CAMBODIA
Full country name:
Country Area:
Population:
Languages (official):
Religions:
Kingdom of Cambodia
70,238 square miles (183,400 square kilometers)
11,339,562
Khmer
Theravada Buddhism 95%, other religions 5%
Vatt Buddhaghosacara 656 Sunset CT. San Jose, CA 95116 Phone: (408) 729-8944 or 926-5773Khmers Buddhist Organization http://www.khmerbuddhist.org
Khmers Buddhist Organization
LAOS
Lao People's Democratic Republic
91,428 square miles (236,800 square kilometers)
5,116,900
Laotian
Buddhism 85%, other religions 15%
The landscape of this country is dominated by inhospitable, forest-covered mountains which rise 9,248 feet (2,819 meters) above sea level in the north. The principal mountain range, known as the Annamite Chain, runs from the northwest to the southeast along the Laos-Vietnamese border. Buddhism was introduced to Laos between the 11 th and 15th Century. According to scholars, King Fa Ngoum made Theravada Buddhism the national religion of Laos. It is tradition for male Lao youths to dedicate a part of their lives to become a Buddhist monk. They shave their heads, wear saffron robes, and carry begging bowls.
Buddhism was introduced to Laos between the 11 th and 15th Century. According to scholars, King Fa Ngoum made Theravada Buddhism the national religion of Laos. It is tradition for male Lao youths to dedicate a part of their lives to become a Buddhist monk. They shave their heads, wear saffron robes, and carry begging bowls.
THAILAND
Kingdom of Thailand
198,456 square miles (514,003 square kilometers)
59,450,818
Siamese
Buddhism 94.4%, Islam 4%, and Hindu 1.1%, Catholic 0.5%
Buddhism entered Thailand around the 15th or 16th century. Thailand has about 18,000 Buddhist temples and 140,000 Buddhist priests. Theravada Buddhism plays a major role in the lives of people who live in Thailand. Buddhism is not only found in Thailand, but throughout other Southeast Asian countries as well including Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam. Traditionally, Thai youths dedicate part of their lives to being a Buddhist monk as they shave their heads, wear saffron robes, and carry begging bowls.
VIETNAM
Vietnam
127,246 square miles (329,566 square kilometers)
77,326,000
Vietnamese
Buddhism, Confucianism, Catholicism, Christianity, Caodaism, Hoa Hao
URL: http://www.chuavietnam.com
Buddhism was introduced into Vietnam many centuries ago. Buddhist communities were founded and temples were built during the Dinh Tien Hoang dynasty, and Buddhism continued to develop during the Ly and the Tran dynasties. According to scholars, throughout many dynasties and centuries Buddhism became very popular; and it played an important role in the social developments of Vietnam. Surrounded by China, Cambodia, and Laos, the Vietnamese were influenced by both the Theravada and the Mahayana traditions. Overall, however, it was more heavily dominated by Mahayana Buddhism, which spread from China. This is probably because the Vietnamese culture is more closely related to that of the Chinese. Despite the diversity of religions in Vietnam, most Vietnamese are Buddhists, with hardly any contrast between Theravada and Mahayana Buddhists. In addition to Buddhism, there are other religions in Vietnam, such as Caodaism and Hoa Hao Buddhism. These traditions are the results of the diverse interpretations of the Buddha's teaching in Vietnam.
