9/11 - "Sisters and Brothers of America" - Speech by Swami Vivekananda @ Parliament of Religions USA

Summary

In a heartfelt address, the speaker expresses gratitude on behalf of ancient monks, religions, and millions of Hindus. They highlight the teachings of tolerance and universal acceptance, urging the end of fanaticism, persecution, and uncharitable feelings towards achieving common goals.

Takeaways

• 🙌 The speaker expresses deep gratitude for the warm welcome received, highlighting the significance of the moment for the ancient order of monks and the millions of Hindu people.
• 🌐 The speaker thanks on behalf of diverse entities, including the oldest religious order, the mother of all religions, and the Hindu community, emphasizing inclusivity and respect for different faiths.
• 🌟 The speech acknowledges the importance of tolerance, a value the speaker's religion has taught the world, and which is exemplified by the diverse paths leading to the same divine goal.
• 📜 The speaker quotes a memorable verse that has been repeated by millions since childhood, symbolizing the unity of different paths and tendencies in the pursuit of the divine.
• 🌱 The verse used in the speech likens the various streams of life to paths that, despite their differences, all converge in the sea or the divine, suggesting universality and interconnectedness.
• 🏛 The speaker takes pride in belonging to a religion that promotes tolerance and universal acceptance, which is a key message of the speech.
• 🔔 The ringing of the bell in honor of the convention is hoped to be a symbolic end to fanaticism, persecution, and uncharitable feelings, advocating for unity and understanding.
• ✍️ The speech calls for an end to persecution both with the sword and the pen, indicating the need to combat violence and hateful rhetoric in all forms.
• 🕊️ There is a fervent hope for the eradication of all forms of fanaticism and the promotion of a path of tolerance and acceptance among people of different beliefs.
• 🌈 The speech serves as a call to action for unity, urging people to move towards the same goal with open hearts and minds, regardless of their religious or cultural backgrounds.
• 🤝 The platform's speakers are acknowledged for their contributions, indicating a collaborative effort in promoting the idea of tolerance and acceptance among different nations and cultures.

Q & A

Who is the speaker addressing in the script?

The speaker is addressing the audience in America, specifically referring to 'sisters and brothers of America'.

What is the speaker expressing gratitude for?

The speaker expresses gratitude for the warm and cordial welcome they received, as well as for the applause that followed.

On whose behalf is the speaker thanking the audience?

The speaker is thanking the audience on behalf of the most ancient order of monks in the world, the mother of all religions, and millions of Hindu people.

What does the speaker say about the religion they belong to?

The speaker is proud to belong to a religion that has taught the world tolerance and universal acceptance.

What is the significance of the lines quoted by the speaker?

The quoted lines emphasize the idea that all paths, despite their differences, ultimately lead to the same divine source, symbolizing unity and acceptance.

What does the speaker hope the bell in the morning signifies?

The speaker hopes that the bell signifies the end of all fanaticism, persecution, and uncharitable feelings among people.

What is the speaker's view on the paths taken by different people?

The speaker believes that despite the differences in paths taken by people, they all lead to the same divine destination, highlighting the concept of universal acceptance.

How does the speaker describe the idea of tolerance in their religion?

The speaker describes tolerance in their religion as a principle that embraces all paths and tendencies, leading to a single divine truth.

What is the speaker's message regarding the delegates from the Orient?

The speaker acknowledges the delegates from the Orient as bearers of the idea of tolerance, suggesting that they play a crucial role in spreading this message across different lands.

What is the speaker's ultimate wish for the future?

The speaker's ultimate wish is for an end to all forms of fanaticism, persecution, and uncharitable feelings, promoting a more harmonious and accepting society.