The latest developments around the world have brought to my mind the words of one of India’s foremost philosophers, Swami Vivekananda.
Picture of Swami Vivekananda taken from the cover art of one of the philosopher's biographies published in India
I present to you an excerpt from the landmark speech Vivekananda had given on September 11, 1893 at the Parliament of World Religions in Chicago.
(Notice the date? Yes! Coincidence? I don’t know…)
I feel the sentiments expressed by the philosopher over a century ago are relevant today more than ever. Without further ado, here goes…
Sisters and Brothers of America,
It fills my heart with joy unspeakable to rise in response to the warm and cordial welcome which you have given us. I thank you in the name of the most ancient order of monks in the world; I thank you in the name of the mother of religions, and I thank you in the name of millions and millions of Hindu people of all classes and sects.
… I am proud to belong to a religion which has taught the world both tolerance and universal acceptance. We believe not only in universal toleration, but we accept all religions as true.
I am proud to belong to a nation which has sheltered the persecuted and the refugees of all religions and all nations of the earth. I am proud to tell you that we have gathered in our bosom the purest remnant of the Israelites, who came to Southern India and took refuge with us in the very year in which their holy temple was shattered to pieces by Roman tyranny. I am proud to belong to the religion which has sheltered and is still fostering the remnant of the grand Zoroastrian nation.
I will quote to you, brethren, a few lines from a hymn which I remember to have repeated from my earliest boyhood, which is every day repeated by millions of human beings: “As the different streams having their sources in different paths which men take through different tendencies, various though they appear, crooked or straight, all lead to Thee.”
… I fervently hope that the bell that tolled this morning in honor of this convention may be the death-knell of all fanaticism, of all persecutions with the sword or with the pen, and of all uncharitable feelings between persons wending their way to the same goal.
P.S: See here for the full speech. Thanks Meera for helping bring Vivekananda’s words to the fore of my consciousness at this point in time.
What a beautiful post! Thanks for reminding me of Swami Vivekananda’s words at this time. I’m always inspired by him.
When I visited south India last year I was able to go to his monument of the Rock in Kanya Kumari and see the footprints he left there. The words he spoke at the Parliament of Religions still resonate today in young minds in India. Thank you for posting them here.
Jai
You’re welcome, Jai! It’s inspirational to see how the words of wise people are timeless, isn’t it?
I have never been to his monument in Tamilnadu, but hope I’ll get a chance to go some time in the future.
Wonderful post! Thanks for sharing this speech with us. Funny how I should encounter this speech while having pondered upon speeches just the other day as I was shelving books at the library — I came across a big book that contained a collection of famous speeches. I wonder if this one was included? I should read more speeches, because it’s different to the writing in novels, as speeches are written in a an oral manner
Thanks, June! It is a wonderful speech and it’s awe-inspiring to see how every word is still relevant today — more than a century after the speech has been delivered.
A very apt post. I do hope the death of Bin Laden is the huge step towards peace around the world. And thanks for including a link to my post. Would you believe that I am back in Chicago this week and will of course spend a full day at the Chicago Art Institute tomorrow? It is one of my favorite museums to visit.
Thanks, Meera! Amen to the hope you express.
Have fun at the Chicago Art Institute — I look forward to what that trip translates to in your posts! :)
What beautiful words, especially his closing paragraph. Thanks for sharing Hema, I’d never heard of him before.
You’re welcome, Lydia!
The last paragraph gave me goosebumps! Very powerful speech. Thanks for sharing.
RK
You’re welcome, RK! I agree — they’re powerful words. Now, if only more people listened to such wise words!
Powerful words – thanks for sharing, Hema.
You’re welcome, Susan!
Thank you for sharing this wonderful speech, Hema. It made my soul feel less restless.
That’s a beautiful way of putting it, Sharon. Thanks!
I am so fortunate to read once again Swami Vivekananda’s epoch-making speech. I believe when he spoke the first three words – Sisters and Brothers of America in his majestic voice .. the entire audience rose in awe.
His wisdom continues to give us strength and inspire us to be fearless.
Many thanks for this lovely post.