Cambodia - Cambodia - Religion: Most ethnic Khmer are Theravada (Hinayana) Buddhists (i.e., belonging to the older and more traditional of the two great schools of Buddhism, the other school being Mahayana). The National Museum of Cambodia is also home to a series of Hindu statues. Another 1.9% of the population is Muslim , made up almost exclusively of Cham and Malay ethnic minorities. Since the collapse of the Khmer Empire in the 14 th Century, the main religion of Cambodia has been Theravada Buddhism, practiced by over 96% of the population. While Hinduism is no longer the ruling religion in Cambodia, its influences remain. The Royal Palace in Phnom Penh houses a sword said to have been presented to the royal family by Hindu deity, Indra. Until 1975 Buddhism was officially recognized as the state religion of Cambodia. Under the Khmer Rouge, all religious practices were forbidden.