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The Advent of Buddhism and Kingship in Suvarnabhumi
Srisakra Vallibhotama
Translated by Pornnalat Phachyakorn
Overview
The early trade between India and Southeast Asia, also known as ‘Suvarnabhumi’ or ‘the Land of Gold,’ had contributed to the development of the communities and cultures in the region by bringing along the ancient Indian civilization. This article will focus on the adoption of Indian traditions of religion and political administration in the Suvarnabhumi region.
The great richness of natural resources and goods in Suvarnabhumi had attracted Indian traders since 1,000 BCE., prompting social and economic interactions between the more developed culture and the other with emergent cultures. To the peoples of Suvarnabhumi, the cultural contact with India meant an introduction to a literate society as well as distinct forms of arts and science. However, in terms of religion and governance, it is debatable that Suvarnabhumi societies were completely Indianized states since they had developed their own forms of local governance as early as 500 BCE. In other words, the concepts of kingship had already been in place in the region long before India’s cultural transmission, the Indian kingship was, thus, later adopted and integrated into the local context.
According to various archaeological evidence, it can be concluded that in the early Suvarnabhumi period prior to the reign of an Indian ruler King Ashoka the Great, the commercial interaction with India via sea-route did not only bring the goods exchange, but also established good relations and closeness with the local. Many Indian merchants and traders had taken residence and established trade communities in Suvarnabhumi states. The settlement and colonies of Indians can pass on their way of life in the host countries and intermarriage with locals would reinforce and accelerate the voluntary imposition of Indian culture.
As Buddhism was a significant religion of India’s merchant caste, it was common for the Buddhist monks and Brahmans to travel along with them. Through these evangelists that Indian religious and divine kingship traditions were transmitted to the rulers and people of Suvarnabhumi states. Buddhism played a major role in instilling the concepts of kingship because Buddhism explains a cosmology where ‘Chakkravartin’ or the king is the central figure in society.
India’s religious and political influence is also visible in this region through art forms, such as a bas-relief depicting an image of King Ashoka turning the Wheel of Dharma (Dharma Chakra).
Translator : Pornnalat Prachyakorn
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