From Wednesday through Sunday. July 8 through July
12, thousands of devotees of the Hindu faith will gath-
er at the Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago in Lemont
for a celebration of the installation of the first Ameri-
can statue of Swami Narendranath Vivekananda, a Hindu
monk who first introduced Hinduism to the West in the late
19th century.
There will also be a celebration of the 12th year of the in-
stallation of the idols in the temple that overlooks Lemont and
the DesPlaines River Valley just east of Lemont Road and
south of Interstate 55.
On June 22, the Lemont Village Board congratulated the
temple and its devotees-with a special proclamation.
In a preliminary service on June 23, devotees of Vivekanan-
da witnessed the blessing of the site where the statue's foun-
dation was being prepared. Cast in Calcutta, India, the 10-
foot, 2-inch bronze statute will top what is now being called
Vivekananda Hill on the eastern edge of the temple's com-
pound, which is east of Lemont Road and north of Bluff
Road.
The Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago sits
atop a northern bluff of the DesPlaines
River Valley and is visible from the church
steeple- dotted bluffs of Lemont across the
river.
REPORTER/PROGRESS
NEWSPAPERSFILE PHOTO
Devotees joined in the chorus as the presiding monk chant-
ed ritual prayers prescribed thousands of years ago. He
blessed the site with holy water from India's Ganges River and
lit a flame representing the spirit of life.
Frank Parlato Jr., a scholar who has been researching
Vivekananda's life, said the monk led a brief though fascinat-
ing life.
Parlato said that in India, the Chicago area is seen almost as
a holy land, for it was in Chicago in 1893 that Vivekananda
was catapulted overnight from obscurity to fame.
Born on Jan. 12, 1863, Vivekananda's father was a promi-
nent Calcutta lawyer, and his mother had an aristocratic back-
ground. As a youth, Vivekananda was an excellent athlete
and student. He also showed deep meditative and soulful
qualities and was later mentored by Sri Ramakrishna on his
spiritual journey.
With the passing of his spiritual mentor. Vivekanands at
the age of 23, assumed Ramakrishna's duties, renounced the
material world and followed a life of celibacy.
Vivekananda journeyed throughout India, gaining under-
standing of its many problems, seeing how its people were
suffering and acquiring insight for regeneration.
Again, according to Parlato. after many years of domination
by both Eastern and Western conquerors, Indians wondered if
Hinduism was a valid religion. Western missionaries were
sent to convert its people. Vivekananda soon realized that
many untruths were being spread in the West about Indian
culture, such as women sacrificing infants.
Though not an invited delegate, Vivekananda was deter-
mined to attend the first worldwide Parliament of Religions
that was to be held in Chicago in 1893.
Upon his arrival, he had such a commanding-appearance
that it would have been difficult to deny him entrance.
In a rich deep, melodic voice. Vivekananda enthralled the
vast audience in Chicago by opening his presentation with
"Sisters and Brothers of America — We believe not only in
universal tolerance, but we accept all religions as true."
Swami Narendranath Vivekananda is credited with bring Hinduism to the West. In 1893, he came to Chicago to speak before a religious congress and enthralled the crowd with his preaching. A bronze statue to him is being dedicated at the Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago this weekend.
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE VIVEKANANDA SOCIETY
He received a standing ovation, and in subsequent speeches
he continued introducing Hinduism to America. Touring the
United States, he taught extensively, attracting numerous fol-
lowers, wrote books and was offered the chair of Eastern phi-
losophy at Harvard University, but declined.
Vivekananda received an unprecedented and triumphal re-
ception upon his return to India in 1897.
Turning away from this acclaim, Vivekananda established
the Ramakrishna Math, a monastery, and the Marakrishan
Mission, a social organization that today has more than 135
centers worldwide. His lectures and writings uplifted India's
spirit, inspiring leaders as Mahatma Gandhi, who later led In-
dians to their own statehood.
Vivekananda helped Westerners to understand the Hindu
belief in one supreme God that is called Brahama, the per-
sonification of the first person in the Trinity of Brahama,
Vishnu and Siva.
Hinduism predates recorded history. Like the ancient Greek
and Roman gods of mythology. Hinduism also has many
mythological gods, each illustrating a sublime truth, adding to
rich historical traditions. Hinduism encourages the study of
other religions, accepting Jesus Christ as God's son as well as
being a great philosopher.
"Vivekananda built bridges between ancient and contempo-
rary India and the West." Parlato said, "between spiritual
awareness and social responsibilities. The ambassador of In-
dia, the Honorable Mr. Naresh Chandra, will unveil the stat-
ue, a gift from the Vivekananda Vedanta Society of Chicago.
"Eight of the senior swamis of the Ramakrishna order will
be present at the unveiling, including Swami Atmasthananda.
who will officially dedicate the statue.
"The Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago is proud to be
home for the statue honoring Swami Vivekananda."
