Address at Chicago by Swami Vivekananda

Sisters and Brothers of America

It fills my heart with an unspeakable joy to rise in response to the warm and cordial welcome that 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 the millions and millions of Hindu people of all classes and sects. My thanks also go 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 honour of bearing to different lands the idea of toleration. I am proud to belong to a religion that 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 that has sheltered the persecuted and refugees of all religions and all nations of the earth. We have gathered the purest remnant of the Israelites in our bosom, who came to southern India and sought refuge with us in the same year that Roman tyranny shattered their holy temple to pieces. I am proud to belong to the religion that has sheltered and is still fostering the remnants of the grand Zoroastrian nation. I will share with you, brethren, a few lines from a hymn that I recall reciting from my earliest boyhood, and that millions of people repeat every day:

As the different streams having their sources in different places all mingle their water in the sea, so, O Lord, the different paths that 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:

Whoever comes to me, through whatever form, I reach him; all men are struggling through paths that, 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 civilisation, and sent whole nations into despair.

Without these horrible demons, human society would be much further along. But their time has come, and I fervently hope that the bell that tolled this morning in honour 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.

Source: http://ibnlive.in.com/news/full-text-swami-vivekanandas-chicago speech, 220148-53.html

Source: http://spiritquotes.com/poems/swamivivekananda/swamivivekananda_livinggod17

Analysis of the speech:

Historical reference: Delivered on 11 September 1893 at the Parliament of the World's Religions in Chicago, USA. The occasion marked the first gathering of representatives from Eastern and Western spiritual traditions, fostering interfaith dialogue.

Personal connection: The presentation begins with a warm greeting, ‘Sisters and Brothers of America,’ which immediately establishes a connection with the audience.

Inclusivity and tolerance: This emphasise universal acceptance and tolerance of all religions, appealing to a diverse audience.

Historical and religious references: This approach utilises historical and religious references to emphasise the message of unity and tolerance.

Poetic elements: Incorporates a hymn to illustrate the unity of different paths leading to the same goal, adding a lyrical quality to the speech.

Condemnation of bigotry: The speech strongly condemns sectarianism and bigotry, promoting a vision of universal brotherhood and peace.