The western culture is predominantly of the Christian faith praying to one God. Growing up in the Hindu faith, I always wondered why my mother used to pray to many Gods. As I became older, I built up the courage to ask a Pandit (Indian Priest) why we believed in many Gods whereas all the others believed only in one. He had informed me that we only believe in one God, Lord Shiva. It may appear that we are praying to many Gods, but in fact we are praying to the many forms that he appeared to us on earth.

In associational societies, it is the role of the government or disciplinary bodies to punish individuals who commit crimes and engage in deviant behavior. Occasionally, traditional families in the western society feel that they could do the disciplining but these families are far and few between.

As time goes on more similarities will be seen between the Indian and western cultures. All will reflect the changes that are occurring through assimilation. Indians, who were once thought to be backwards, more like traditionalists, are slowly adapting to the western societies and customs. Some changes can be seen today in the United States where Indians are choosing their own mates, altering their lifestyle from communal to associational, and shifting their classification from Vaishya to upper working class. All areas of life and social interaction are showing a change from traditional to non-traditional while maintaining all the values, beliefs and customs of their old respected ways.

Hindus believe in reincarnation, which is life after death. We believe that after you die, your soul is transferred into another body or form. Depending on your dharma (behavior) in your previous life will determine your karma (actions that will affect your next life). If you were a good and giving person, your soul will be transferred into a human, the highest life form. If you were bad, your soul will be transferred into an insect, animal, or a lower life form. In any case, both the Christian and Hindu religion teach good values, beliefs and morals which constitute an ideal individual.

Finally, there exists a difference in the social system of both cultures. Indians have a caste system (varnas). There are three main classes in the Indian culture although some would argue four or five. The three classes are Shudras, Vaishyas, and Brahmins. The Shudras are the lowest class, otherwise known as the untouchables. These people comprise of the peasants that work in the farms, beggars, and the homeless on the street. The Vaishyas are the middle class. These are the merchants, farm owners or businessmen. This is the category I supposedly fall into. The last class is the Brahmins. The Brahmins are the upper class and they are comprised of religious groups and leaders. The class system is a system that one is born into. For example if your parents are born Vaishya, then you are automatically a Vaishya for life.

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Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1640
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)