LESSON 8.6 How did religions influence the Khmer Empire?
LEARNING INTENTION By the end of this lesson you should be able to explain how religious changes affected the Khmer Empire, influencing people’s beliefs, art and architecture.
Tune in Religion has always been an important aspect of life in South-East Asia. Study the young men in SOURCE1 and answer the following questions. 1. Do you recognise the clothing of these young men? 2. What religion do you think they belong to? 3. Discuss how and why you think that religion came to Cambodia.
SOURCE1 Young Buddhist monks at Angkor
8.6.1
Animism and Hinduism
Religious ideas motivated Khmer rulers to build impressive temples. During Angkor’s peak, the region saw shifts from Hinduism to two forms of Buddhism, with these religions influencing the Khmer Empire’s development. Animism Initially, South-East Asian people were animists, believing that natural elements like wind and rain, as well as animals and objects, had spirits. They also worshipped ancestors. When adopting major religions, people often blended them with local beliefs. Hinduism Hinduism was the first major religion in South-East Asia, originating in India with gods such as Vishnu and Shiva. Over time, followers began to choose specific deities from the many gods in Hinduism.
SOURCE2 Shiva is the Hindu god of destruction and regeneration.
Jacaranda Humanities Alive 8 Victorian Curriculum Third Edition
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