Impact of Religions

Hinduism, Buddhism and Islam had a great impact on the way the people of Southeast Asia lived. These religions had guided many rulers in the way they governed. Meanwhile, rulers of island Southeast Asia adopted Islam and calles themselves sultans. Their kingdoms were called sultanates.

However, as in ancient China, the people of SEA did not entirely foloow the teachings of their new religions and abandon their older beliefs. Instead, they combined their older beliefs with the teachings of their new religions.

Today, the religions of Hinduism, Buddhism and Islam continue to shape the lives of people in SEA. Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei are countries where the majority of the people are Muslims while the people in Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand and Myanmar are mostly Buddhists.