The country that played the largest role in influencing the culture development and spreading of Buddhism to Southeast Asia is India. Buddhism originated in India in the 5th century BCE and gradually spread to neighboring regions including Southeast Asia. Indian traders, scholars, and missionaries played crucial roles in disseminating Buddhist teachings and practices to countries like Myanmar (Burma), Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam. The adoption and adaptation of Buddhism in these regions significantly impacted their cultural, artistic, architectural, and philosophical traditions.
