Vivekananda and Parliament of Religions I

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Dear friends,

Find below oft repeated legend! But I feel it still inspires!

dr c s shah

 

Swami Vivekananda at the Parliament of Religions: Chicago 1893

Part I

 

Background

 

During the period 1882 to 1886, Swami Vivekananda acquired knowledge of

'Divinity of Soul' at the holy feet of his Guru-Teacher-Sri Ramakrishna.

The direct realization of divine nature of all beings illumined his mind

forever. This rare experience made him renounce worldly pleasures and

duties in favour of monastic life.

 

In the year 1886, when Sri Ramakrishna left this world, Swami

Vivekananda thought over his future plan of action. With his fellow

brothers, he started living in a dilapidated house near Calcutta as a

monk. There he was engaged in deep contemplation on the teachings and

sayings of his Guru, as well as study of ancient Indian Scriptures. In

addition, the influence of British education helped him acquire more

information and knowledge about Western philosophies and philosophers.

He got himself well acquainted with the concepts of Kant, Hegel,

Schopenhauer, and many others.

 

By 1891 Swami Vivekananda became a sage of high intellect, action, and

devotion. In his life, he had experienced the Truth of all four Yogas,

viz. Yoga of meditation, discrimination, action, and devotion. He was

well versed in the study of Vedas, Upanishads and Bhagavad Gita. He also

studied life and teachings of Jesus Christ, Prophet Mohammed, and Lord

Buddha. In fact it is believed that once he had the vision of Buddha in

his deep meditation. Thus having acquired direct knowledge of all the

religions, having come to the conclusion that all religions speak of the

same truth, Swami Vivekananda had intense desire to spread this

wonderful message of Unity of Existence and Unity in Diversity.

 

Accordingly, he decided to travel all over the Holy Land of India to get

the first hand information about the state of religion in the Indian

masses. The vast land opened up a new challenge before the Swami to

explore its religious-spiritual truths. All alone, in January 1891, he

embarked upon the journey.

 

continued Part II...

dr c s shah

 

 

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