Have you ever wondered why in Southeast Asia, there are majestic Buddhist monuments? From Angkor Wat in Cambodia to Borobudur in Indonesia, these ancient structures are evidence and remnants of an era where Buddhism was the dominant religion in the region.

The Straits of Malacca has always been an important trading corridor for generations of traders from the oceans on both side of the Malay Peninsula.  The ancient Chinese classified the oceans into east and west.  In the days before the invention of the steam engine, seafaring was dependent on winds and the monsoons.  In those days, it was extremely difficult to sail down from the South China Sea and up the Indian Ocean (from China) in one monsoon season (and vice versa).

So, rather than sailing from one sea to another and taking up journeys longer than a year, traders and merchants were happy to meet halfway in the Straits of Melaka and traded with one another.  The influx of merchants from all over the Asian world, with wealth from trade, led to the rapid rise of rich and sophisticated kingdoms and civilisations in the Malay Peninsula, Java and Sumatra.

Nestled in the crowds of traders and merchants were Buddhist pilgrims.  Up to the mid-seventh century, the most common route for Chinese monks seeking to visit India would be via land.  However, from late seventh century onwards, sea routes became popular. 

Ports sprung up in Java, Sumatra and Malay Peninsula where trading activities flourished between the region and the rest of the world.  According to scholars, Buddhism was an important religion in the region during the period from 600 to 1400 CE. 

During this glorious period, religious links between India and the Southeast Asia region were strong.  The renowned Nalanda University had huge influence on the Buddhist learnings and practices in the region.  In return, the local rulers also contributed funds back to India to support Buddhism.  The Nalanda inscription is one evidence of the contribution by Srivijaya rulers to India and Buddhism. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nalanda_inscription

The Srivijaya empire controlled much of Southeast Asia from the 8^th to 12^th century and they sponsored the construction of many Buddhist temples in Palembang, Jambi and Java.  The biggest and most magnificent of the temples is Borobudur.  Other notable temples that we can still visit today are Sewu, Plaosan and Mendut.

The renowned reputation of these temples is such that many came to the region to study Sanskrit, an Indian language, before going to India.  Some monks were known to have stayed in these local monasteries for years (or for the rest of their lives) to study.  Renown Buddhist monks include Yijing (635-713 CE) and Atisha (980-1054 CE).

Join us for our signature Borobudur tour where we look at the world’s largest Buddhist monument and develop insights into the spread of Buddhism into this region.