Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Drishtikone

Home
Hindu
September 11: When a Monk “Invaded” the Consciousness of America 120 years ago

September 11: When a Monk “Invaded” the Consciousness of America 120 years ago

Last updated on: September 11, 2013 at 10:29 am by Desh Kapoor

September 11: When a Monk “Invaded” the Consciousness of America 120 years ago 2013-09-11T10:29:41-05:00 Desh Kapoor

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

12 years from now on the early morning of morning of September 11, 2001, 19 Islamic hijackers took control of four commercial airliners (two Boeing 757 and two Boeing 767) en route to California (three headed to LAX in Los Angeles, and one to San Francisco) after takeoffs fromBoston, Massachusetts; Newark, New Jersey; and Washington, D.C – are unleashed a terror attack so unprecedented that it has remained the most iconic image in most Americans of this generation.

And, with that 9-11 has come to have a dark and black connotation in the minds of most Americans. But it wasn’t always so. 120 years from now, on this very day – September 11; there was another “invasion”. Not of a terrorist, but a Monk.

A Monk who introduced the concept of Hinduism and Dharma to the Americans for the first time. His name was Swami Vivekananda. The day was September 11, 1893. Never before had an Eastern Monk, so well articulate in English, so well steeped in Dharmic Spiritual order and so well accomplished spoken to the Americans. Here is the speech he gave along with other lectures he gave during the course of the whole event.

Part 1

Part 2

That trip of Swami Vivekananda was a very special one for all. US and India. On that trip in 1893, he initiated three movements that have shaped the World, India and US in ways very few can fathom.

Yoga and Spirituality: The seeds of Yoga and Hindu Spirituality were sown by him. This generation has seen Deepak Chopra do something similar, but Swami Vivekananda was Dr. Deepak Chopra on steroids. While Dr. Chopra shies away from speaking of the Hinduism – yes, it is not a religion, but since that is that broader narrative then why not? – in context of the Spiritual messages he shares; Swami Vivekananda spoke freely and openly about the gift of Spirituality that he brought from the “Ancient lands”. If only, Yoga and Hinduism offered by Swami Vivekananda had been in good hands, things here would have been different. But whatever good you see coming out of it, was first initiated by Swami Vivekananda.

Charities by US Corporations and the Rich: Not many know, but India’s Tata group – started by Jamsetji Tata – had started a Formal Charity organization even before any significant charity was started in US by any businessman. On that trip, when John Rockefeller came to “check out the Indian Monk”, little did he realize that he will end up getting pushed to start a movement in the US, which will be taken by Warren Buffett and Bill Gates to even greater heights. (How Swami Vivekananda changed John Rockefeller)

Initiation of Research in Fundamental Science in India: On the voyage from Japan to Chicago, there was another traveller on the ship which brought in Swami Vivekananda. It was Jamsetji Tata. He was coming to get the Iron & Steel plant from the US, which he wanted to establish in what is now known as Jamshedpur. The two struck a conversation, where Swami Vivekananda inspired Jamsetji Tata to start something in fundamental science research in India and not just import a plant from the West. That started a series of events which culminated in the establishment of Indian Institute of Science later. Here is a portion on this discussion from a speech by India’s ex-President APJ Abdul Kalam.

Jamshedji said that he wanted to bring steel industry to India. Swami Vivekanda blessed him. He suggested steel technology had two components – one is steel science and the other is manufacturing technology. What can you bring to this country in material technology – you will have to build material science within the country. Jamshedji was thinking and thinking and made a decision.

The Two “Invasions”

Many come to the shore of great nations. What they bring with them and how they treat the new land is very important for all. While a Monk who came 120 years back still inspires millions to live a life of fulfillment, health, well being and Spirituality; the terrorists from another land brought destruction, which has taken many lives and still is pushing the world to disastrous wars.

An entire culture of Middle East, which has always – for last 1400 years unleashed brutal wars and take over of lands by annihilating the local cultures and traditions, far more sophisticated than those Desert ways; could bring to the US what it hid in its bosom. India’s Dharmic tradition sent what it hid in its bosom, a message of wellbeing and “toleration”, as Swami Vivekananda called it.

How the Americans treated “the Monk”

The Americans were taken over by the personality, poise, wit and humor of the Monk who spoke in perfect Queen’s English and without notes. This article from New York Critic, dated November 11, 1893 titled “The Chicago Letter” says it all.

. . . It was an outgrowth of the Parliament of Religions, which opened our eyes to the fact that the philosophy of the ancient creeds contains much beauty for the moderns. When we had once clearly perceived this, our interest in their exponents quickened, and with characteristic eagerness we set out in pursuit of knowledge. The most available means of obtaining it, after the close of the Parliament, was through the addresses and lectures of Suami Vivekananda, who is still in this city. His original purpose in coming to this country was to interest Americans in the starting of new industries among the Hindoos, but he has abandoned this for the present, because he finds that, as “the Americans are the most charitable people in the world,” every man with a purpose comes here for assistance in carrying it out. When asked about the relative condition of the poor here and in India, he replied that our poor would be princes there, and that he had been taken through the worst quarter of the city only to find it, from the standpoint of his knowledge, comfortable and even pleasant.
A Brahmin of the Brahmins, Vivekananda gave up his rank to join the brotherhood of monks, where all pride of caste is voluntarily relinquished. And yet he bears the mark of race upon his person. His culture, his eloquence, and his fascinating personality have given us a new idea of Hindoo civilization. He is an interesting figure, his fine, intelligent, mobile face in its setting of yellows, and his deep, musical voice prepossessing one at once in his favor. So it is not strange that he has been taken up by the literary clubs, has preached and lectured in churches, until the life of Buddha and the doctrines of his faith have grown familiar to us. He speaks without notes, presenting his facts and his conclusions with the greatest art, the most convincing sincerity; and rising at times to a rich, inspiring eloquence. As learned and cultivated, apparently, as the most accomplished Jesuit, he has also something Jesuitical in the character of his mind; but though the little sarcasms thrown into his discourses are as keen as a rapier, they are so delicate as to be lost on many of his hearers. Nevertheless his courtesy is unfailing, for these thrusts are never pointed so directly at our customs as to be rude. At present he contents himself with enlightening us in regard to his religion and the words of its philosophers. He looks forward to the time when we shall pass beyond idolatry–now necessary in his opinion to the ignorant classes,–beyond worship, even, to a knowledge of the presence of God in nature, of the divinity and responsibility of man. “Work out your own salvation,” he says with the dying Buddha; “I cannot help you. No man can help you. Help yourself.”

There were more and more superlatives given out by many papers and journals from Minnesota to Iowa.

The First speech on September 11, 1893

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 mother of religions; and I thank you in the name of the millions and millions of Hindu people of all classes and sects. My thanks, also, to some of the speakers on this platform who, referring to the delegates from the Orient, have told you that these men from far-off nations may well claim the honor of bearing to different lands the idea of toleration.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. I am proud to tell you that we have gathered in our bosom the purest remnant of the Israelites, who came to the southern India and took refuge with us in the very year in which their holy temple was shattered to pieces by Roman tyranny. I am proud to belong to the religion which has sheltered and is still fostering the remnant of the grand Zoroastrian nation. I will quote to you, brethren, a few lines from a hymn which I remember to have repeated from my earliest boyhood, which is every day repeated by millions of human beings: As the different streams having there sources in different places all mingle their water in the sea, so, O Lord, the different paths which men take through different tendencies, various though they appear, crooked or straight, all lead to thee. 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.

Indian Institute of Science

Previous Post

August 9, 2013

Curse of Caste System: Caste is not the problem, Lack of Social Mobility is

Next Post

September 25, 2013 Yoga and Hinduism: Join for a discussion in Houston

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Aarti Achievement and Leadership AfPak Africa Annual and Year-end Asia Audio Australia Behavioural Sciences Bhagwad Gita Bhagwad Gita Blogging Blogs Business Business Intelligence Business Strategy Cannes Careers Chanakya China Conservation Corruption Creative Daily Links Desh Poems Development & Welfare Devotional Audio Devotional Songs Drama Earth Economics Education Entertainment Environment Europe Everyday Quotes Featured Articles Featured Songs Finance Flickr Pictures Food Geo-Political Global Warming Globalization Health & Medicine Hinduism Historic History Humour India Indian Culture Indian music Indian Weddings Israel Issues Legal Link Love Minorities Misc Motivation and Personal Development Movie Lists Movie Reviews Movies Mumbai terror attacks Natural Disasters Nature News Outsourcing Pakistan Parenting Personal Philosophy Poetry Politics Poverty Quotes Recipe Regular Blog Post Relationships Religion Religious/Spiritual Audio Sciences Showcase Slideshow South Asia Special Stories Spiritual Quotes Spirituality Sports Stories Strategy Technology Technology Terrorism Travel Uncategorized US Video Women Women_s Rights Worship Yoga

Select a Month December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 June 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 September 2014 August 2014 January 2014 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008 December 2007 November 2007 October 2007 September 2007 August 2007 July 2007 June 2007 May 2007 April 2007 March 2007 February 2007 January 2007 December 2006 November 2006 October 2006 September 2006 August 2006 July 2006 June 2006 May 2006 April 2006 March 2006 February 2006 January 2006 December 2005 November 2005 October 2005 September 2005 August 2005

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

How long, Lord, must I call for help and you do not listen? Why do you make me look at injustice? This prophet questioned God's justice. Who am I?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Habakkuk Jeremiah Job Asaph