Impact of Religions

Hinduism , Buddhism and Islam had a great impact on the way the people of ancient Southeast Asia lived. These religions guided many ancient Southeast Asian rulers in the way they governed. However , as in ancient China , the people of ancient Southeast Asia did not entirely follow 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 the people in Southeast Asia . 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.