Includes an opening summary page in all major regional languages (English, Bahasa Indonesia, Bahasa Malaysia, Burmese, Filipino, Khmer, Lao, Thai Vietnamese and Chinese. Beginning with the common origins of Southeast Asia’s peoples and languages, their shared heritage is emphasized through agricultural, archeological, cultural, geographical, historical, linguistic, religious and technological fields. Perennially defined by rice, stability and commerce, Southeast Asia has evolved a common trading ethic and morality influenced by China and India long before a short European colonial interlude. Historically known as a Golden Land, the region exudes a resilience founded in millennium-long traditions that are today expressed through local adaptations of world religions. ...

Summary Overview: in English v in Bahasa Indonesia vi in Bahasa Malaysia vii in Burmese viii in Filipino x in Khmer xi in Lao xii in Thai xiv in Vietnamese xvi in Chinese xvii if you would know me … xviii Author’s Note xix Chapters 1. One Common Region 1 2. Defining Southeast Asia 7 3. From Trade to Civilization 17 4. Commercial and Technology 25 5. Adapting to New Overlords 33 6. Rice and Culture 39 7. United by Commerce 45 8. 18th Century Consolidation 53 9. British-led Resurgence 57 10. Transition to 20th Century 63 11. Pendulum of Commerce 67 12. Emerging 1930s States 73 13. War and Independence 79 14. Marching to Statehood 83 15. Emerging Leadership 91 16. States to Nations to Region 99 17. Remote Peoples 105 18. Beliefs Systems 113 19. Evolving Syncretism 121 20. Religious Rebellions 129 21. Religion within Politics 137 22. Trade and Worldviews 143 23. Conclusion: Uniting Commonalities 147 Bibliography & Endnotes 155 Index 162 ...