18 February
18 Feb 1894 : Newspaper Reports: "The divinity of man" and "Hindu
Philosophy" in Detroit Free Press - Vive Kananda proceeded to analyze
the physical, mental and soul attributes of life. The body is but a
shell; the mind something that acts but a brief and fantastic part;
while the soul has distinct individuality in itself. To realize the
infinity of self is to attain "freedom" which is
the Hindoo word for "salvation." By a convincing manner of argument the
lecturer showed that every soul is something independent, for if it
were dependent, it could not acquire immortality. ...The Hindoo religion
was not one of self; ever egotistical in its aspirations, ever holding
up promises of reward or threats of punishment. It shows to the
individual he may attain infinity by non-self. This system of bribing
men to become Christians, alleged to have come from God, who manifested
Himself to certain men on earth, is atrocious. It is horribly
demoralizing and the Christian creed, accepted literally, has a shameful
effect upon the moral natures of the bigots who accept it, retarding
the time when the infinity of self may be attained.
Detroit Tribune
writes The mission of Kananda is, however, one that should commend
it[self] to every lover of humanity. He hopes to see the best of our
material philosophy and progress infused into Hindoo civilization, and
that, also, we may take lessons from them, until we shall all become, as
we once were in ages past, brother Aryans, possessing a common
civilization — the exalted philosophy of non-self, being alike without
sect or creed in oneness with God.
Detroit Free Press writes What he
said was that different people have different religions, and that is
well. The Christian religion may answer the needs of certain people, but
the Hindoo religion answers better the needs of the people of India,
because it teaches them higher doctrines of morality than other nations
are prepared to receive....
18 Feb 1902 - In a letter to Swami
Brahmananda, he writes -Anxiety is worse than the disease. Give a little
money — whatever is needed. If in this hell of a world one can bring a
little joy and peace even for a day into the heart of a single person,
that much alone is true; this I have learnt after suffering all my life;
all else is mere moonshine. . . .
Join the year long 150th Birth Anniversary of Swami Vivekananda : sv150.org Vivekananda Kendra, Kanyakumari
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