Aobao originated from Shamanism and Manidui from Bonism. After Buddhism was introduced into Tibet, it was combined with Bonism in the struggle to form a local Buddhism called Tibetan Buddhism, and Manidui was an example. After Tibetan Buddhism was widely spread in Mongolia, Aobao worship was similar to Manidui worship. For example, when people pass by, they will bow down and pray to Aobao and Manidui instead. On the landmark terrain, there will be Aobao or Manidui. The Mongols will build Aobao on the vast grassland, and the Tibetans will build Manidui on the lakeside and mountain pass.
The difference is that the Aobao is specially built. Once it is built, it will generally be higher and neater, while the Mani pile is more casual. When people want God's protection, find a stone to add. In particular, the Mani piles on the roadside are all piled by Tibetans. With more people passing by, the Mani piles are getting bigger and bigger. For example, the famous Jia 'angmani Pile (Xinzhai, Yushu Prefecture, Qinghai Province) is 100 meters long from east to west, 40 meters long from north to south, and its mass is about 10000 square meters. But you can still see many knee-high mani piles. I wonder who piled it on the way to the mountains. The mani pile in the village will be very tall and exquisite, because you can see that the six-character mantra is carefully carved on the piled stones.
There are single Aobao and group Aobao, and the number of groups of Aobao is odd. For example, Thirteen Aobao in Xilin Gol. It is said that Shisan Aobao is related to Shisan Tomb in Japan.