The Russian Empire’s relations with Buddhist populations have a complex and lengthy history. Until the mid-nineteenth century, the main regions where Buddhism spread — Eastern Siberia and the Pacific — were viewed from Saint Petersburg as distant peripheries, attracting little attention. However, this began to change when Russia sought to bolster its influence in the Far East and manage its relations with Asian countries, particularly the Qing Empire, which was experiencing internal social strife and facing Western colonial pressure. Unwilling to let European powers take the initiative in Asia, Russia aimed to leverage its significant Buddhist population to advance its interests in the region. Despite Buddhism’s legalization within the empire in the 18th century, some figures saw Russia’s rapprochement with this Eastern religion as misguided. They believed that granting extensive rights to non-Christians and relying on them for political gain undermined the state’s ethno-cultural unity. This stance was countered by the “Orientalist” movement, led by notable figures such as Prince E.E. Ukhtomsky, an orientalist and publicist. The influence of the “Orientalists” in government circles strengthened religious tolerance in policies toward Buddhists and encouraged the strategic use of religion in diplomatic relations with Asian nations such as Mongolia, Tibet, and Siam. The most successful policy was toward Mongolia, which gained broad autonomy aft er the 1911 Xinhai Revolution in China, thanks to Russian support. The debate between the “Orientalists” and their opponents, who held opposing views on the role of the Buddhist community, reflected the intricate political and religious dynamics occurring in Russia on the eve of the revolutions. These dynamics offer valuable insights into the evolving relationship between the Russian state and religious organizations, a subject of ongoing scholarly interest today.