Thread by @shrutisggupta

Swami Vivekananda on September 11, 1893, at the first World’s Parliament of Religions, introduced Hinduism to America.

Presenting you a part of his speech:

Sisters and Brothers of America,

It fills my heart with joy unspeakable to rise in response to the warm and

cordial welcome which you have given us.

I 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 millions and millions of Hindu people of all classes and sects.

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 belong to the religion which has sheltered and is still fostering the remnant of the grand Zoroastrian nation.

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 pen, and of all uncharitable feelings between persons wending their way to the same goal.

#SwamiVivekanand