Ancient Indian Colonies in the Far East (Vol. I: Champa; Vol. II: Suvarnadvipa) v2.c13.s1.85

v2.c13.s1.85

The first valuable and authentic account of the state of Hindu culture in Java is furnished by Fa-hien. The ship, which that pilgrim took at Ceylon in order to return to his native land, was driven off its course by a storm, and Fa-hien had to stop in Yavadvipa (Ye-p'o-t'i) for five months, in the year 414-15 A. D. Regarding this country he observes that "various forms of error and Brāhmanism are flourishing, while Buddhism in it is not worth mentioning"¹. It appears clearly from this statement, that various forms of Brāhmanical religion were prevalent among the people of Java in general, but Buddhism had no strong hold over them. Fa-hien's remarks would justify the conclusion that Brāhmanical culture was not confined to a handful of colonists, settled among a vast native population, but that it was the prevailing religion of the country.