How did the introduction of Buddhism change Mongolian written literature after the 1500s?

The introduction of Buddhism to Mongolia around the end of the 1500s profoundly transformed Mongolian written literature by shifting its focus from primarily official documentation to the translation and dissemination of religious texts.1

This religious influence brought several key changes:

• Translation of Canonical Works: The advent of Buddhism prompted the translation and printing of massive collections, including the Bka’-’gyur (Kanjur) in 1635 and the Bstan-’gyur (Tanjur) in 1741. These works introduced new subjects and refined the literary language.12
• New Literary Genres: The influx of Buddhist literature introduced nondogmatic birth stories known as Jātaka, which illustrated religious truths through parables, and various Indian fables.1
• Integration of Traditions: Historical chronicles, such as the Erdeni-yin tobchi (1662), began to synthesize Buddhist themes with traditional Chinggisid history, linking Indian and Tibetan rulers to the house of Genghis Khan.12
• Linguistic Development: The need to translate complex religious concepts encouraged the refinement of the literary language. Notably, the monk Zaya Pandita created the "Clear Script" in 1648, which helped narrow the gap between written and spoken Mongolian.2