128TH ANNIVERSARY OF SWAMI VIVEKANAND’S HISTORIC CHICAGO ADDRESS

128TH ANNIVERSARY OF SWAMI VIVEKANAND’S HISTORIC CHICAGO ADDRESS

Context:

The year 2021, marks the 128th anniversary of Swami Vivekananda's Chicago historic address. On September 11, 1893, Swami Vivekananda delivered his famous speech at the 'Parliament of the World's Religions', receiving a full two-minute minute standing ovation and the celebration of the 'Indian monk'.

Significance of the Address:

• Chicago’s address has long been full of Hinduism and Indian culture, and his words continue to touch on to this day.
• This address drew international attention to the ancient Indian philosophy of Vedanta.

About Swami Vivekananda:

• He was born Narendranath Datta.
• He was an Indian Hindu monk.
• He was a disciple of the 19th-century Indian mystic Ramakrishna.
• He was influenced by Western esotericism.
• He was a key figure in the introduction of the Indian darsanas (teachings, practices) of Vedanta and Yoga to the Western world, and is credited with raising interfaith awareness, bringing Hinduism to the status of a major world religion during the late 19th century.
• He was a true light bearer, known for enlightening the western world through Hinduism.
• He was a major force in the contemporary Hindu reform movements in India and contributed to the concept of nationalism in colonial India.
• He founded the Ramakrishna Math and the Ramakrishna Mission.