History of Southeast Asian Religious Development History Research

History of Southeast Asian Religious Development
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Introduction
The pre-history and knowledge of South East Asia religion have undergone exceptionally rapid changes as a result of archaeological discoveries in the nineteenth century. Although the interpretation of these findings has been a subject of extensive discussion, it is clear that the region has been inhabited since the earliest times. Research shows Hommid fossil remains in the area dates back to 1.5 million ago and those of Homo sapiens approximately forty thousand years ago. Further, the change in sea levels witnessed today shows some elements of human inhabitation. Until the 7000 BCE, the seas were some 150 feet lower than they are now. Also, the stone tools used for hunting and gathering depict some similarities in design and developments. Therefore, it is evident from the earliest times the region was inhabited with human development.[Noss, David S., and Blake R. Grangaard. A History of the World's Religions. Routledge, 2017.SarDesai, Damodar R. Southeast Asian History: Essential Readings. Routledge, 2018.Smith, Donald Eugene. South Asian politics and religion. Vol. 2374. PrincetonUniversity Press, 2015.] [Church, Peter. A short history of South-East Asia. John Wiley & Sons, 2017]
Southeast Asia, with more than six hundred million people spread across eleven countries, is home to millions of Muslims, Buddhists, Animists, Catholics, Pentecostals, Confucians, and many followers of local religions and spiritual beliefs. Approximately 40% of the population is Muslims, 21% Christians, and the rest percentage represent other religions. While there are both Muslims and Christian minorities in mainland Southeast Asia (Myanmar, Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand), it is in Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia, Brunei, and Timor Loro Sae where Islam and Christianity are solidly established. Actually, in the seventeenth, Islam gained support in present-day Malaysia, Brunei, southern Philippines, and Indonesia in the 17th century. Similarly, Christianity created firm support in the Philippines, where 93% of the population is Christian and notably Roman Catholic during the same.[Dayley, Robert. Southeast Asia in the new international era. Routledge, 2018.] [Al Qurtuby, Sumanto. "Southeast Asia: History, Modernity, and Religious Change." AlAlbab 2, no. 2 (2015).] [Kunstadter, Peter. Southeast Asian tribes, minorities, and nations. Vol. 1. Princeton UniversityPress, 2017.]
Developments of Hinduism in South East Asia
         Hinduism is considered the world’s oldest religion, with roots and customs dating back to more than four thousand years. Currently, it is ranked as the third-largest religion, with over 900 million followers across the world. Hinduism originated from India before it spread to other regions such as Europe, Africa, Australia, South East Asia, North America, and the Caribbean. Hinduism origins date back to the ancient religious hymns that were created in the second millennium BC. Interestingly, up to date, Hinduism is the most populous religion in India, with over 95% of Hindus living in this country. The doctrine found itself in ...