MANDALA
The concept of Mandala originated from the culture of the Indians. It is a religious symbol, that represents the universe, which has spiritual and ritual significance, in Buddhism as well. Most forms of the Mandala consist of a square with four gates, that contains a circle with a centre point. Power is believed to radiate outwards from this centre point. This symbol is also typically sighted in various temples such as in the architecture of the Candi Borobudur and many works of art in SEA.
Based on this concept, the Mandala has been applied as a system of politics in Southeast Asia, where the centre (or the king) is the most powerful. In a mandala, geographical boundaries do not matter. As long as loyalty to the king has been pledged, one can be his follower no matter where you live. It is thus important for the king to look out for his people who are living on the fringes of the mandala.
In a mandala political system, relationships between the kings and their subjects are emphasised. This is known the patron-client relationship, a very important concept in Southeast Asian culture. This occurs as the patron being the ruler, and the client being the subject. In the relationship, the patron, the ruler, provides the client with money, resources, job, housing, military security, and will send gifts of higher value and protect the clients in the case of an invasion. In return, the client gives the patron honour, prestige, status, influence, control & political loyalty, as the patron needs followers. Bunga emas, a gold miniature tree, is also paid by the client to gift the patron. The client too needs to send the patron men and supplies in times of war
The mandala system shows major Indian influence in SEA as the political system was a far-reaching and impactful one, with many countries in the region practicing it.
Based on this concept, the Mandala has been applied as a system of politics in Southeast Asia, where the centre (or the king) is the most powerful. In a mandala, geographical boundaries do not matter. As long as loyalty to the king has been pledged, one can be his follower no matter where you live. It is thus important for the king to look out for his people who are living on the fringes of the mandala.
In a mandala political system, relationships between the kings and their subjects are emphasised. This is known the patron-client relationship, a very important concept in Southeast Asian culture. This occurs as the patron being the ruler, and the client being the subject. In the relationship, the patron, the ruler, provides the client with money, resources, job, housing, military security, and will send gifts of higher value and protect the clients in the case of an invasion. In return, the client gives the patron honour, prestige, status, influence, control & political loyalty, as the patron needs followers. Bunga emas, a gold miniature tree, is also paid by the client to gift the patron. The client too needs to send the patron men and supplies in times of war
The mandala system shows major Indian influence in SEA as the political system was a far-reaching and impactful one, with many countries in the region practicing it.