The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda/Volume 5/Epistles - First Series/XXVI Dharmapala
XXVI
U. S. A.,
1894.
Dear Dharmapala,
I have forgotten your address in Calcutta; so I direct this to the Math. I
heard about your speeches in Calcutta and how wonderful was the effect
produced by them. A certain retired missionary here wrote me a letter
addressing me as brother and then hastily went to publish my short answer
and make a show. But you know what people here think of such gentlemen.
Moreover, the same missionary went privately to some of my friends to ask
them not to befriend me. Of course he met with universal contempt. I am
quite astonished at this man's behaviour — a preacher of religion to take to
such underhand dealings! Unfortunately too much of that in every country and
in every religion. Last winter I travelled a good deal in this country
although the weather was very severe. I thought it would be dreadful, but I
did not find it so after all. You remember Col. Neggenson, President of the
Free Religious Society. He makes very kind inquiries about you. I met Dr.
Carpenter of Oxford (England) the other day. He delivered an address on the
ethics of Buddhism at Plymouth. It was very sympathetic and scholarly. He
made inquiries about you and your paper. Hope, your noble work will succeed.
You are a worthy servant of Him who came Bahujana Hitâya Bahujana Sukhâya
(for the good of the many, for the happiness of the many).
. . . The Christianity that is preached in India is quite different from
what one sees here; you will be astonished to hear, Dharmapala, that I have
friends in this country amongst the clergy of the Episcopal and even
Presbyterian churches, who are as broad, as liberal, and as sincere as you
are in your own religion. The real spiritual man is broad everywhere. His
love forces him to be so. Those to whom religion is a trade are forced to
become narrow and mischievous by their introduction into religion of the
competitive, fighting, and selfish methods of the world.
Yours ever in brotherly love,
Vivekananda.