Culture is Fascinating! Did you know that Buddhism and Hinduism two of the world’s great religions were born in India? More than 80% of the Indian population is Hindu. Many sects and off-shoots of Hinduism are practiced in the country; it is a common thread that unites Indian diversity. Hinduism has no single founder, no theological system or central religious organization but is rather a way of life which sees the divine spirit in all forms of life. Those of us in the West don’t understand the Hindu reverence for the cow, (“He’s a sacred cow”, or “Holy Cow!”), and equate it with reincarnation, when in truth the reasons for this high regard have a much more practical origin than this. The cow helps humankind survive through all times including drought and famine, not by the eating of its flesh, but through utilization of its many properties. The cows as beasts of burden, clear the land, pull the plough, turn the wheel which draws water, provide dairy products and ultimately dung for fuel, shelter and fertilizer for the fields. It takes little from the land and cleans the refuse in the city streets. All but two Indian states have laws against killing and mistreating cows. This is a law is a strange one to foreigners, and like cultural values and behaviors in many countries, often misinterpreted. Achieving cultural competence begins with knowledge and awareness of oneself and a desire to learn about the other. Global LT's Cultural Training Programs - Religion and Philosophy: India