof; in Russian: Вечное доказательство; in Arabic: دليل أبدي; in Hebrew: הוכחה נצחית and  in Turkish Ebedi Kanıt. “Eternal proof” is a sacred word, teaching, and evidence in monotheistic faiths!

THE ARRIVAL OF THE MONGOL PEOPLE IN THE KHENTII MOUNTAINS

 For thousands of years, Altaic peoples, including proto-Mongols and proto-Turks, have lived on the Mongolian Plateau in Central Asia. However, the earliest settlers who became established there were proto-Turks, as evidenced by Turkic names of mountains and rivers. The Shiwei clan, descended from the Donghu, lived around the Amur and Heilongjiang rivers and gradually migrated westward. By the 10th–11th centuries, they moved west from Hulun Lake and settled in the Khentii Mountains. At that time, the mountain was already called Burkhan Khaldun. If this name is Arabic in origin, it must have been given by Manichaean missionaries. That period was already 300 years after the Quran was written.