Swami Vivekananda, the great Hindu monk went to America to preach Vedanta in 1893. Many of his followers inspired him by seeing his divine power the West. Moreover, they helped him financially. This financial help of some Rajas of India and also by some common people made it possible to visit America where he got massive success.
He was then only 30, a young saint but extraordinarily talented. Moreover, he was highly literate and good orator. Naturally, Vivekananda mesmerised the spectators at his debut lecture at Chicago World’s Parliament of Religions. So Swami Vivekananda’s mission to the West since then started there.
Swami Vivekananda’s Mission To the West:
Swami Vivekananda was the first missionary to the West from India, and he taught Indian philosophy to the people of the West. Eventually, It was entirely new to them. Despite they had accumulated this subject.
Vivekananda has boldly undertaken to visit the Western World to expound the traditional teaching. Mainly Yogis of ancient India handed down by ascetics through many ages. And fortunately, Swamiji delivered a bunch of lectures in pursuance of this object.
Swami Vivekananda had a deep interest in religion and philosophy from his childhood. And the old scriptures of ancient India teach him renunciation as the highest ideal to which man can aspire.
His guru, Sri Ramkrishna was a great teacher. Paramhamsa Ji kindled the light within him and directed Vivekananda to follow that path he himself had trod. As a result, we can say that Swami Ji found the highest ideal realised from his Teacher.
Being asked about his attitude towards Western religions, Vivekananda replied:
” I propound a philosophy which can serve as a basis to every possible religious system in the world. My attitude towards all of them is one of extreme sympathy. – my teaching is antagonistic to none.”
Vivekananda directed his attention to the individual. So he wanted to strengthen man, and to teach men that they are divine. He called upon men to make themselves conscious of this divinity within. This is the ideal – conscious or unconscious – of every religion.
WHAT WAS HIS TEACHING?
The central teaching of Vivekananda was to convey a definite idea to call it the kernel of all forms of religion, stripping from them the non – essential, and laying stress on that which is the real basis.
Indeed, he never assumed the negative or critical attitude towards other religions but showed their positive side – how they could be carried into life and practised.
Hence, to fight, to assume the antagonistic attitude, is the exact contrary of his teachings, which dwells on the truth that the world is moved by love.
ABOUT HINDU & HINDUISM: SWAMI VIVEKANANDA’S MISSION TO THE WEST
He was critical of all religions and faiths. He told about the Hindu, the Mohammedan, the Jains and the Christian. According to Swamiji, the Hindu religion never persecutes. India is a land where all sects may live in peace and amity.
The Mohammedan brought murder and slaughter in their train, but until their arrival peace prevailed.
Read More:SWAMI VIVEKANANDA: THE WORLD TEACHER
The Jains don’t believe in a God. Moreover, They regard such belief as a delusion, we’re tolerated and still are there today.
Therefore, India sets the example of real strength, that is meekness. Dash, pluck, fight, all these things are weakness.
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