Great Philosopher Swami Vivekananda's speech at Chicago, 11 September,1893,a review by Jitu Das

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Swami Vivekananda, great philosopher, reformist gave some great speeches in the the parliament of religions, an adjunct of the World's Colombian Exposition, held in Chicago in 1893. It was held to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the discovery of American by Christopher Columbus. The first session was held on 11th September, 1893 in the hall of Art Institute. There were more than 4000 people, Representatives of all religions( Buddhism, Christianity, Confucianism, Hinduism, Jainism, Judaism, Mohammedanism, Shintoism, Theism and Zoroastrianism.
In the Chicago conference, Swami Vivekananda addressed the people by saying - Sisters and Brothers of America. Hearing such address, the people were amazed and they clapped with joy, because they had never hear someone addressing like him, they had only heard people saying- ladies and gentleman. Well this is what makes India unique. The believes of Indian people are strong and pure. India I see as the heart of the world and home of spirituality.



Swami Vivekananda was 30 years old when discovered himself as someone to reform India. Swami Vivekananda travelled around India and his heart cried seeing such poverty in India. ( caused by British !)

On the first day, he thanked the people, he said the he was proud to belong to a religion which has taught the world both tolerance and universal acceptance. On the second session,Swami Vivekananda said about why we disagree with other religions. He said a little story of a frog living in a small well all his life with the belief that his well is greater than everything. But one day another frog who has seen the seas came by and told the frog living in the well about how great the sea is. But well's frog did not believe him. Then the frog started argue and turn him out. By that story Vivekananda explained the situation between the religions. He said that 1893 and now it is 2013 and yet the religions behave the same way. It is very strange and upsetting that people of different religions still have not learned to unite and make a better world, where people love and care for each other truly.


He said on the day 20 September, 1893 about Christians sending out missionaries to save the soul of the heathen and asked them why they did not tried to save their bodies from starvation in India, when thousands died from hunger.
On the 5th session, Swami Vivekananda said about Buddhism as the fulfilment of Hinduism. He said that he is not a Buddhist and he is because Hinduism can not live without Buddhism, not Buddhism with Hinduism.


On the 6th day, the final session, 27th September 1893, he asks the people to assimilate the spirit of each other for the peace and harmony in the world and yet he asks to preserve their individuality and grow according to his own law of growth.
When I read the Chicago addresses, I learned about the Hinduism with Buddhism. I see now that only way religions that can make the world better is union not separation. The religions must unite for the cause of peace and prosperity of mankind. I hope you could see now too what I see. I believe that the day people would love each other regardless of his colour, language, caste and religion, that day a man can feel free. I am sure one day people would love people unconditionally and live a beautiful life.