September 11, 1893 Chicago

Parliament of World Religions

On September 11, 1893, a 30-year-old Indian monk, Swami Vivekananda, rose to address the Parliament of World Religions at the Art Institute of Chicago. His opening words — “Sisters and Brothers of America” — received a two-minute standing ovation from the 7,000-strong audience. He went on to deliver a series of addresses that electrified the Western world and introduced Hindu philosophy and Vedanta to a global audience.

The Parliament was organized as part of the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition. It brought together representatives of Eastern and Western religious traditions for the first time on a global stage. Vivekananda arrived with no credentials, no formal invitation, and no organization backing him, yet he became the most celebrated speaker of the event.

Historical photograph of the 1893 Parliament of World Religions, Art Institute of Chicago

The Speeches

All addresses delivered at the Parliament, September 1893

Parliament

Address at the Final Session

The World's Parliament of Religions has become an accomplished fact, and the merciful Father has helped those who laboured to bring it into existence,...

September 27, 1893 2 min read

Parliament

Buddhism, the Fulfillment of Hinduism

I am not a Buddhist, as you have heard, and yet I am. If China, or Japan, or Srilanka follow the teachings of the Great Master, India worships him as...

September 11, 1893 3 min read

Parliament

Paper on Hinduism

Three religions now stand in the world which have come down to us from time prehistoric — Hinduism, Zoroastrianism and Judaism. They have all received...

September 11, 1893 20 min read

Parliament

Religion not the Crying need of India

Christians must always be ready for good criticism, and I hardly think that you will mind if I make a little criticism. You Christians, who are so fon...

September 11, 1893 1 min read

Parliament

Response to Welcome

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....

September 11, 1893 2 min read

Parliament

Why we disagree

I will tell you a little story. You have heard the eloquent speaker who has just finished say, "Let us cease from abusing each other," and he was very...

September 11, 1893 2 min read

The Journey to Chicago

May 31, 1893

Departure from Bombay

Swami Vivekananda set sail from Bombay aboard the SS Peninsular, beginning a journey through China, Japan, and Canada. He carried no formal invitation to the Parliament and was largely unknown outside India.

July 30, 1893

Arrival in America

After months of travel through the Far East, Vivekananda arrived in Vancouver, Canada, and made his way to Chicago. He discovered that the Parliament had been postponed to September and that registration for delegates had closed.

September 11, 1893

The Parliament Opens

Vivekananda addressed the Parliament for the first time. His opening words — ‘Sisters and Brothers of America’ — were met with a thunderous standing ovation lasting over two minutes. The New York Herald reported him as ‘undoubtedly the greatest figure in the Parliament of Religions.’

September 19, 1893

Paper on Hinduism

Vivekananda delivered his comprehensive ‘Paper on Hinduism,’ a masterful exposition of Hindu philosophy covering the Vedas, the nature of the soul, karma, and the universal religion. It was the most substantial theological address of the Parliament.

September 27, 1893

The Final Address

In his closing address, Vivekananda called for an end to sectarianism, bigotry, and fanaticism. He declared the Parliament a vindication of the Gita’s teaching that all paths lead to God, and his words cemented his reputation as a bridge between Eastern and Western thought.

These speeches are available in Arabic

All Parliament speeches are available in Arabic and Chinese translation. Translations are AI-assisted with human review for accuracy and cultural sensitivity.

6 speeches translated