Swamiji's Message

[Guest guest]

Tomorrow is September 11, the second anniversary of the terrorist

attack on USA. It is also the 110th anniversary of Swamiji's famous

speech at the Parliament of Religions in Chicago.

It is important at this time to reflect on Swamiji's message. The

following quote is from his lecture.

" 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 civilisation 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

honour 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. "