Swami Vivekananda's Speech at the World's Parliament of Religions in 1893

Swami Vivekananda expresses gratitude to the audience in America, representing the Ancient Order of monks and the Hindu people. He acknowledges the history of tolerance and acceptance in his religion and nation, highlighting the sheltering of persecuted groups like the Israelites and Zoroastrians in India.

Swami Vivekananda condemns sectarianism, bigotry, and fanaticism, stating that they have hindered societal progress. He hopes for the end of all forms of persecution and uncharitable feelings, advocating for unity and tolerance among all individuals striving towards a common goal.

On September 15, 1893, a distinguished lineup of speakers is set to address the audience. Swami Vivekananda is invited to speak on the topic 'Why We Disagree,' where he proceeds to share a story to illustrate the root of disagreements.

Swami Vivekananda narrates a story about a frog living in a well who believed his well was the biggest until a frog from the sea challenged his perspective. The story symbolizes narrow-mindedness and the importance of broadening one's horizons to understand different viewpoints.

The speaker expresses gratitude to America for breaking down barriers between different religions. He acknowledges the diversity of beliefs and the need for unity. The date is mentioned as the 19th of September, 1893, the ninth day of the World's Parliament of Religions.

Swami Vivekananda, a great monk from India, is introduced to present a paper on Hinduism. His speech is anticipated with respect and interest by the audience.

Swami Vivekananda discusses the core beliefs of Hinduism, emphasizing the concept of revelation through the Vedas. He explains that the Vedas are considered timeless spiritual laws discovered by Rishis, revered as perfected beings. The idea of creation without beginning or end is highlighted, challenging conventional notions of time and existence.

Swami Vivekananda delves into the concept of creation and the Creator in Hinduism. He presents a parallel between creation and the Creator as eternal, emphasizing the continuous evolution and destruction of systems by the ever-active Providence. The distinction between the body and the soul is discussed, asserting the immortality of the soul beyond the transient nature of the body.

Swami Vivekananda engages in a philosophical inquiry into existence and the nature of the soul. He questions the idea of creation leading to inevitable dissolution, pondering the disparities in human conditions at birth. The speaker challenges the notion of a just and merciful God based on the varying circumstances of individuals, advocating for a deeper understanding of the soul's eternal essence.

The speaker questions the idea of a Creator God, suggesting that it does not explain the suffering in the world but rather portrays a cruel feat of an all-powerful being. They ponder on the causes of happiness or misery before birth, attributing them to past actions and inherited tendencies of the mind and body.

The discussion delves into the concept of reincarnation, explaining that bodies acquire tendencies from heredity, while souls have unique tendencies from past actions. The speaker argues that souls are born into bodies that best suit their tendencies, in line with scientific explanations of habit formation through repetitions.

The speaker illustrates the depth of consciousness by using language as an example, showing that past experiences can be recalled with effort. They challenge the world to tap into the 'ocean of memory' within consciousness to access complete reminiscence of past lives, providing direct evidence for the Hindu belief in the continuity of the soul.

The Hindu belief in the soul is discussed, emphasizing its eternal, free, and unbounded nature. The soul is described as perfect and pure, yet it becomes deluded by identifying with matter. The speaker questions how the perfect soul can perceive itself as imperfect and bound by matter, acknowledging the mystery of this transformation.

The speaker highlights the philosophical humility of the Hindu perspective, which admits to not knowing the exact mechanism by which the perfect soul identifies with imperfection and matter. They reject simplistic explanations and embrace the mystery of the soul's connection to the body, acknowledging the eternal and immortal nature of the human soul.

The speaker describes the Lord of nature as a powerful force that governs all actions, likening individuals to powerless moths under the wheel of causation. Despite the despair and lack of hope, a sage proclaims a message of hope and consolation, emphasizing the idea of immortal bliss and salvation from death.

The speaker addresses the Hindu believers as children of immortal bliss, emphasizing their divine nature and perfect beings. Refusing to call them sinners, the speaker highlights the importance of recognizing oneself as a soul, immortal and free, rather than mere matter or bodies.

The speaker proclaims the nature of the Almighty as pure, formless, and merciful, addressing Him as the Father, Mother, and beloved friend. Emphasizing the omnipresence and omnipotence of the Almighty, the speaker urges individuals to seek strength and guidance from Him.

The doctrine of love is discussed, emphasizing the importance of loving God unselfishly for Love's sake. The speaker narrates a story of a disciple of Krishna who exemplified pure love for the Lord, seeking nothing in return but expressing devotion solely for the sake of love.

The concept of attaining freedom from the bondage of imperfection is explored, highlighting the role of purity as a condition for receiving God's mercy. The speaker explains that the soul is divine and can achieve perfection through the mercy of God, ultimately leading to freedom from death and misery.

The central concept of Hinduism revolves around the idea that the Hindu seeks direct experience with existence beyond the ordinary senses. They aim to come face to face with the soul and the all-merciful Universal Soul, seeking to destroy all doubts by directly experiencing them. Hindu sages emphasize the importance of personal experience, stating that the best proof of the soul and God is the direct perception of them.

The ultimate goal of the Hindu religion is not merely to believe in doctrines or dogmas but to realize and embody divinity. Through constant struggle and striving for perfection, Hindus aim to reach God, see God, and become perfect like the father in Heaven. Attaining perfection leads to a life of infinite bliss and enjoyment of perfect bliss in union with God.

Perfection in Hinduism is absolute and indivisible. When a soul becomes perfect and absolute, it merges with the universal consciousness, becoming one with the divine. This unity signifies the realization of the Lord as the essence of one's own existence, leading to absolute existence, knowledge, and bliss. The ultimate aim is to transcend individuality and merge into a universal consciousness.

According to Hindu philosophy, science aims to find unity in all aspects of existence. The ultimate goal of science is to discover the underlying unity that connects all elements and energies in the universe. Just as chemistry seeks to find one element from which all others are made, and physics aims to identify one energy manifesting in various forms, the science of religion seeks to uncover the one life that underlies all existence.

Both science and religion converge on the concept of manifestation rather than creation. Science acknowledges that physical individuality is an illusion, with the body being a continuously changing entity in a unified ocean of matter. Similarly, religion emphasizes that the ultimate reality is the manifestation of the one life in a universe of apparent diversity. The Hindu perspective aligns with the scientific understanding of unity through multiplicity and duality.

Contrary to misconceptions, there is no polytheism in India. In temples, worshippers attribute all the qualities of God, including omnipresence, to the images they worship. This practice does not signify polytheism but rather a recognition of the divine essence present in all forms. The Hindu perspective aligns with the idea that names are not explanations, emphasizing the essence of unity and divinity in all manifestations.

The speaker reflects on the differences in religious practices, mentioning the idolaters he has encountered who excel in morality, spirituality, and love. He questions the concept of sin leading to holiness and discusses the significance of symbols in various religions.

The speaker explains how the human mind associates mental images with abstract concepts like infinity and holiness. He highlights the role of external symbols in focusing the mind during worship, emphasizing that the image itself is not considered divine in Hinduism.

The speaker delves into the evolution of spiritual worship in Hinduism, stating that external worship is the initial stage, followed by mental prayer. The highest stage is the realization of the divine, where the worshipper transcends the need for physical symbols.

The speaker discusses the Hindu perspective on religious diversity, viewing all religions as attempts by the human soul to understand the infinite. He emphasizes the idea of progressing from lower to higher truths and compares the journey to a young eagle soaring towards unity in variety.

The speaker contrasts Hinduism with other religions by highlighting its flexibility in spiritual expression. He mentions that Hinduism allows for a variety of symbols and practices to convey spiritual ideas, recognizing that not everyone may require these aids.

The speaker clarifies the perception of idolatry in India, stating that it is not viewed negatively but rather as an attempt by undeveloped minds to grasp high spiritual truths. He defends idolatry as a means of spiritual expression and emphasizes the non-violent nature of Hindu practices.

The Hindu perspective on religions emphasizes that all religions are a path for individuals to evolve spiritually. They believe that every religion is a manifestation of the same divine truth, adapting to different circumstances. The Hindu concept is that all religions lead to the same goal of realizing a higher power within oneself.

The vision of a universal religion, according to the Hindu speaker, transcends boundaries of time, place, and specific beliefs. It is described as infinite like God, inclusive of all faiths, and devoid of persecution or intolerance. This universal religion aims to help humanity recognize its inherent divine nature and embrace all individuals regardless of their background or social status.

On September 26th, 1893, during the Parliament of Religions in Chicago, Swami Vivekananda delivered a speech on Buddhism as the fulfillment of Hinduism. He highlighted the spiritual aspect of Hinduism, where caste distinctions are irrelevant, and anyone, regardless of social status, can pursue spiritual enlightenment.

Swami Vivekananda, a prominent figure from India, is called upon to address the final session of the World's Parliament of Religions in Chicago on September 27, 1893. The parliament has been a significant achievement, thanks to the efforts of those who envisioned and realized it.

Swami Vivekananda expresses gratitude towards the organizers and attendees of the World's Parliament of Religions for their efforts in promoting religious harmony and understanding. He acknowledges the diverse perspectives present and appreciates the unity amidst differing beliefs.

Swami Vivekananda emphasizes the idea of religious unity without the need for one religion to dominate over others. He uses the analogy of a seed growing into a plant to illustrate how each religion should assimilate the positive aspects of others while maintaining its unique identity and growth.

Swami Vivekananda highlights the universal presence of holiness, purity, and charity in various religious traditions. He asserts that these virtues are not exclusive to any single faith and that individuals from all religions have exhibited exemplary character, emphasizing the importance of mutual respect and understanding.

In his concluding remarks, Swami Vivekananda advocates for harmony, peace, and assimilation among different religions, rejecting the notion of religious superiority or exclusivity. He envisions a future where cooperation and understanding prevail over discord and conflict.