On this day, Swami Vivekananda (1863-1902) spoke at the
Parliament of the World’s Religions at Chicago in 1893. He
addressed his audience as “Sisters and Brothers of America” and
proceeded to introduce them to the dharma — the Sanatana Dharma
which is also known as Hinduism. Here’s bit from that speech: 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 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 f