Final answer:
The Bhakti movement affected societies in South and Southeast Asia through religious integration, facilitating the blend of various religious and cultural traditions and promoting the spread of Buddhism which appealed to a broader spectrum of society due to its stance on the caste system.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Bhakti movement predominantly affected the societies of South and Southeast Asia through C) Religious integration. This movement fostered an environment which allowed for the assimilation and intermingling of various religious and cultural traditions—e.g., the merging of Hindu and Islamic practices, and the modification and blending of Indian cultural symbols and languages with local variations. The Bhakti movement's emphasis on personal devotion and disregard for caste distinctions made it a driving force in bringing different communities together and integrating religious traditions.
One of the hallmarks of this movement was its influence on the spread of Buddhism, which often competed with and reshaped Hinduism. By not emphasizing the caste system, Buddhism became attractive to the lower-caste individuals in regions beyond India. This aspect indicates that the Bhakti movement facilitated a platform for multiple belief systems to exist and integrate, further drawing various societal groups into a shared religious sphere.