Indian Hindu monk Swami Vivekananda was an inspiration for the revival of Hinduism in India as well as the Westernization of Indian concepts like yoga and vedanta.
His renowned tackle at the 1893 Conference of the World's Religions in Chicago, where he started with the phrase "Sisters and brothers of America...," attracted the attention of the crowd and contributed to promoting Hinduism in the West, is the reason for his fame.
Introduction
Indian philosopher and monk Swami Vivekananda (12 January 1863 – 4 July 1902) was a leading disciple of the 19th-century Indian saint Ramakrishna.
He is recognized for enhancing religious understanding and bringing Hinduism onto a worldwide scale.
He played an essential part in bringing Indian spiritual ideas to the Western world.
Childhood
Born into an affluent Bengali family in Kolkata (formerly Calcutta), Vivekananda was named Narendranath Datta. His mother, Bhuvaneshwari Devi, was a devoted housewife, while his father, Vishwanath Datta, worked as a lawyer.
Narendranath showed signs of a keen intellect at an early age and an intense fascination with religious activities.
Spiritual Life
Vivekananda's study of Indian texts and his research into Western philosophy had a significant impact on his spiritual path.
He had a deep spiritual awakening in spite of his early doubts, which motivated him to look for a guru who might guide him.
Meeting with Lord Ramakrishna
At the Dakshineswar Kali Temple, Narendranath first contacted/encountered Shri Ramakrishna, a priest, in 1881.
His life took a significant turn after this meeting. Narendranath, guided by Ramakrishna, became aware of his spirituality and decided to become a monk. He took on the name Vivekananda.
Contribution to the Society
In 1897, Swami Vivekananda established the Ramakrishna Mission, a charitable and spiritual institution dedicated to social change and the advancement of the downtrodden.
He highlighted the value of education, independence, and human service. His lessons have encouraged millions of people all around the world.
He was an youth icon and idol for Indian youths.
In summary
The life and contributions of Swami Vivekananda had a profound impact on both Eastern and Western philosophy.
He is regarded as one of the most important spiritual leaders in contemporary history because of his long-lasting contributions to social change, religious understanding, and spiritual development.
Swami Vivekananda's speech at the Parliament of the World's Religions in Chicago on September 11, 1893, is one of his most famous and impactful addresses. His eloquence and profound message captivated the audience and introduced Hinduism to the Western world. Here is an excerpt from that historic speech:
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.
My thanks also to some of the speakers on this platform who, referring to the delegates from the Orient, have told you that these men from far-off nations may well claim the honor of bearing to different lands the idea of toleration.
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 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 places all mingle their water in the sea, so, O Lord, the different paths which men take through different tendencies, various though they appear, crooked or straight, all lead to Thee.
The present convention, which is one of the most august assemblies ever held, is in itself a vindication, a declaration to the world of the wonderful doctrine preached in the Gita:
Whosoever comes to Me, through whatsoever form, I reach him; all men are struggling through paths which in the end lead to Me.
Sectarianism, bigotry, and its horrible descendant, fanaticism, have long possessed this beautiful earth.
They have filled the earth with violence, drenched it often and often with human blood, destroyed civilization and sent whole nations to despair.
Had it not been for these horrible demons, human society would be far more advanced than it is now.
But their time is come, and 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.
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