Hinduism in South East Asia

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Hinduism in South East Asia dates back to many centuries. In fact, it

is the first religion that was part of the world. Its influence on

the lives of the people of South East Asia has been so profound, so

much so, it has left an indelible mark on their languages, cultures

and traditions.

 

Earliest record of Hinduism in this part of the world can be found in

Ramayana. The Epic while spelling the word Yamadvipa, also mentions

Malayadvipa. Historians believe this to be a reference to Malaya.

 

G Coedes, in his book, The Indianised State of South East Asia,

notes that, around the beginning of the Christian era, South_East

Asia was a geographical area known as "Farther India" and

consisted

the Indonesian islands, the Indo_Chinese Peninsula and the Malay

Peninsula. The region was popularly known was Swarna Bhumi ( Land of

Gold) for the Indian navigators, adventurers, Hindus and Buddhist

missionaries.

 

D.G.E Hall in his book " A history of South East Asia" refer

to

Chinese sources as invaluable historical pieces of evidence with

regards to "Hinduisation" of South East Asia. He writes :

"They do

indeed give us our earliest glimpse of a Hindu court, that of Funan,

the precursor of Cambodia, and they mention the story of the Brahman

Kaundinya.."

 

D.G.E.Hall states that, around the 4th century, northern Malaya was

drawn into the `Indian-type' kingdoms established in

Southeast Asia,

and the local inhabitants became Hindus. He records that reports by

Chinese travelers have confirmed this; Fa Hsien, a Chinese pilgrim

homeward after visiting India, observes that he found Hinduism in the

form of Brahmanism flourishing in Java.

 

In the early 10th Century, the Cholas from South India have begun to

raid eastwards under the capable leadership of Raja Raja Chola. His

son and successor, Rajendra Chola, has been credited to have

extended his influence over the possessions of Sri Vijaya in Malaya.

Details of this great raid had been recorede by Rajendra in an

inscription of Tanjore dated 1030-31 and other exploits of Cholas are

found on the Thiruvalangadu copper plates.

 

The discovery of Siva tomb-temples in Kedah or Kadaram, belonging to

the period of about seventh to the 11th century, has testimonial

effect that Hinduism has made its impact in Northern Malays

coinciding with the empire of Sri Vijaya.

 

The "Hinduised" Sri Vijaya empire consolidated the many Hindu

states

in the Malay Peninsula and neighbouring Sumatra and Java in the 8th

Century, followed by the Sailendras.

 

According to Hall, the impressions left behind by the Cholas on South

East Asia have in the following regions :

1. Palembang

2. Malayur ( Jambi )

3. Pane

4. on the west coast of Sumatra

5. Lankasuka (ligor)

6. Takola in Southern Siam

7. Kedah which is on the Malay Peninsula Mainland

8. Tumasik – the old name for Singapore

9. Acheh at the northern tip of Sumatra

10. the nicobar Islands.

 

Other monuments of the Hindu influences in South East Asia include

the Angkor Wat in Cambodia, built by Suryavarman, and the Perambantan

Temples in Java, built between the 8th and 10th centuries.

 

In describing the grandeur and splendour of the architecture of the

Prambanan Temple, Sir Stamford raffles, in his book "History of

Java"

wrote :

 

"In the whole course of my life I have never met with such

stupendous

and finished specimens of human labour and of the science of taste of

ages long since forgotten, crowded together in so small a compass as

in this little spot "

 

There is an abundance of evidence to show that Hinduism was an

embodiment in every facet of life of the peoples of South East Asia

and that the kings were the supreme symbol of the religion

 

J.F. Cady in his book " South East Asia, Its historical

developments"

notes

 

"The divine authority of South East Asian rulers derived from

Hinduism. The Kings were frequently indentified as reincarnations of

God Indra, representing kingly authority and power"

 

Cady goes on to say :

 

" A symbol of royalty, the Naga snakes head has been long used in

Thailand, Cambodia and also Burma"

 

The Garuda a symbol used by Indonesia has also got a Hindu bearing.

 

Another noted historian, H.G Quaritch Wales, in his book, The Making

of Greater India concludes that the southern half of Greater India (

Sumatra, Malaya, Java, Borneo and Bali) have been more directly

exposed to South Indian influences, particularly that of the Pallavas

and Cholas.

 

Hindu influences was also prevalent even during the time of

Parameswara in Malacca, a Hindu prince from Palembang who founded the

Malaccan Sultanate.

 

The Hindu influence also left a legacy of Indian cultures and

provided a nucleus for royal traditions in this region.

 

The Indonesian Ballet, the Malaysian shadow theatres or wayang Kulit,

the Thai and Balinese dances were all inspired by Ramayana,

Mahabaratha and the Puranas.

 

".. In several aspects of modern Malay culture in which Indian

influences persist most vigorously are in the enthronement of Malay

Sultans and the preludes to traditional Malay shadow plays. The plays

themselves re-enact stories from Ramayana.." says G. Netto in his

book Indians in Malaya.

 

T.P. Meenatchi Sunderam, a researcher from Annamalay University

wrote :

 

"The hymns from Thevaram and Thiruvasagam are read out in Thai

language translated from Romanised Tamil during the crowning

ceremonies of the Thai kings"

 

Coedes also reaffirms this transmission of Hindu cultural elements by

saying that it penetrated into the royalty where the Kings took

Sanskrit names and adopted Vedic practices.

 

Numerous names of places too in South East Asia took on Sanskrit or

Tamil names. The name "Singapura" is definitely of Indian

origin –

"Singa" meaning Lion and "Pura" refers to City.

 

In conclusion, it is abundantly evident that Hinduism is the first

and the oldest religions to spread its influences in this part of the

world and that it has left an everlasting impact in the realm of

language, literature, culture and tradition of the peoples of South

East Asia

 

Articles courtesy of Hindu Endowment Board, Singapore