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It seems to me that Buddhism was really popular among the Mongols, East of the Chagatai Khanate. This made me wonder how and why Buddhism was so popular and not other religions like Islam, (Nestorian) Christianity or Hinduism? Although there answers such as "they are closer to the religious centre"... That may be true but that does not seem enough to me.

My questions are:
- Why was Buddhism so popular among Mongols within the border of the Yuan Dynasty?
- Could Islam, Christianity or Hinduism have a chance to replace Buddhism among the Mongolians?
- If yes, what is needed to achieve this?
- If yes, what are the consequences of the Mongols turning (1. Islamic, 2. Christian, 3. Hindu)?
- Would it also affect the Manchu's, influencing them to turn Islamic, Christian or Hindu?
- If the Mongols (and Manchu) turn Islamic, will they be absorbed by the local Hui Muslims and Uyghurs?
- Did Buddhism halt the aggressive expansionism of the Mongols post-Yuan dynasty? Or was it the division among the Mongols rather than their believes?
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