Swami Vivekananda's words illuminating the stairs of the Art Institute in Chicago
On Swami Vivekananda's birth anniversary today, a post on Twitter made his famous speech at the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago come alive. Words of the landmark speech delivered on September 11, 1893 illuminate the stairs of the Art Institute of Chicago, then known as the Permanent Memorial Art Palace, where the World Parliament of Religions was held. The rise of each step has Swami Vivekananda's lines, starting with his opening words - "Sisters and brothers of America, it fills my heart with joy unspeakable to rise in response to the warm and cordial welcome which you have given us. I thank you in name of the most ancient order of monks in the world; I thank you in the name of the mother of religions; and I thank you in the name of millions and millions of Hindu people of all classes and sects...".
According to the article in publicartinchicago.com, there were 7,000 people present at the Chicago venue and soon as Swami Vivekananda said "Sisters and Brothers of America...," he received "a standing ovation and clapping that lasted for more than three minutes."
The Art Institute of Chicago commemorated Swami Vivekananda's speech with a number of rare photos like the hall where he spoke and several plaques with his quotes and signature.
Here are few quotes from Swami Vivekananda's Chicago speech that left an indelible mark on people across generations:
"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." - Swami Vivekananda
"Sectarianism, bigotry, and it's horrible descendant, fanaticism, have long possessed this beautiful Earth. They have filled the earth with violence, drenched it often and often with human blood, destroyed civilization, and sent whole nations to despair. Had it not been for these horrible demons, human society would be far more advanced than it is now." - Swami Vivekananda.