Khmer religion event

[Vityviktor]

In the last Hungary patch they added an event ("Confucian heritage") for Dai Viet allowing them to change their religion from Mahayana Buddhism to Confucianism. I think a similar event could be given to Khmer, so they can change their religion to Hinduism.

Initially the kingdom revered Hinduism as the main state religion. [...] The empire's official religions included Hinduism and Mahayana Buddhism until Theravada Buddhism prevailed, even among the lower classes, after its introduction from Sri Lanka in the 13th century. (From Wikipedia)

If Dai Viet is allowed to adopt Confucianism as a new state religion, Khmer should be able to switch to Hinduism too, maybe triggering a Theravada Buddhist zealot rebellion, or something like that.

 

[neondt]

I don't think the situations are very similar.

In Dai Viet, Confucianism was endorsed by the ruling dynasty, and its institutions (such as the exam system which made Confucian study a mandatory part of qualification for civil bureaucracy) and places of worship were constructed and patronised by the elite. The population remained overwhelmingly Mahayana Buddhist. The event represents this, as well as a compromise between having no Mahayana nations in 1444 and an accurate depiction of Dai Viet's state religion.

In 'dark age' Cambodia, Buddhism had been both the official religion of the elite and the dominant religion of the population (at least the population of the capital and major urban centres) for a very long time. Angkor Wat was converted to a Buddhist temple some time in the late 1100's. As you quoted, Theravada Buddhism specifically won out by the EU period. I don't see any reason why Cambodia would in 1444 or later decide to revert to Hinduism. If a Khmer player wants to do that, it's not at all difficult to use rebels to achieve this.

 

[SantoshKashyap]

If you look at the modern Cambodian Calendar, the internal mechanics are still Hindu.

The age of the Great Khmer Empire is already over when EU4 begins. (decline owing to constant wars, natural disasters and most importantly religion - After the Kings adopted to Theravada they lost their "Mandate"). There are instances where after a Mahayana Buddhist king there came a Hindu King destroying most religious constructions of previous kings and later again a Theravada King wold destroy religious constructions of previous heretics. In the EU4 era there are mostly Theraveda Kings and Angkor itself was abandoned after 1431 - so again out of EU4 era.

I would agree for there is no reason Cambodia be HIndu without a deliberate rebel spawn. Further if some interesting mechanics are to be added then let Chams be asked to restore Angkor to Hinduism for they are still Hindu when EU4 starts. (But I am not very much aware of their history or what were general sentiments of people in that age. But yes it does add some flavour.)

There are half a dozen hindu provinces in this area and making Hindu-Buddhism heretics will be one way to go. On contrary Hindu-Buddhist being heretic and not heathen will not be acceptable to the designers even though that will be a correction.

• Since there are more historical literature on Muslim conquest of India, naturally there is a Hindustan (without Hindus ironically).
• There are few or no literature about Buddhism restoration in these regions and so the very idea is neglected despite sentiments.
• The truth actually does not reflect the sentiment of the people but the views of a handful of historians.

The idea of "Greater Bharat" and the sentiments of general people was very much alive till Mahayana Buddhism was strong in this region. After the decline of Sena in Bengal & Theravada gaining prominence in this part it was slowly forgotten.

 

[VolitionNewlove]

There are half a dozen hindu provinces in this area and making Hindu-Buddhism heretics will be one way to go. On contrary Hindu-Buddhist being heretic and not heathen will not be acceptable to the designers even though that will be a correction.

Crusader Kings II actually does something like this. They're still considered different religions, nominally, but they're still in the same religious group. I'm sure EUIV could do something similar.