Undoubtedly, the aim of each religion is to ensure the peace and prosperity of the people. Hinduism is the world's third largest religion with over five hundred million followers. According to the Hindu doctrine, the ideal life consists of four stages: the period of discipline and education, the life of the householder and active worker, the retreat for the loosening of the bonds, and the life of the hermit (preparing for death and the union with GOD). The Hindu community in North America is fairly large. North American Hindus range from insecure refugees to well-established second and third generation of Indians. In homes where Hinduism is practiced there is generally a room or corner of a room for worship called puja where there are pictures of a statue of a particular god. Hinduism recognizes thousands of lesser gods that all come under the umbrella of the one God Brahman. Most immigrants practice Hinduism daily with activities including reciting prayers, reading scriptures, and thinking about god. All of the parents responded that they want their children to learn about their religion and practice it in America. 75% of the children asked characterized their parents as having brought them up, in their opinion, in a traditionally Hindu way, specifying values, food, temple, and language as the main indicators of being reared traditionally Hindu. Of the 25% that did not claim that they were bought up traditionally Hindu, the majority blamed the fact that they reside in America as the main cause. Hindu's feel strongly about their children learning about their religion and the need to continue traditional ways. They also strongly believe in understanding your background, ancestors, balance and values, non-violence, and understanding of yourself to be whole as other essential elements in order not to loose your roots in another country.

Buddhism was founded in Northern India by the Buddha (Siddhartha Guatamacirce 563-483-BCE). It plays an important role in the lives of the people who practice this religion in America. South Asians living in America believe that it is important to learn and practice their religion and culture. Buddhism is a religion that shares few concepts with Christianity. For example, they do not believe in a transcendent or immanent or any other type of God or Gods, the need for a personal savior, the power of prayer, eternal life in a heaven or hell after death, etc. They do believe in reincarnation: the concept that one must go through many cycles of birth, living, and death. After many such cycles a person releases their attachment to desire, and the self, they can attain Nirvana. Buddhism practiced in America has been called a religion, philosophy, and ideology. The foundation of Buddhist practice is mediation.

There are close to twenty million Sikhs in the world, the majority of them living in Punjab. The word Sikh means a learner or disciple. The percentage of literacy of Sikhs living in America is higher than the Hindus or Muslims. They have produced a large number of writers, scholars, scientists, engineers, lawyers, and doctors. All Sikhs flourish beard and the dashing turban, which attracts attention. More than two million of the Sikhs live away from their homeland Punjab. They are in the USA and Canada since 1900 AD, and have made their mark in the industrial and professional life. Most of them have settled initially in the western coasts of the two countries i.e., British Columbia and California, and their contributions are very significant. Sikhs have their own communities and practice their religion daily.

In the early part of the century, waves of immigrants from various parts of the Muslim world, most notably Palestine, Lebanon, and what is now Pakistan, appeared in North America. These people were mostly illiterate, unskilled workers who found work in the auto factories of Detroit, or peasants from Punjab who set up house in such places as Sacramento. Then, beginning in the '50's the picture changed dramatically. An influx of Muslim professionals, many of them physicians, finding conditions in their homelands inhospitable, settled in this country after completing their studies. The black movements, the back to Africa groups, had also come into flower by this time. Great numbers of Muslim students from all parts of the world also began to arrive in this country. This was a period where there was a formation of the early Muslim communities and mosques all over the country. It was this period that also witnessed the formation of national Islamic groups, such as the Muslim Students Association of the United States and Canada. Many Muslims who had never practiced their religion now found their way back to their roots and began, for the very first time, to appreciate the values of their faith. Today, mosques, Islamic Centers and schools are found in every community of any size. At present, the number of Muslims in the United States is estimated to be approximately between 5 to 8 million strong and is the fastest growing faith in this country.

E. Allen Richardson, the author, mainly discusses how these Asian religions have survived and have grown in this country. The author's portrayals of these religious groups are accurately shown by each group's individual struggles and attributes to American society. The author covers all issues that are faced by all religious groups including raising their children to the way that woman are portrayed in their individual cultures.

The book "East Comes West" has tremendously helped me to understand the phenomenon of "religion in contemporary America". Coming to the United States from India when I was five years old makes me have more of an interest in this topic. When reading about the way Indian parents raise their children in America to learn and understand Hinduism made me realize that it was not only happening in my own home. Growing up I faced the same struggles and obstacles as many other Indian children did. However, as Richardson states, all of the religions discussed in his book tended to not loose their heritage or culture when coming to this country. It is very important to have a sense of where you are from and to know and understand your own heritage.

I agree with the author in stating that the aim of each religion should be to ensure the peace and prosperity of its followers. Since each religion is based upon three principles that include the devotion of god, religious ceremonies and rituals, and religious morality, it is important that everyone not only knows about, but also understands all the diverse religions practiced in America. It is true that there are many distinct and different religions practiced in America. In order to have love for one another, we must not only tolerate other beliefs, but we must also make a conscience effort to learn about one another.