Born in Calcutta on 12 January, 1863, he was a disciple of Ramakrishna Paramhans.
- In 1893, he addressed the Parliament of World's Religions in Chicago, introducing Hinduism to the western world and founded the Ramkrishna Mission in 1897.
Key Philosophical Ideas of Swami Vivekananda
- Neo-Vedanta Philosophy: He emphasised the oneness of all, asserting that each person is interconnected and equal, with no inherent superiority of one over another.
- Universalism: It transcends sectarian divides, aiming to foster a sense of unity.
- Knowledge: He held knowledge to be the primary goal of humanity and held pleasure as impermanent while knowledge as enduring.
- Religion: He asserts that a religion's true worth lies in its ability to uplift humanity in all circumstances.
- Education: Swami Vivekananda advocated for a holistic approach to education that addresses physical, mental, and spiritual dimensions of an individual.
Relevance of his ideas in present times
- Inclusivity and Universal Brotherhood: In globalized world, his ideas foster a sense of empathy and understanding among persons with diverse backgrounds.
- Societal transformation: His message broke through shackles of caste and creed.
- Emotional Intelligence: Integrating mindfulness practices and emotional intelligence can enhance a person’s well-being and ability to manage emotions effectively.
- Peaceful Coexistence: He called the Western world to blend India’s spiritual advances into ideas of modernity and advised Indians to pursue modernisation while cutting through social hierarchies and meaningless rituals.
