How Hinduism and Buddhism spread to Southeast Asia

Hinduism spread to Southeast Asia around the 1st century CE. It was believed that Hindu priest were invited to teach Indian culture., Many historians concluded that because India was one of the most advanced civilisations of the ancient world, the kings of Southeast Asia wanted to learn from the Indians. The Hindu kings also built impressive Hindu monuments like the Angkor Wat in Cambodia. However, the Hinduism that was introduced by the ancient Indians only survived on the Indonesian island of Bali.

Buddhism spread to Southeast Asia c. 300CE. It was brought there by Indian and Chinese traders, and also the Missionaries that travelled with the traders. Many impressive Buddhism monuments were built like the famous Borobudur complex in Indonesia, and the Ananda temple in Myanmar. Although Buddhism did not survive in the Indonesian islands. It is still an important religion in Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam.