Editing Swami Vivekananda (section)

==First visit to the West (1893–1897)==
{{see also|Swami Vivekananda at the Parliament of the World's Religions}}
Vivekananda visited several cities in [[Empire of Japan|Japan]] (including Nagasaki, Kobe, Yokohama, Osaka, Kyoto and Tokyo),{{Sfn|Paranjape | 2005 | pp = 246–248}} [[Qing Dynasty|China]] and [[Canada]] en route to the United States,{{Sfn|Bhuyan|2003|p=15}} reaching Chicago on 30 July 1893.{{Sfn|Badrinath|2006|p=158}}{{Sfn|Bhuyan|2003|p=15}} The "[[Parliament of Religions]]" took place in September 1893.{{sfn|De Michelis|2005|p=110}} An initiative of the [[Swedenborgianism|Swedenborgian]] layman and Illinois Supreme Court judge [[Charles C. Bonney]],<ref name="interfaith">{{Cite web|url=http://www.theinterfaithobserver.org/journal-articles/2012/6/15/charles-bonney-and-the-idea-for-a-world-parliament-of-religi.html|title=Charles Bonney and the Idea for a World Parliament of Religions|website=The Interfaith Observer|date=15 June 2012 |access-date=28 December 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://people.bu.edu/wwildman/bce/worldparliamentofreligions1893.htm|title=World Parliament of Religions, 1893 (Boston Collaborative Encyclopedia of Western Theology)|website=people.bu.edu|access-date=28 December 2019}}</ref> the Congress sought to gather all the religions of the world, with the aim of showing "the substantial unity of many religions in the good deeds of the religious life."<ref name="interfaith" /> The Brahmo Samaj and the [[Theosophical Society]] were invited as representative of [[Hinduism]].{{sfn|De Michelis|2005|p=112}}

Vivekananda wished to participate, but learned that only individuals with credentials from a ''[[bona fide]]'' organisation would be accepted as delegates.{{Sfn|Minor|1986|p=133}} Disappointed, he contacted Professor [[John Henry Wright]] of [[Harvard University]], who had invited him to speak at Harvard.{{Sfn|Minor|1986|p=133}} Vivekananda wrote of the professor: "He urged upon me the necessity of going to the [[Parliament of Religions]], which he thought would give an introduction to the nation".{{Sfn|Bhuyan|2003|p=16}} On hearing that Vivekananda lacked the credentials to speak at the Parliament, Wright said: "To ask for your credentials is like asking the sun to state its right to shine in the heavens".{{Sfn|Bhuyan|2003|p=16}} Vivekananda submitted an application introducing himself as a monk "of the oldest order of ''sannyāsis'' ... founded by Sankara".{{sfn|De Michelis|2005|p=112}} The application was supported by the Brahmo Samaj representative [[Protap Chandra Mozoomdar|Protapchandra Mozoombar]], who was also a member of the Parliament's selection committee.{{sfn|De Michelis|2005|p=112}}

===Parliament of the World's Religions===

The Parliament of the World's Religions opened on 11 September 1893 at the [[Art Institute of Chicago]], as part of the [[World's Columbian Exposition]].{{Sfn|Houghton|1893|p=22}}{{Sfn|Bhide|2008|p=9}}{{Sfn|Paul|2003|p=33}} On this day, Vivekananda gave a brief speech representing India and [[Hinduism]].{{Sfn|Banhatti|1995|p=27}} He bowed to [[Saraswati]] (the Hindu goddess of learning) and began his [[s:The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda/Volume 1/Addresses at The Parliament of Religions/Response to Welcome|speech]] with "Sisters and brothers of America!".{{Sfn|Bhuyan|2003|p=17}}{{Sfn|Paul|2003|p=33}} At these words, Vivekananda received a two-minute standing ovation from the crowd of seven thousand.{{Sfn|Paul|2003|p=34}} When silence was restored he began his address, greeting the youngest of the nations on behalf of "the most ancient order of monks in the world, the Vedic order of sannyasins, a religion which has taught the world both tolerance and universal acceptance".{{sfn|McRae|1991|p=17}}{{refn|group=note |McRae quotes "[a] sectarian biography of Vivekananda,"{{sfn|McRae|1991|p=16}} namely Sailendra Nath Dhar ''A Comprehensive Biography of Swami Vivekananda, Part One'', (Madras, India: Vivekananda Prakashan Kendra, 1975), p. 461, which "describes his speech on the opening day".{{sfn|McRae|1991|p=34, note 20}}}} Vivekananda quoted one illustrative passage from the "[[Shiva mahimna stotram]]" (Verse 7): "As the different streams having their sources in different places all mingle their water in the sea, so, O Lord, the different paths which men take, through different tendencies, various though they appear, crooked or straight, all lead to Thee!" and another from the Bhagavad Gita (4.11) "Whosoever comes to Me, through whatsoever form, I reach him; all men are struggling through paths that in the end lead to Me."{{sfn|McRae|1991|pp=18}} According to Sailendra Nath Dhar, "it was only a short speech, but it voiced the spirit of the Parliament."{{Sfn|McRae|1991|pp=18}}{{Sfn|Prabhananda|2003|p=234}}

Parliament President [[John Henry Barrows]] said, "India, the Mother of religions was represented by Swami Vivekananda, the Orange-monk who exercised the most wonderful influence over his auditors".{{Sfn|Bhuyan|2003|p=17}} Vivekananda attracted widespread attention in the press, which called him the "cyclonic monk from India". The ''New York Critique'' wrote, "He is an orator by divine right, and his strong, intelligent face in its picturesque setting of yellow and orange was hardly less interesting than those earnest words, and the rich, rhythmical utterance he gave them". The ''[[New York Herald]]'' noted, "Vivekananda is undoubtedly the greatest figure in the Parliament of Religions. After hearing him we feel how foolish it is to send [[Christian missionary|missionaries]] to this learned nation".{{Sfn|Farquhar|1915|p = 202}} American newspapers reported Vivekananda as "the greatest figure in the parliament of religions" and "the most popular and influential man in the parliament".{{Sfn|Sharma|1988|p=87}}
The ''[[Boston Evening Transcript]]'' reported that Vivekananda was "a great favourite at the parliament... if he merely crosses the platform, he is applauded".{{Sfn|Adiswarananda|2006|pp=177–179}} He spoke [[s:The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda/Volume 1/Addresses at The Parliament of Religions|several more times]] "at receptions, the scientific section, and private homes"{{sfn|McRae|1991|p=17}} on topics related to Hinduism, [[Buddhism]] and harmony among religions. Vivekananda's speeches at the Parliament had the common theme of universality, emphasising religious tolerance.{{Sfn|Bhuyan|2003|p=18}} He soon became known as a "handsome oriental" and made a huge impression as an orator.{{Sfn|Thomas|2003|pp=74–77}} Hearing Vivekananda speak, Harvard psychology professor [[William James]] said, "that man is simply a wonder for oratorical power. He is an honor to humanity."<ref>{{cite web|title=When East Met West – in 1893|url=https://www.theattic.space/home-page-blogs/2019/9/6/when-east-met-west-in-1893?rq=Vivekananda|website=The Attic|access-date=5 November 2019|archive-date=20 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200420050443/https://www.theattic.space/home-page-blogs/2019/9/6/when-east-met-west-in-1893?rq=Vivekananda|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==={{anchor|Lecturing tours in America and England}}Lecture tours in the UK and US===

After the Parliament of Religions, Vivekananda toured many parts of the US as a guest. His popularity gave him an unprecedented opportunity to communicate his views on life and religion to great numbers of people.{{Sfn|Thomas|2003|pp=74–77}} During a question-answer session at Brooklyn Ethical Society, he remarked, "I have a message to the West as [[Gautama Buddha|Buddha]] had a message to the East." On another occasion he described his mission thus:<blockquote>I do not come to convert you to a new belief. I want you to keep your own belief; I want to make the [[Methodist]] a better Methodist; the [[Presbyterian]] a better Presbyterian; the [[Unitarianism|Unitarian]] a better Unitarian. I want to teach you to live the truth, to reveal the light within your own soul.{{Sfn|Vivekananda|2001|p=419}}</blockquote>

Vivekananda spent nearly two years lecturing in the eastern and central United States, primarily in [[Chicago]], [[Detroit]], [[Boston]], and [[New York City|New York]]. He founded the [[Vedanta Society]] of New York in 1894.{{Sfn|Gupta|1986|p=118}} His demanding schedule eventually began to affect his health,{{Sfn|Isherwood|Adjemian|1987|pp=121–122}} and in Spring 1895 he ended his lecture tours and began giving free, private classes in Vedanta and [[yoga]]. Beginning in June 1895, he gave [[Inspired Talks|private lectures]] to a dozen of his disciples at [[Thousand Island Park, New York]] for two months.{{Sfn|Isherwood|Adjemian|1987|pp=121–122}} Vivekananda was offered academic positions in two American universities (one the chair in [[Eastern Philosophy]] at [[Harvard University]] and a similar position at [[Columbia University]]); he declined both, since his duties would conflict with his commitment as a monk.{{Sfn|Isherwood|Adjemian|1987|pp=121–122}}

Vivekananda travelled to the United Kingdom in 1895 and again in 1896.{{Sfn|Banhatti|1995|p=30}} In November 1895 he met an Irish woman, Margaret Elizabeth Noble, who would become one of his closest disciples, known as [[Sister Nivedita]] (a name given her by the Swami, meaning "dedicated to God").{{Sfn|Isherwood|Adjemian|1987|pp=121–122}} On his second visit, in May 1896, Vivekananda met [[Max Müller]], a noted [[Indologist]] from [[Oxford University]] who wrote Ramakrishna's first biography in the West.{{Sfn|Prabhananda|2003|p=234}} From the UK, he visited other European countries. In Germany, he met [[Paul Deussen]], another renowned Indologist.{{Sfn|Chetananda|1997|pp=49–50}}

{{multiple image
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| image1 =  Vivekananda Image August 1894.jpg
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| caption1 = Vivekananda in [[Green Acre|Greenacre]], Maine (August 1894).<ref>{{cite web|title=Swami Vivekananda Know Photos America 1893–1895 |url=http://www.vivekananda.net/photos/1893-1895TN/pages/green_acre-1894-august-4.htm |publisher=vivekananda.net|access-date=6 April 2012}}</ref>
| image2 =  Swami Vivekananda at Mead sisters house, South Pasadena.jpg
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| caption2 = Vivekananda at Mead sisters' house, [[South Pasadena, California|South Pasadena]] in 1900.
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Vivekananda's success led to a change in mission, namely the establishment of Vedanta centres in the West.{{sfn|De Michelis|2005|p=120}} He adapted traditional Hindu ideas and religiosity to suit the needs and understandings of his western audiences, who were more familiar with western esoteric traditions and movements.{{sfn|De Michelis|2005|p=119-123}} An important element in his adaptation of Hindu religiosity was the introduction of his "four yogas" model, based in [[Raja yoga]], which offered a practical means to realise the divine force within, a central goal of modern western esotericism.{{sfn|De Michelis|2005|p=119-123}} In 1896, his book ''[[Raja Yoga (book)|Raja Yoga]]'', an interpretation and adaptation of [[Patanjali]]'s [[Yoga sutras]],{{sfn|De Michelis|2005|p=123-126}} was published, becoming an instant success; it became highly influential in the western understanding of [[yoga]], in [[Elizabeth de Michelis]]'s view marking the beginning of [[modern yoga]].{{sfn|De Michelis|2005|p=125-126}}{{sfn|De Michelis|2005|p=149-180}}

Vivekananda attracted followers and admirers in the US and Europe, including [[Josephine MacLeod]], [[Betty Leggett]], [[Alberta Montagu, Countess of Sandwich|Lady Sandwich]], [[William James]], [[Josiah Royce]], [[Robert G. Ingersoll]], [[Lord Kelvin]], [[Harriet Monroe]], [[Ella Wheeler Wilcox]], [[Sarah Bernhardt]], [[Nikola Tesla]], [[Emma Calvé]] and [[Hermann Ludwig Ferdinand von Helmholtz]].{{Sfn|Nikhilananda|1964}}{{Sfn|Isherwood|Adjemian|1987|pp=121–122}}{{Sfn|Chetananda|1997|pp=49–50}}{{Sfn|Chetananda|1997|p=47}}<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bardach |first1=A. L. |title=What Did J.D. Salinger, Leo Tolstoy, and Sarah Bernhardt Have in Common? |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702303404704577305581227233656 |access-date=31 March 2022 |newspaper=Wall Street Journal |date=30 March 2012}}</ref> He initiated several followers, including Marie Louise (a French woman) who became [[Swami Abhayananda]], and Leon Landsberg who became Swami Kripananda,{{Sfn|Burke|1958|p=618}} so that they could serve the mission of the Vedanta Society.{{Sfn|Thomas|2003|pp=78–81}} He also initiated Christina Greenstidel of Detroit, who became [[Sister Christine]],{{sfn|Vrajaprana|1996|p=7}} with whom he developed a close father–daughter relationship.<ref name="Sarada society">{{cite journal |title=A Monumental Meeting | periodical= Sri Sarada Society Notes |last=Shack | first=Joan |url=http://www.srisarada.org/notes/512.pdf |location=Albany, New York |year= 2012 |volume=18 |issue=1}}</ref>

While in America, Vivekananda was given land to establish a retreat for Vedanta students, in the mountains to the southeast of [[San Jose, California]]. He called it "Peace retreat", or ''Shanti Asrama''.{{Sfn|Wuthnow|2011|pp=85–86}} There were twelve main centres established in America, the largest being the Vedanta Society of Southern California in Hollywood. There is also a Vedanta Press in Hollywood which publishes books about Vedanta and English translations of Hindu scriptures and texts.{{Sfn|Rinehart|2004|p=392}}

From the West, Vivekananda revived his work in India. He regularly corresponded with his followers and brother monks, offering advice and financial support. His letters from this period reflect his campaign of social service,{{Sfn|Kattackal|1982|p=219}} and were strongly worded.{{Sfn|Majumdar|1963|p=577}} He wrote to [[Akhandananda]], "Go from door to door amongst the poor and lower classes of the town of Khetri and teach them religion. Also, let them have oral lessons on geography and such other subjects. No good will come of sitting idle and having princely dishes, and saying "Ramakrishna, O Lord!"—unless you can do some good to the poor".{{Sfn|Burke|1985|p=417}}{{Sfn|Sharma|1963|p=227}} In 1895, Vivekananda founded the periodical ''[[Vedanta Kesari|Brahmavadin]]''.{{Sfn|Sheean|2005|p=345}} His translation of the first six chapters of ''[[The Imitation of Christ]]'' was published in ''Brahmavadin'' in 1899.{{Sfn|Sharma|1988|p=83}} Vivekananda left for India from England on 16 December 1896, accompanied by his disciples Captain and Mrs. Sevier and J.J. Goodwin. On the way, they visited France and Italy, and set sail for India from Naples on 30 December 1896.{{Sfn|Banhatti|1995|pp=33–34}} He was followed to India by Sister Nivedita, who devoted the rest of her life to the education of Indian women and the goal of India's independence.{{Sfn|Isherwood|Adjemian|1987|pp=121–122}}{{Sfn|Dhar|1976|p=852}}