Genghis Khan and YASA his Laws

The Yasa was written, but no complete copies exist, only fragments that have been recorded by others over time. The best complete source of the Yasa that this author was able to locate was at: http://www.coldsiberia.org/webdoc9.htm. 

Let's look at some of the wisdom of the Yasa of Genghis Khan and determine how it helped him achieve his empire. 

1. One of his main laws was being tolerant of religion. He professed no gods or faith of his own, but felt that everyone one had the right to worship as they pleased. 

2. A soldier or criminal found guilty of harming a priest or temple, no matter what their religious preferences, was put to death. Fanaticism was not tolerated. It made it difficult for religious leaders to rally people against him. 

3.The same death penalty applied to rapists, adulterers and murderers, after a fair trial.

4. Even slaves had rights and they were enforced. He practiced respect for the elderly, required everybody to share their food and looked after the poor! This equality would have certainly been different in most cultures at the time and would likely decreased riots while increasing support of the common person.

5. Genghis Khan also felt that education was important and scholars were to be treated with dignity and respect. They were allowed free travel and encouraged to teach others whatever they wished. 

6. He actually set up the first known postal service with a working "Pony Express" copied 650 years later by the Americans! Is communication and education important to advancing civilization?

7. He made it punishable by death, to betray a "Khan".

8. He insisted that the earth, water, sun, wind and especially the "Blue Sky" be respected.

9. Those leaders that heconquered, if they agreed to respect his rule, were allowed to continue to rule. If they betrayed him, they were killed.

10. The Genghis Khan made it illegal to kill women and children.

Another interesting fact. One of his first wives was of Christian faith, from Cyprus. Later in his life, he married many women, some said, from every religion in his empire, just to "cover the bases". He demanded respect of and freedom of religion.

His Empire declined when his "Law" ceased to be followed in Mongolia.