Hinduism expansion in Asia, from its heartland in Indian Subcontinent, to the rest of Asia, especially Southeast Asia, started circa 1st century marked with the establishment of early Hindu settlements and polities in Southeast Asia.

Almost the entire Hindu community in Brunei is made up of people of Indian origin. The approximate size is a few thousand. There are two Hindu temples in Brunei. According to the 2001 census, 124 of the Hindus are citizens and another 91 are permanent residents. The rest are non-citizens.[1]

Hinduism is practised by a minority of ethnic Tamils,[2] which comprises mainly doctors, engineers working in Brunei and others working in the education sector, both at school and university or college level as professors and teachers as well as research personnel.[3]

Gorkha Hindus

There is a Nepalese community in Seria, Belait in Brunei, made up of members of the British Army 's Brigade of Gurkhas. Historically, they have contributed in ensuring Brunei's autonomy[4][5]

Brunei Hindu Welfare Board

Brunei's Hindu Welfare Board is a 50 year old Hindu religious organisation with approximately 3,000 members and there are two small Hindu temples in the country.[6][7]

Hindu Temple

Though there are two Hindu temples, only one is officially registered under Brunei's government.[8] The temple is located on the territory of the Gurkha Regiments in Seria, Brunei. This Hindu temple is visited for prayer by the local Hindu and Buddhist communities.[9][10]

References

  1. ↑ "IRF 2006 Report".
  2. ↑ Orr, Tamra (2009-01-01). Brunei. Marshall Cavendish. ISBN 9780761431213.
  3. ↑ "India sees prospects for work in Brunei's education sector Archived 2012-01-02 at the Wayback Machine", The Brunei Times, 12 October 2011.
  4. ↑ Asia Times
  5. ↑ "His Majesty visits the First Battalion, the Royal Gurkha Rifles at Tuker Lines, Seria".
  6. ↑ "Religious Life and Institutions in Brunei", ISIM Newsletter, 27 September 2010.
  7. ↑ "BSBIA hosts cultural gathering to mark Indian Independence Day – Borneo Bulletin Online". borneobulletin.com.bn. Archived from the original on 2017-08-20.
  8. ↑ United States Department of State
  9. ↑ "Vedic Sanatana Dharma (Hinduism) - वैदिकः सनातनो धर्मः". Facebook.
  10. ↑ "Population and Housing Census Update Final Report 2016" (PDF). www.deps.gov.bn. Statistics Department. December 2018. Retrieved 27 June 2021.


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