EXCERPTS FROM SWAMIJI’S FAMOUS ADDRESS AT WORLD PARLIAMENT OF RELIGIONS AT CHICAGO ON SEPTEMBER 11 1893
“Sisters and Brothers of America (At this moment came the 3 minutes standing ovation from the audience of 7,000) It fills my heart with joy unspeakable to rise in response to the warm and cordial welcome which you have given us. l thank you in the name of the most ancient order of monks in the world;… I thank you in the name of the millions and millions of Hindu people of all classes and sect…
I am proud to belong to a religion which has taught the world both tolerance and universal acceptance. We believe not only in universal toleration, but we accept all religions as true. I am proud to belong to a nation which has sheltered the persecuted and the refugees of all religions and all nations of the earth…
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 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. But their time is come; and I fervently hope that the bell that tolled this morning in honor 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.
Vivekananda Rock Memorial
It is a sacred monument and popular tourist attraction in Kanyakumari, India. It was built in 1970 by the Vivekananda Rock Memorial Committee in honour of the visit of the great spiritual teacher in December 1892 for deep meditation and enlightenment. It is said that he attained enlightenment on the rock, and henceforth became a reformer and philosopher. The merger of three seas- Bay of Bengal, Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean can be seen from the rock.
SWAMIJI’S VIEWS ON JESUS CHRIST
Vivekananda said that we find Jesus of Nazareth, in the first place, the true son of the Orient, intensely practical.
The 3 years of Jesus’ ministry were like one compressed, concentrated age, which has taken 1900 years to unfold, and who knows how much longer it will take! Little men like us are simply the recipients of just a little energy. A few minutes, a few hours, a few years at best, are enough to spend it all, to stretch it out, as it were, to its fullest strength, and then we are gone forever. But mark this giant, Jesus Christ that came: centuries and ages pass, yet the energy that he left upon the world is not yet stretched, nor yet expended to its full. It goes on adding new vigour as the ages roll on.
The Christ, who is the Incarnation of God, who is divine, can help us; in Him there is no imperfection.
The great lesson of Jesus Christ, which is the basis of all religions, is renunciation. How can one make our ‘spirit’ pure? By renunciation. A rich young man asked Jesus, “Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” And Jesus said unto him, “one thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasures in heaven: and come take up thy cross and follow Me.”
Swami’s visit accords Rachol seminary Archaeological Survey of India care
RACHOL: The over-four-centuries’ old Rachol Seminary is undergoing conservation and repair works.
Although it is neither a protected monument nor under the control of the Archaeological Survey of India, the ASI is executing the work sanctioned by the Union ministry of culture.
It’s a special case to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, said V Shivananda Rao, superintending archaeologist (Goa circle), ASI.
“One of the main reasons why the seminary has been selected is because Swami Vivekananda is said to have visited it and referred to some of the oldest books in its library,” Rao said of the 2.2 crore project.
“Besides Goa, two other states in the country have also been selected by the ministry for this,” he added.
The work at the seminary owned by the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman includes an anti-termite treatment, de-plastering and plastering, GI sheets to be covered with tiles for the roof, replacement of the existing electrical wiring that is old and frayed, and an apron for the building.
Interior and exterior painting and window repairs are also on the anvil.
“The work is being executed in consultation with and with the approval of church authorities,” said Rao.
Rector of the seminary, Fr Dennis Fernandes, confirmed the ASI work.
“The work outside (the building) has started. The work on the interiors will start after the monsoon,” Fernandes told TOI.
Speaking about ASI’s project at the Tambdi Surla temple at Sanguem, Rao said 75% of the work is through. The pathways and laying of a garden around the temple are being done at an estimated cost of 7 lakh, he added.