Vivekananda on the Vedas (part 229)

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Earlier postings can be seen at http://www.vivekananda.btinternet.co.uk/veda.htm

 

SWAMI VIVEKANANDA ON THE VEDAS AND UPANISHADS

By Sister Gayatriprana

part 229

 

3. Acceptance of Vedic Ideas in the USA and England

Vedanta is the most ancient religion of the world; but it can never be said to have become popular. Therefore the question is: Is it going to be the religion of the future? is very difficult to answer.

At the start, I may tell you that I do not know whether it will ever be the religion of the vast majority of people. Will it ever be able to take hold of one whole nation such as the United States of America? Possibly it may. (77)

Nowhere in the world is to be found another nation like the Americans, so generous, broad-minded, hospitable and so sincerely eager to accept new ideas. Whatever work has been done in America, has not been done through my power. The people of America have accepted the ideas of Vedanta because they are so good-hearted. (78)

[As regards the English]: all religions having been protected during the reign of Queen Victoria, we have been able to preach fearlessly our Vedantic doctrines both in India and in England. (79)

There is no nation in the world so conservative as the English. They do not like to accept any new idea so easily; but, if through perseverance they can be once made to understand any idea, they will never give it up by any means. Such firm determination you will find in no other nation. This is why they occupy the foremost position in the world in power and civilization.

If qualified preachers could be had, there is a greater likelihood of the Vedanta work being permanently established in England than in America. I have only laid the foundation of the work. If future preachers follow my path, a good deal of work may be done in time. (80)

The thoughts of our [indian] forebears and the wonderful life-giving principles that they discovered, every nation will take. The biggest guns of the English Church told me that I was putting Vedantism into the Bible. (81)

Before many years elapse the vast majority of the English people will be Vedantins. There is a greater prospect of this in England than there is in America. You see, the Americans make a fanfaronade of everything, which is not the case with the English. (82)