How Did the Americans Re-internalize American Sensibilities in Swami Vivekananda’s Speech at World Parliament of Religion, Chicago?

Abstract

This paper explores how Swami Vivekananda’s speeches at the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago (1893) resonated with and re-internalized American sensibilities such as democracy, pluralism, and the American Dream. While grounded in Hindu philosophy, Vivekananda’s emphasis on universal tolerance, interfaith harmony, and the equality of all souls transcended sectarian boundaries and aligned with America’s evolving democratic ethos. His critique of sectarianism, bigotry, and social inequality paralleled American struggles for inclusivity, while his acknowledgment of women Rishis and his call for service to the impoverished echoed democratic principles of equality and responsibility. By situating Hindu ideals within a universal framework, Vivekananda’s discourse not only secured immediate acceptance in the American cultural imagination but also reinforced the nation’s democratic vision as a global, humanist experiment.