Buddhism in Southeast Asia

Thai Theravada monks on pilgrimage.

Buddhism in Southeast Asia is mostly Theravadin. Vietnam however had in pre-Communist times a Mahayana majority due to Chinese influence. Indonesia was Mahayana Buddhist since the time of the Sailendra and Srivijaya empires but Mahayana Buddhism in Indonesia is now largely practiced by the Chinese diaspora, as in Singapore and Malaysia.

Southeast Asian countries with a Theravada Buddhist majority are Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Burma.

Mahayana Buddhism with traditional Chinese religions such as Taoism and Confucianism (Ancestor Worship) is the predominant religion of mostly Chinese communities in Singapore where it's the largest religion, though it does not form a majority; while in Malaysia, Brunei, Philippines and Indonesia it is a strong minority. Vietnam continues to have Mahayana Buddhist majority to this day.

History of Buddhism in Southeast Asia

{expand}

Buddhism in Southeast Asian countries

Currently, there is around 150 -190 million Buddhists in Southeast Asia, making it the second largest religion in the region, after Islam. Thus, around 35 to 38% of the global Buddhist population resides in Southeast Asia.

• Thailand has the largest number of Buddhists with approximately 95% of its population of 67 million adhering to Buddhism, placing it at around 63.75 million.

• Myanmar has around 49 million Buddhists, with 89% of its 57 million citizens practicing Theravada Buddhism. Around 1% of the population, mainly the Chinese, practice Mahayana Buddhism alongside Taoism, but are strongly influenced by Theravada Buddhism.

• Vietnam may have a large number of Buddhists, but the Communist government under-reports the religious adherence of its citizens. It has around 44 million Buddhists, around half its population.

• 95% of Cambodia's population adheres to Theravada Buddhism, placing its Buddhist population at around 14 million.

• Malaysia has about 20% of its citizens, mainly ethnic Chinese and migrant workers, practicing Buddhism. The Chinese mainly practice Mahayana Buddhism, but due to the efforts of Sinhalese monks, Theravada also enjoys a significant following.

• Communist Laos has around 5 million Buddhists, who form roughly 70% of its population.

• Indonesia has around 4.75 million Buddhists (2% of its population), mainly amongst its Chinese population. Most Indonesian Buddhists adhere to Theravada Buddhism, mainly of the Thai tradition.

• Singapore and the Philippines have around 2 million Buddhists each, forming around 33% and 2% of their populations respectively. Singapore has the most vibrant Buddhist scene with all three major traditions having large followings. Mahayana Buddhism has the largest presence amongst the Chinese, while many immigrants from countries such as Myanmar, Thailand and Sri Lanka practice Theravada Buddhism.

• Brunei, which has the smallest population in Southeast Asia, has around 13% of its citizens and a significant migrant worker population adhering to Buddhism, at around 65,000.

See also

• Buddhism in Asia
• Buddhism in East Asia
• Buddhism by country

External links

• Buddhanet: Buddhism in Southeast Asia