Vivekananda: Difference between revisions

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'''ARTICLE UNDER CONSTRUCTION'''<br>
'''ARTICLE UNDER CONSTRUCTION'''<br>
[[File:Swami Vivekananda 1893.jpg|right|210px|thumb|Swami Vivekananda in 1893]]
[[File:Swami Vivekananda 1893.jpg|right|210px|thumb|Swami Vivekananda in 1893]]
'''Swami Vivekananda''' (12 January 1863 – 4 July 1902) was an Indian Hindu monk and disciple of Ramakrishna. He introduced [[Hinduism]] at the [[World's Parliament of Religions (1893)|World's Parliament of Religions]] in Chicago in 1893, and founded the Vedanta Society of New York in 1894.
'''Swami Vivekananda''' (12 January 1863 – 4 July 1902) was an Indian Hindu monk and disciple of Ramakrishna. He introduced [[Hinduism]] at the [[World's Parliament of Religions (1893)|World's Parliament of Religions]] in Chicago in 1893, and founded the Vedanta Society of New York in 1894.
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== Theosophical Society interactions ==
== Theosophical Society interactions ==


Vivekananda and the [[Theosophical Society]] shared many ideals and goals, but misunderstandings marred the relationship.
Vivekananda and the [[Theosophical Society]] shared many ideals and goals, but misunderstandings and distrust marred the relationship.


[[Annie Besant]], on hearing the Swami speak at the Parliament, wrote appreciatively:
[[Annie Besant]], on hearing the Swami speak at the Parliament, wrote appreciatively:
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A striking figure, clad in yellow and orange, shining like the sun of India in the midst of the heavy atmosphere of Chicago, a lion head, piercing eyes, mobile lips, movements swift and abrupt - such was my first impression of Swami Vivekananda. All was subdued to the exquisite beauty of the spiritual message which he had brought, to the sublimity of that matchless truth of the East which is the heart and the life of India, the wondrous teaching of the Self. Enraptured, the huge multitude hung upon his words; not a syllable must be lost, not a cadence missed! "That man, a heathen!" said one, as he came out of the great hall, "and we send missionaries to his people! It would be more fitting that they should send missionaries to us!"<ref>David Frawley, "Modern India Owes a lot to Annie Besant" [https://www.dailyo.in/lifestyle/annie-besant-theosophical-society-spirituality-humanity-india-vivekananda-home-rule-indian-freedom-struggle/story/1/6586.html Dailyo.in] March 10, 2015.</ref>  
A striking figure, clad in yellow and orange, shining like the sun of India in the midst of the heavy atmosphere of Chicago, a lion head, piercing eyes, mobile lips, movements swift and abrupt - such was my first impression of Swami Vivekananda. All was subdued to the exquisite beauty of the spiritual message which he had brought, to the sublimity of that matchless truth of the East which is the heart and the life of India, the wondrous teaching of the Self. Enraptured, the huge multitude hung upon his words; not a syllable must be lost, not a cadence missed! "That man, a heathen!" said one, as he came out of the great hall, "and we send missionaries to his people! It would be more fitting that they should send missionaries to us!"<ref>David Frawley, "Modern India Owes a lot to Annie Besant" [https://www.dailyo.in/lifestyle/annie-besant-theosophical-society-spirituality-humanity-india-vivekananda-home-rule-indian-freedom-struggle/story/1/6586.html Dailyo.in] March 10, 2015.</ref>  
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Vivekananda's influence would not have been possible without the pioneering work of the Theosophical Society. Scholar E. De Michelis wrote that Vivekananda--
<blockquote>... Capitalized on the interest in Indian religions generated by the academic study of religion and, even more so, by the popularization of Oriental ideas carried out by occultist groups such as the Theosophical Society.<ref>Elizabeth De Michelis, ''A History of Modern Yoga'', (New York, NY: Continuum, 2008), 154.</ref></blockquote>


[[File:Vivekananda as mason.jpg|right|140px|thumb|Vivekananda as Freemason]]
[[File:Vivekananda as mason.jpg|right|140px|thumb|Vivekananda as Freemason]]

Revision as of 18:17, 14 September 2020

ARTICLE UNDER CONSTRUCTION
ARTICLE UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Swami Vivekananda in 1893

Swami Vivekananda (12 January 1863 – 4 July 1902) was an Indian Hindu monk and disciple of Ramakrishna. He introduced Hinduism at the World's Parliament of Religions in Chicago in 1893, and founded the Vedanta Society of New York in 1894.

Early life

Education and monastic life

Travels in the West

Vivekananda with Anagarika Dharmapala in 1893

World's Parliament of Religions (1893)

Lecture tours

Travels in India

Theosophical Society interactions

Vivekananda and the Theosophical Society shared many ideals and goals, but misunderstandings and distrust marred the relationship.

Annie Besant, on hearing the Swami speak at the Parliament, wrote appreciatively:

A striking figure, clad in yellow and orange, shining like the sun of India in the midst of the heavy atmosphere of Chicago, a lion head, piercing eyes, mobile lips, movements swift and abrupt - such was my first impression of Swami Vivekananda. All was subdued to the exquisite beauty of the spiritual message which he had brought, to the sublimity of that matchless truth of the East which is the heart and the life of India, the wondrous teaching of the Self. Enraptured, the huge multitude hung upon his words; not a syllable must be lost, not a cadence missed! "That man, a heathen!" said one, as he came out of the great hall, "and we send missionaries to his people! It would be more fitting that they should send missionaries to us!"[1]

Vivekananda's influence would not have been possible without the pioneering work of the Theosophical Society. Scholar E. De Michelis wrote that Vivekananda--

... Capitalized on the interest in Indian religions generated by the academic study of religion and, even more so, by the popularization of Oriental ideas carried out by occultist groups such as the Theosophical Society.[2]

Vivekananda as Freemason

Freemasonry

Vivekananda was a Freemason, according to the website of Shillong Freemasons Lodge #61.[3]

Death

Writings and published lectures

The Union Index of Theosophical Periodicals lists 31 articles by or about Swami Vivekananda.

Additional resources

Notes

  1. David Frawley, "Modern India Owes a lot to Annie Besant" Dailyo.in March 10, 2015.
  2. Elizabeth De Michelis, A History of Modern Yoga, (New York, NY: Continuum, 2008), 154.
  3. "Famous Indian Freemasons," Lodge 61 website.