The Khmer Empire was a secular empire.
Buddhism ( [ pronˈbʊdɪzəm ] or [ ˈbuːdɪzəm ] ) is an Indian religion and dharma that encompasses a variety of traditions , beliefs and spiritual practices largely based on teachings attributed to the Buddha . Hindu refers to any person who regards themselves as culturally , ethnically , or religiously adhering to aspects of Hinduism . The Khmer Empire , officially the Angkor Empire , the predecessor state to modern Cambodia ( `` Kampuchea '' or `` Srok Khmer '' to the Khmer people ) , was a powerful Hindu-Buddhist empire in Southeast Asia .