Buddhism in Southeast Asia taught and supported Theravada ideologies. The success of Theravada Buddhism in Burma under the rule of Anawrahta allowed for the later growth of Buddhism in neighboring Southeast Asian countries, such as Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia. The influences of the Mon people as well as the Pagan Empire are still felt today throughout the region. Currently, the Southeast Asian countries with the highest amounts of practicing Theravada Buddhists are Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia. Buddhism has long been characterized by some scholars as an other-worldly religion, that is not rooted in economic and political activity. That is in part due to
Cambodia at the 2009 Southeast Asian Games Cambodia at the 2009 Southeast Asian Games Cambodia competed in the 2009 Southeast Asian Games athletics tournament, winning three gold medals and 40 medals in total. Cambodia only announced the formation of its National Team Organizing Committee for the SEA Games in mid-October 2009, less than two months ahead of the start of the Games in Vientiane, Laos. The National Olympic Committee of Cambodia (NOCC) assigned its Vice President Bun Sok to chair this committee. This committee was made up of representatives of various Olympic sports federations and was responsible for final screening and selection of athletes to represent Cambodia