History of Southeast Asian Religious Development History Research

History of Southeast Asian Religious Development
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Introduction
The pre-history and knowledge of South East Asia religion have undergone exceptionally rapid changes as a result of archaeological discoveries in the nineteenth century. Although the interpretation of these findings has been a subject of extensive discussion, it is clear that the region has been inhabited since the earliest times. Research shows Hommid fossil remains in the area dates back to 1.5 million ago and those of Homo sapiens approximately forty thousand years ago. Further, the change in sea levels witnessed today shows some elements of human inhabitation. Until the 7000 BCE, the seas were some 150 feet lower than they are now. Also, the stone tools used for hunting and gathering depict some similarities in design and developments. Therefore, it is evident from the earliest times the region was inhabited with human development.[Noss, David S., and Blake R. Grangaard. A History of the World's Religions. Routledge, 2017.SarDesai, Damodar R. Southeast Asian History: Essential Readings. Routledge, 2018.Smith, Donald Eugene. South Asian politics and religion. Vol. 2374. PrincetonUniversity Press, 2015.] [Church, Peter. A short history of South-East Asia. John Wiley & Sons, 2017]
Southeast Asia, with more than six hundred million people spread across eleven countries, is home to millions of Muslims, Buddhists, Animists, Catholics, Pentecostals, Confucians, and many followers of local religions and spiritual beliefs. Approximately 40% of the population is Muslims, 21% Christians, and the rest percentage represent other religions. While there are both Muslims and Christian minorities in mainland Southeast Asia (Myanmar, Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand), it is in Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia, Brunei, and Timor Loro Sae where Islam and Christianity are solidly established. Actually, in the seventeenth, Islam gained support in present-day Malaysia, Brunei, southern Philippines, and Indonesia in the 17th century. Similarly, Christianity created firm support in the Philippines, where 93% of the population is Christian and notably Roman Catholic during the same.[Dayley, Robert. Southeast Asia in the new international era. Routledge, 2018.] [Al Qurtuby, Sumanto. "Southeast Asia: History, Modernity, and Religious Change." AlAlbab 2, no. 2 (2015).] [Kunstadter, Peter. Southeast Asian tribes, minorities, and nations. Vol. 1. Princeton UniversityPress, 2017.]
Developments of Hinduism in South East Asia
         Hinduism is considered the world’s oldest religion, with roots and customs dating back to more than four thousand years. Currently, it is ranked as the third-largest religion, with over 900 million followers across the world. Hinduism originated from India before it spread to other regions such as Europe, Africa, Australia, South East Asia, North America, and the Caribbean. Hinduism origins date back to the ancient religious hymns that were created in the second millennium BC. Interestingly, up to date, Hinduism is the most populous religion in India, with over 95% of Hindus living in this country. The doctrine found itself in South East Asia through Indian traders who developed centers along the trading routes. Consequently, Braham priests started to instruct South East Asian people to follow the Hindu beliefs. Most researchers argue that most of the Southeast Asian people were “Hindunized” or “Indianized”.[Brown, Robert L. "Book Reviews—South Asia: The Hindu Tantric World: An Overview." TheJournal of Asian Studies 77, no. 3 (08, 2018): 830-831.doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0021911818000773.] [Manning, Patrick. "The Beginnings of a World History of Modern Migration: The Lucassens'sVolume on Globalizing Migration History." International Review of Social History 62,no. 3 (12, 2017): 481-494. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0020859017000414.]
           Hinduism and played a vital role in the civilizations of South East Asia and also contributed to the development of traditions in this region. In the early start of the Common Era, Indian traders settled in the area, and they brought Brahmans and Buddhist monks with them. Consequently, the rulers who patronage the Brahmans and monks slowly converted to Hinduism or Buddhism. Signs of Hinduism in South East Asia can be traced back to Borneo in the 4th century, where the Sanskrit inscriptions testify to the performance of Vedic Sacrifices by Brahmans in the presence of local chiefs. Similarly, chronicles form the Chinese also confirm the presence of Hinduism in Vietnam two centuries earlier. Mainly Shaivism was the dominant form of Hinduism that was taught in the region. Later on, Vaishnavism was introduced but was not as prevalent as Shaivism.[Brown, Robert L. "Book Reviews—South Asia: The Hindu Tantric World: An Overview." TheJournal of Asian Studies 77, no. 3 (08, 2018): 830-831.doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0021911818000773.]
           In the 9th century, Hinduism had spread across many parts of the region. With no time, many of the kingdoms in this region had adopted and adapted Hindu to culture and customs such as rituals, mysticisms, building styles, and other forms of social and political behaviors that suited historical and social conditions. For instance, in the Khmer kingdom, massive temples to Vishnu and Shiva were built. Similarly, Angkor Wat, made in present Country Cambodia, was created to Vishnu before it was transformed into a Buddhist temple. In fact, one the largest Hindu temple ever constructed with the elements of Indian architecture can be traced to Khmer kingdoms in South East Asia. After some time, Hinduism was replaced with Buddhism except in the present Bali, Indonesia. The people of Bali follow some elements of the teachings, culture, and customs of the Hindu religion.  [Brown, Robert L. "Book Reviews—South Asia: The Hindu Tantric World: An Overview." TheJournal of Asian Studies 77, no. 3 (08, 2018): 830-831.doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0021911818000773.]
            Although there very few Hindu’s in the South East Asia region as compared to these periods, the religion gave rise to the famous religious centers of Angkor, SiemiRiep, Cambodia, and Java Indonesia. Moreover, the influence of Hinduism can be still be seen in the literary epics of Ramayana and Mahabharata. Also, the principles of absolutism and hierarchy mostly associated with Hindu are still present and essential in the politics of the region up to date. It was not until 1200-1400 AD when Hinduism lost its influence in this region. The decline can be linked to the elitist religion doctrine based on the caste system. This led to the emergence of religions such as Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism because of their egalitarian nature that put salvation to the hands of the individuals.[Brown, Robert L. "Book Reviews—South Asia: The Hindu Tantric World: An Overview." TheJournal of Asian Studies 77, no. 3 (08, 2018): 830-831.doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0021911818000773.]
Buddhism in South East Asia
           During the Common Era, people from various regions in South East Asia came to know about Buddhism due to the increased contact with the Indian traders. In reality, the traders not only came to trade with locals but also introduced the natives to their religion and cultures. As a result, the locals started to exercise some of the faiths alongside their old beliefs and customs. Similarly, during the reign of King Ashoka, Monks were sent to Thaton, southern Burma, to spread the Buddhism teachings and culture. Later on, the trade between India and Burma led to increased contact of the locals with Indian traders and hence spurred the growth of Buddhism in this region. Subsequently, the Thaton people accepted religion more, especially after the arrival of Buddhist missionaries from Indian Buddhist centers. With no time, Theravada Buddhism was the most populous religion in Thaton.[Carbine, Jason A. "Book Reviews--Sout...