QA Question: Is Southeast Asian culture a fusion of Indian culture and Chinese culture?

Body translation

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Johannes Sulistyo

Almost correct.

But I doubt the Chinese one. At least reading Larry Gonick’s cartoon and his reading material sources, I would say that it is the Indochina that influences the Chinese, particularly the Southern one (the barbaric Yue people). The Yues have been part of Chinese history since ancient times, but is always different from the rest of other middle kingdom entities.

When the Chinese adopted and accepted Buddhism during Han dynasty period. It is not until Tang dynasty that it became so mainstream and fully adopted into tri-dharma school (three righteous way), which composed of Taoism, Confucianism, and Buddhism.

The first scxt was brought in from ancient Afghanistan. And thus born the Chinese “connection” with Indian Buddhism culture, which were heavily influenced by Hindu culture. In turn, this influenced some IndoChinese, especially Vietnam.

Pretty much right.

But I doubt the claims about China. At least after reading Larry Gonick's cartoons and his readings, I would say that Indochina influenced China, especially the Yue people (barbaric Yue people) in the south. The Yue people have been a part of Chinese history since ancient times, but have always been different from the rest of the Middle Kingdom.

The Chinese began to embrace Buddhism during the Han Dynasty. It was not until the Tang Dynasty that Buddhism became mainstream and was fully incorporated into the Three Sects (Noble Path), namely Taoism, Confucianism, and Buddhism.

The earliest writing in South Asia was introduced from ancient Afghanistan. As a result, China developed a "connection" with Indian Buddhist culture, which was heavily influenced by Hindu culture. This, in turn, affected some Indochinese people, especially the Vietnamese.

What I learn at school

Before the merchants from Arabian Peninsula arrived here, merchants from “Barat” (Indonesian for ‘west’) or India, particularly Gujarat, arrived here first. They replaced animism and dynamism with Hinduism. This brand of local Hinduism is actually a unique mixture between local beliefs and wisdoms, inserted into mainstream Hindu beliefs.

Evidence includes:

Prambanan temple, a heritage of Hinduism past:

Our shadow puppet art or “wayang”

What I learned in school

Before the arrival of merchants from the Arabian Peninsula, traders from "Bharat" (meaning "West" in Indonesian) or India, especially Gujarat, had already arrived here. They replaced animism and vitalism with Hinduism. This indigenous Hinduism is actually a unique blend of indigenous beliefs and wisdom into the mainstream Hindu faith.

Evidence includes:

Prambanan Temple, Heritage of the Hindu Past:

Our art of shadow puppetry or "shadow puppetry"

Original translation: Longteng.com https://www.ltaaa.cn Please indicate the source for reprinting

Notice the Javanese scxt that borrows from Brahmi scxt, which is also used in Sanskrit. The ancient form or kawi (Sanskrit: kavi, or ‘poet’), is pretty much undistinguishable from the south Indian scxts.

While wayangs are largely inspired by Hindu mythologies. The locals, particularly Javanese inserted a couple of local wisdom figures into the general storyline such as this figure “Semar”:

In the wayang plays, Semar is often inserted in Stan Lee-like Marvel cameos, as the wise figure who gives practical instead of philosophical advice to the main characters. He reflects the usually practical and worldly Javanese “down to earth” kind of wisdom.

King Suryavarman II of Khmer Empire, who builds the famous Angkor Wat. The building is proudly displayed in Cambodian flag today.

Note that Javanese borrows Brahmi, which is also used in Sanskrit. The ancient form or kawi (Sanskrit: kavi, meaning "poet") is almost indistinguishable from the South Indian script.

Although shadow puppetry is largely inspired by Hindu mythology. The locals, especially the Javanese, have included several local wisdom figures in the storyline, such as this character "Semar":

In shadow puppetry, Semar often makes cameo appearances like Stan Lee, as a wise man who gives practical rather than philosophical advice to the protagonists. He embodies the "down-to-earth" wisdom of the Javanese people who are usually pragmatic and sophisticated.

King Suryavarman II of the Khmer Empire, who built the famous Angkor Wat. Today, the building proudly hangs the Cambodian flag.

Notice the strong Indian influence in His name and the architecture.

Our currency:

Indonesian rupiah - Wikipedia

Rupiah is derived from Sanskrit Rupyakam, which probably also inspired Indian Rupee. It means “silver”. Colloquially, Indonesians sometimes uses word “perak” or silver in Malay for rupiah, just as Americans use “bucks” for US dollar and Britons use “quid” for Poundsterling.

Hindu god Vishnu (Wisnu)’s vahana (wahana) or “mount”, is the mythical bird of Garuda is:

Notice the strong Indian influence in his name and architecture.

Our Currency:

Indonesian Rupiah - Wikipedia

The rupee is derived from the Sanskrit word Rupyakam, and the Indian rupee may have been inspired by it as well. It means "silver". Colloquially, Indonesians sometimes use the Malay word "perak" or "silver" for rupiah, just as Americans use "bucks" for dollars and Britons use "quid" for pounds.

印度教神毗湿奴(Vishnu)的坐骑,即"坐骑",是神话中的迦楼罗(Garuda)鸟:

You can’t deny the connection with ancient India.

Then we came to contact with China. This means that we were already “cultured” when the Chinese arrived, making their influence on Southeast Asia rather a “later foreign adaptation” than the “actual source material” that inspires the development and expansion of our culture.

But this might be different for Vietnam, which was influenced more by the Chinese and less connection with India and neighbouring cultures.

You can't deny the connection with ancient India.

Then we started to reach out to China. This means that by the time the Chinese arrived, we were already "literate," which makes their influence on Southeast Asia more like a "later foreign culture" than the "actual source" that inspired our cultural development and expansion.

But the situation in Vietnam may be different, as Vietnam is more influenced by China and has less cultural ties to India and neighboring countries.

Comment translation

@Nguyễn Van Hung

As a Vietnamese, thank you for acknowledging that we are not influenced by Indian culture.

Although Vietnamese people don’t like China, Chinese culture is really much better than India

As a Vietnamese, thank you for acknowledging that we are not influenced by Indian culture.

Although the Vietnamese don't like China, the Chinese culture is really much stronger than India's.

@Just Travelling

Indonesia, Thailand and Malayasia along with Cambodia have been influenced by Indian culture. Vietnam is more influenced by Chinese culture.

Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia and Cambodia have all been influenced by Indian culture. Vietnam is more influenced by Chinese culture.

@Aryan Arav

Singapore, Myanmar as well

The same is true for Singapore and Myanmar

@Ben

Southeast Asia is part of the Chinese world aka ‘Sinosphore’ influenced by India through Buddhism or Islam, just like China!

Southeast Asia is part of the Chinese world and has been influenced by Indian culture through Buddhism or Islam, just like China!

@Ayush Karn

South vietnam along with philliphenes was influenced by indian culture more during champa rule or I can say north vietnam also to a extent because of buddhism

During the period of Cham rule, South Vietnam and the Philippines were influenced by more Indian culture, and I can say that North Vietnam was also influenced by Buddhism to some extent.

@Nguyễn Van Hung

Vietnam has some Hindu architecture, but 90% of our ancient culture comes from China.

Vietnam does have some Hindu architecture, but 90% of our ancient culture is from China.

@Andy Broqueza

Philippines is influenced by China more than India in the pre-colonial era. However, in the modern-day, most of the Philippines culture and mindset were influenced by Spanish and Americans. Only a small percentage of Philippine culture is Indian or Chinese

Before colonization, the Philippines was under greater Chinese influence than India. However, in modern times, much of the culture and mindset in the Philippines has been influenced by Spaniards and Americans. Only a very small part of Filipino culture is Indian or Chinese.

@Paruchuri S Prasad

Good question ans very lucid answer.

As a Indian who knows the Indian epics Mahabharata and Ramayana and once a cricket aficionado, Srilankan names always intrigued me as they are name that we generally use for rulers of warriors. Sri Lankan President is Mythripala Sirisena. Their former President was Chanrika Kumaratunga and her mother, perhaps the first woman PM of any country was SiriMao Bhandaranayake.

Later I feel in love with the name Megawati Sukarnoputi, your former President. This was exotic. One of your satellites was name Chakrawarta; I do not know if it is still in orbit. Even Jakarta has its origins in Sanskit root. As you said, influence of Indian culture is very heavy on Indonesian culture.

Love to read more such posts from you.

Very good questions and clear answers.

As an Indian who is familiar with the Mahabharata and Ramayana and used to be a cricket enthusiast, Sri Lankan names always intrigue me as they are often the names we use to address rulers or warriors. The President of Sri Lanka is Mythripala Sirisena. Their former president was Chanrika Kumaratunga, and her mother, perhaps the first female prime minister of any country, was Siri Mao Bhandaranayake.

Later, I fell in love with the name of your former president, Megawati Sukarnoputi. It's so exotic. One of your moons is named Chakrawarta; I don't know if it's still in orbit. Even the origins of Jakarta can be traced back to Sanskrit. As you said, the influence of Indian culture on Indonesian culture is very profound.

Looking forward to reading more posts like this.

@Naveen Kumar

Well, Indonesia means “Indian Islands” (and also “Internal Islands”). South East Asia was earlier called East Indies.

Well, Indonesia means "Indo-Islands" (and also "Inner Islands"). Southeast Asia was formerly known as the East Indies.

@Soham Bhandari

Better to say india used islands

A better way to say that India used the islands

@Kala Asmna

Indian allied islands.

We never conquered them,more like strong friends.

An ally island of India.

We never conquered them, more like powerful friends.

@Sandhya Bhandarwar

Yes, Indonesia has cities names Purwakarta , Yogyakarta …

Yes, there are cities in Indonesia such as Pulhuakata, Yogyakarta...