Swami Vivekananda’s introduction of Hinduism in the World’s Parliament of Religions in Chicago has been recognized as the inauguration of global interest in Hinduism not as a bizarre system, but as a religious and philosophical tradition that has some sublime ideas to give to the World.
The illustrious Swami not only incarnated what is best in Hinduism, but he rose from being just the representative of Hinduism to the status of the prophet of universalism even on the opening day of the Parliament, namely, September 11, 1893. He said: “Sectarianism, bigotry, and its horrible descendant, fanaticism, have long possessed this beautiful Earth. They have filled the earth with violence, drenched it 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.”
In one of the sessions of that Parliament, he alluded to the suffering inflicted on indigenous people in Mexico which history records as the first bloodshed in favour of the expansion of Christianity in the colonial era. In the Science section of the Parliament, he showed the rapprochement between Science and Eastern Wisdom. In a pre-Parliament gathering at Annisquam, he reminded the world of consequences of ignoring the precept of peace: “ You may not believe in the vengeance of God, but do believe in the vengeance of history.”
The Swami was not just a handsome person with skill of oratory who was spreading the cult of his personality before and after the Parliament. Funds had been raised by his admirers in Madras for his trip to the USA before the divine command came; he refused to accept them, saying: “ If it be Her (the Divine Mother’s) will, then money will come again of itself. Therefore take this money and distribute it among the poor.” To the Nawab of Hyderabad, who had offered him the passage money, he said: “ Your Highness, the time has not yet come. When the command comes from on high, I shall make you aware of it.” Then the command came; commissioned by God, he went to the West. This illustrates what it is to be suffused with divine grace and wisdom, which should precede the work in the domain of interfaith dialogue.
In 1993, this Parliament’s centenary was celebrated locally by Centre Vedantique in Geneva with the support of our members and friends. But the most important centenary celebration was held in Chicago; it was christened as Parliament of World’s Religions (PWR). Since then, the Council of PWR organised two more parliaments– in Cape Town in 1999 and in Barcelona in 2004; it is now poised to hold a more elaborate parliament this year in Melbourne with the following topics: healing the earth, reconciling with the indigenous peoples, overcoming poverty, securing food and water for all, building peace in the pursuit of justice, creating social cohesion, sharing wisdom for inner peace.
The event will be a total of 500 events with 8,000 people participating from over 80 countries to improve our planet in respect of the above-mentioned themes.
Does one or several of these topics resonate with your idealism or vision of change that you wish for? Then be a part of the PWR at Melbourne, Australia from Dec. 3 to Dec. 9 in 2009.
I was in Poland in September to join the Community of Sant’Egidio in paying homage to victims of the holocaust and to remember the urgency of peace on the occasion of 70th anniversary of World War II. Last week, invited by Elijah Interfaith institute, I was in Israel to join prominent leaders and scholars of all major religions to discuss the future of religious leadership. Within a few weeks, I shall be in Australia for participating in PWR. If you have concern for a change in the world, then come to Melbourne to listen to leaders of religions and activists.
Swami Amarananda
