THE CONCEPT OF UNIVERSAL RELIGION IN SWAMI VIVEKANANDA'S THOUGHT

[cba...@lynx.dac.northeastern.edu]

Themes of Global Vision 2000 Conference
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The Cosmos Is One Family
***************************************************************************** THE CONCEPT OF UNIVERSAL RELIGION IN
SWAMI VIVEKANANDA'S THOUGHT


BY ARVIND SHARMA


Swami Vivekananda's views on the concept of universal religion are
least understood in accordance with his own statements. In the Ideal
of a Universal Religion Vivekananda suggests that all life is
characterized by dualism of action and reaction of which Love and Hate
is another form. As religion represents the highest plane of human
life and thought, the dualism is most marked herein. Intense love and
the most diabolical hatred are found here. Can they be harmonized?

Swami Vivekananda then proceeds to demonstrate that a universal
philosophy mythology or ritual are nowhere found. Then how is it
possible to have a universal form of religion Vivekananda generates
the possibility of one universal religion by pointing out that men Of
different colors and complexions all belong to our single humanity. So
it is with the universal religion which is there in all religions in
the form of God. In Him we all are one.

Vivekananda further says that by the ideal of universal religion is
not meant any single universal philosophy, mythology or ritual, for
this world must go on working wheel within wheel, this intricate mass
of machinery most complex, most wonderful. We can make it run smoothly
by recognizing the natural necessity of variation like unity. We must
learn that truth may be expressed in a hundred thousand ways and yet
each way is true. Truth is multifaceted. However Vivekananda
emphasizes that unlty does not mean either uniformity or unanimity.

Vivekananda wants to incorporate diversity into his idea of a
universal religion. It should be equally philosophical, equally
emotional equally mystic, equally conducive to action. To become
harmoniously balanced in all these four directions is my ideal of a
relegion says Swamiji. And this religion is attained by what we in
India call Yoga. (1) Raja Yoga (2) Bhakti Yoga (3) Karma Yoga and (4)
Jnana Yoga.

As the universal brotherhood of man is already existing. Vivekananda
significantly sees the universal religion also as a concept. He is
looking less for an abstract idea and more at the concrete reality. He
lessens the variety Of religions and instead remarks on their
longevity and vitality. He says they are spreading and multiplying. To
questions like are all religions really contradictory? Are the souls
of religions contradictory? His reply is that they are not
contradictory, but are supplementary. Each religion takes up one part
of the great universal truth and embodies and typifies it. The sum
total is addition and not exclusion.

Which religion has taken which part of the universal truth?
Vivekananda characterizes each religion He identifies the particular
excellence of Islam with egalitarianism, of Hinduism with spirituality
and of Christianity with social service with trying to prepare
themselves for the coming of the Lord by trying to help others. And as
all these religions are different forces in the economy of God,
therefore there can be no question of destroying any one of them.
There should be mutual acceptance. Acceptance is not only toleration.
I accept all religions that were in the past and worship with them all
in whatever form they worship Him. I shall go to the mosque of the
Mohammedan, I shall enter the Christian's church and kneel before the
crucifix; I shall enter the Buddhist temple where I shall take refuge
in Buddha and in his law and I shall go into the forest and sit down
in meditation with the Hindu who is trying to see the Light which
enlightens the heart of every one.

The ideas that Vivekananda enunciated are simple but he expressed
them in such a way that they caught the imagination of both Indians
and WeSterners. Hinduism was the only one f th great rellgions
profound enough to recognize the fact that all religions are true. The
insight of Hinduism meant that India had a spiritual secret that
sharpened the contrast between her and the materialistic West. The
West must learn to drink from the fountain of Indian spirituality.
This idea helped India surpass the West and also played an important
part in giving Indians a sense of worth and value of their Hindu
tradition.

Vlvekananda throws in the suggestion that Hinduism was more
universalistic because it was built on universal foundations. But he
did not in any way propose Hinduism itself as the universal religion
He felt that for one religion to become unlversal would be dangerous
and degenerating to man Vivekananda tries to establish the link
between the universal religion and the Vedas The authority of Vedas
extends to all ages, climes and persons. The Vedas are the only
exponent of the universal religion. He prefers Vedanta philosophy even
to the Vedas themselves. It is only the Jnana Kanda or the Vedanta
that has for all time commanded recognition for leading men across
Maya and bestowing salvation on them. As the validity and authority of
Hinduism remain unaffected by any limitations of time, place or
person, it is the only exponent of the universal and eternal religion
for all mankind.

At other times he is prepared to declare that doing good to others
is the one great universal religion. But it does represent a point of
transiti to the relationship of universal religion with the West. His
accent on service is often held to be the result of the Christian
example and influence. Vivekananda points out that India possesses a
religion which has saved India twice from materialism Advaita Vedaanta
first through the Buddha and then again through Sankara. Advaita
Vedanta is also happily based on reason. The first principle of
reasoning is that th particular is explained by the general until we
come from inside. Thus Vivekananda could declare that salvation of
Europe depends on a rationalistic religion and that such a religion
exists. It is the Advaita of India.

Romain Rolland seems to, describe Vivekananda's position as standing
for a Universal science of religion. His religion accepts science It
is vast enough to find a place at its table for all loyal seekers
after Truth.

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* Chandan Bandopadhyay: cba...@lynx.neu.edu *
* Northeastern University, College of Computer Science, Boston MA *
* *