The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda/Volume 3/Reports in American Newspapers/Reincarnation
REINCARNATION
(Evanston Index, October 7, 1893)
At the Congregational Church, during the past week, there have been given a
course of lectures which in nature much resembled the Religious Parliament
which has just been completed. The lecturers were Dr. Carl van Bergen of
Sweden, and Suami Vivekananda, the Hindu monk. ... Suami Vivekananda is a
representative from India to the Parliament of Religions. He has attracted a
great deal of attention on account of his unique attire in Mandarin colors,
by his magnetic presence and by his brilliant oratory and wonderful
exposition of Hindu philosophy. His stay in Chicago has been a continual
ovation. The course of lectures was arranged to cover three evenings.
[The lectures of Saturday and Tuesday evenings are listed without Comment;
then the article continues:]
On Thursday evening Oct. 5, Dr. von Bergen spoke on "Huldine Beamish, the
Founder of the King's Daughters of Sweden," and "Reincarnation" was the
subject treated by the Hindu monk. The latter was very interesting; the
views being those that are not often heard in this part of the world. The
doctrine of reincarnation of the soul, while comparatively new and little
understood in this country, is well-known in the east, being the foundation
of nearly all the religions of those people. Those that do not use it as
dogma, do not say anything against it. The main point to be decided in
regard to the doctrine is, as to whether we have had a past. We know that we
have a present and feel sure of a future. Yet how can there be a present
without a past? Modern science has proved that matter exists and continues
to exist. Creation is merely a change in appearance. We are not sprung out
of nothing. Some regard God as the common cause of everything and judge this
a sufficient reason for existence. But in everything we must consider the
phenomena; whence and from what matter springs. The same arguments that
prove there is a future prove that there is a past. It is necessary that
there should be causes other than God's will. Heredity is not able to give
sufficient cause. Some say that we are not conscious of a former existence.
Many cases have been found where there are distinct reminiscences of a past.
And here lies the germ of the theory. Because the Hindu is kind to dumb
animals many believe that we believe in the reincarnation of souls in lower
orders. They are not able to conceive of kindness to dumb animals being
other than the result of superstition. An ancient Hindu priest defines
religion as anything that lifts one up. Brutality is driven out, humanity
gives way to divinity. The theory of incarnation does not confine man to
this small earth. His soul can go to other, higher earths where he will be a
loftier being, possessing, instead of five senses, eight, and continuing in
this way he will at length approach the acme of perfection, divinity, and
will be allowed to drink deep of oblivion in the "Islands of the Blest".