What major world religions have spread into Southeast Asia over the past 2,000 years, and in what parts of the region did they become established?

Question

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Answer 1

Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, and Christianity all diffused into the region. Hinduism was first, and initially influenced the establishment of several kingdoms throughout the region. However, with the arrival of Buddhism, Hinduism was largely displaced, and remains only in small, isolated pockets, such as on the island of Bali. Buddhism remains dominate throughout much of mainland Southeast Asia. Beginning in the 1200s Islam began to diffuse throughout, especially, insular Southeast Asia. It remains dominant in Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, southern Thailand, and the southern Philippines. Christianity was introduced to the region through the activities of European colonialists and missionaries. The Philippines is the only predominantly Christian (Catholic) nation in the region, along with East Timor (Catholic). Important clusters of Christianity are found in Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore.