SPREAD OF HINDUISM
Hinduism exerted an enormous influence on the civilizations of Southeast Asia and contributed greatly to the development of a written tradition in that area. About the beginning of the Common Era, Indian merchants may have settled there, bringing Brahmans and Buddhist monks with them. These religious men were patronized by rulers who converted to Hinduism or Buddhism.
SPREAD OF BUDDHISM
Based on the teachings of the venerable Buddha, Buddhism is one of the three major religions in the world. Originated in India, Buddhism gradually spread to other Asian areas, like Sri Lanka, Tibet, China, Korea and Japan. Buddhism first came to China during the first and second centuries by way of the Silk Road. The practitioners from India traveled along the Silk Road, spreading their faith in Buddhism as well as various goods from the West. In this respect, the Silk Road played a key role in transporting trade and exchanging distinct cultures between countries in the Middle East, India, Central Asia, China and Japan. As a result, Buddhism influenced Chinese life and culture in the later centuries.