"Southeast Asia, also spelled South East Asia and South-East Asia, and also known as Southeastern Asia, South-eastern Asia or SEA, is the geographical south-eastern region of Asia, consisting of the regions that are situated south of mainland China, east of the Indian subcontinent, and north-west of mainland Australia which is part of Oceania."
The study of philosophy and religion in the context of Area Studies and Southeast Asian Studies explores the complex and diverse religious beliefs, practices, and philosophical traditions found in Southeast Asia.
Buddhism: A religion based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, emphasizing the Eightfold Path and the Four Noble Truths.
Hinduism: A religion that encompasses a diverse range of beliefs and practices, including worship of multiple gods and goddesses, karma, and reincarnation.
Confucianism: A philosophy and ethical system centered on the teachings of Confucius, emphasizing moral cultivation, respect for tradition, and social harmony.
Taoism: A Chinese philosophy and religion emphasizing alignment with the natural order and the pursuit of inner peace and harmony.
Zen Buddhism: A form of Buddhism emphasizing the practice of meditation and the attainment of enlightenment through direct experience.
Shamanism: A religious practice involving connection with the spiritual world through ritual and mediation.
Islam: A monotheistic religion founded on the teachings of Prophet Muhammad, emphasizing the importance of prayer, charity, and living a righteous life.
Christianity: A monotheistic religion centered on the teachings of Jesus Christ, emphasizing the importance of faith, love, and salvation.
Sikhism: A monotheistic religion founded on the teachings of Guru Nanak, emphasizing the pursuit of social justice and the importance of karma and reincarnation.
Animism: A belief system based on the idea that all natural objects and phenomena possess spiritual significance and consciousness.
Mysticism: A spiritual tradition emphasizing the pursuit of direct experience of the divine or transcendent.
Ethics: A branch of philosophy concerned with questions of morality and right and wrong actions.
Metaphysics: A branch of philosophy concerned with questions of reality and existence, including the nature of the self and the ultimate nature of reality.
Epistemology: A branch of philosophy concerned with questions of knowledge and belief, including the nature and sources of knowledge.
Ontology: A branch of philosophy concerned with questions of being and existence, including the nature of reality and the relationship between mind and matter.
Buddhism: A non-theistic religion founded by Gautama Buddha that emphasizes the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path as a means of achieving enlightenment and ending suffering.
Taoism: A philosophy and religion originating in China that emphasizes living in harmony with the Tao, an eternal and indescribable force that permeates all things.
Confucianism: A system of thought and behavior originating in China that emphasizes personal and societal morality, proper conduct, and respect for authority.
Hinduism: A religion originating in the Indian subcontinent that encompasses a wide range of beliefs and practices including bhakti (devotion), karma (action and consequences), and dharma (righteousness).
Islam: A monotheistic religion founded by the prophet Muhammad that emphasizes submission to the will of Allah and the importance of the Five Pillars of Islam.
Christianity: A monotheistic religion centered around the life and teachings of Jesus Christ that emphasizes faith, grace, and salvation.
Animism: A religious worldview that regards all objects and phenomena as having a spirit or essence, and that emphasizes the importance of maintaining balance and harmony between humans and the natural world.
Shintoism: A Japanese religion that emphasizes the worship of kami, or spirits, that are believed to inhabit natural and man-made objects.
Zen Buddhism: A form of Buddhism that emphasizes the practice of meditation and direct insight into the nature of reality.
Jainism: An Indian religion that emphasizes non-violence, self-control, and the pursuit of liberation from worldly attachments.
Sikhism: A monotheistic religion founded in India that emphasizes devotion to the one true God, social justice, and the importance of the Guru Granth Sahib, a holy text.
Bahá'í Faith: A monotheistic religion founded in Iran that emphasizes the unity of all religions and the equality of all people.
Falun Gong: A spiritual practice that combines meditation, qigong exercises, and moral teachings with the aim of improving physical and mental health.
Vyākaraṇa: A traditional Indian study of grammar and linguistics that examines the structure and meaning of language.
Vedanta: A philosophical tradition within Hinduism that emphasizes the unity of all reality and the ultimate goal of spiritual liberation.
Taoist philosophy: A philosophical tradition that originated in China and emphasizes living in harmony with the Tao, or the natural way of things.
Jain philosophy: A philosophical tradition within Jainism that emphasizes non-violence, self-control, and the pursuit of liberation from worldly attachments.
Islamic philosophy: A philosophical tradition within Islam that explores the nature of God, the universe, and humanity from a rational perspective.
Mahayana Buddhism: A branch of Buddhism that emphasizes compassion, wisdom, and the attainment of Buddhahood for the benefit of all sentient beings.
Theravada Buddhism: A branch of Buddhism that emphasizes personal enlightenment through meditation and the study of Buddhist texts.
Zen philosophy: A philosophical tradition within Zen Buddhism that emphasizes the practice of meditation and direct insight into the nature of reality.
"Southeast Asia is bordered to the north by East Asia, to the west by South Asia and the Bay of Bengal, to the east by Oceania and the Pacific Ocean, and to the south by Australia and the Indian Ocean."
"Apart from the British Indian Ocean Territory and two out of 26 atolls of Maldives in South Asia, Maritime Southeast Asia is the only other subregion of Asia that lies partly within the Southern Hemisphere."
"The Sunda Plate is the main plate of the region, featuring almost all Southeast Asian countries except Myanmar, northern Thailand, northern Laos, northern Vietnam, and northern Luzon of the Philippines, while the Sunda Plate only includes western Indonesia to as far east as the Indonesian province of Bali."
"The mountain ranges in Myanmar, Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, and the Indonesian islands of Sumatra, Java, Bali, Lesser Sunda Islands, and Timor are part of the Alpide belt, while the islands of the Philippines and Indonesia as well as East Timor are part of the Pacific Ring of Fire."
"It covers about 4,500,000 km2 (1,700,000 sq mi), which is 8% of Eurasia and 3% of Earth's total land area."
"Its total population is more than 675 million, about 8.5% of the world's population."
"It is the third most populous geographical region in Asia after South Asia and East Asia."
"Ten countries in the region are members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), a regional organisation established for economic, political, military, educational, and cultural integration amongst its members."
"Historically, Southeast Asia was significantly influenced by Indian, Chinese, Muslim, and colonial cultures, which became core components of the region's cultural and political institutions."
"European colonization exploited natural resources and labour from the lands they conquered, and attempted to spread European institutions to the region."
"Several Southeast Asian countries were also briefly occupied by the Japanese Empire during World War II."
"The aftermath of World War II saw most of the region decolonised."
"Today, Southeast Asia is predominantly governed by independent states."