“Sisters and Brothers of America” --- these were the opening words of
Swami Vivekananda’s iconic address at the ‘Parliament of Religions’
held at Chicago on September 11, 1893, or 9/11. The words immediately
found resonance in every delegate’s heart, connecting each and every
member present there into a network of ‘Universal Brotherhood’.
This was the message of Swami Vivekananda, and he called for ‘true human solidarity’.
Nowadays we talk about globalisation, but the term is simply
relegated to an economic level. Does it address our social inequality?
Is it bringing harmony into our lives? A harmony based on true love and
empathy, mutual trust and concern? Sadly, we are far removed from the
ideal of social equality followed and preached by Swami Vivekananda.
After Swami Vivekananda became famous in America, he was honoured
everywhere he went. At a railway station, where he was being given a
reception, a Negro porter went forward to shake hands with him saying
“Congratulations! I am extremely delighted that a man of my race has
attained such great honour! The entire Negro community in this country
feels proud of you.” Swamiji eagerly shook hands with the porter and
said warmly, “Thank You! Thank You, brother.” He refused to deny that he
was a Negro. That was his solidarity.
Vivekanada understood the cause of disharmony among races and
nations. In his speech at the ‘Parliament of Religions’, Vivekananda
pointed out that “Sectarianism, bigotry and its horrible descendent
fanaticism, have long possessed our world. They have filled the earth
with violence and drenched it often with human blood, destroyed
civilisations and sent whole nations to despair. Had it not been for
these demons, human society would be far more advanced than it is now.”
(Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda, Volume 1, Page: 4) Vivekananda
warned everyone that until we end fanaticism and persecution with the
pen or sword, we will never be able to have any sort of peace or human
solidarity. The truth is that we never took Swami Vivekananda’s message
of ‘Universal Brotherhood’ seriously, which is what led to the barbaric
attack on the World Trade Centre in New York on another 9/11, in 2001.
Fanaticism, petty-mindedness, bigotry and selfishness are the reasons
for all the disharmony and hatred among different groups today. If
everyone seeks to assess the teachings of their religion, they will
understand that religion is actually realisation --- realisation of the
reality that lies in everyone, the essence of our life, the
consciousness or energy that animates and sustains all life.
This year is the 150th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda and it
high time we turn to him once again and imbibe his spirit of ‘Universal
Brotherhood’. Let us assimilate the ideals Vivekananda practiced ---
‘Help and Not Fight’, Assimilation and Not Destruction’ and ‘Harmony and
Not Dissension’.
This is the need of the hour and a huge challenge before us. Let us
expand our hearts and give up the attitude of the frog in the well, who
thinks that his own abode is the ultimate reality.
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