International Journal of Social Science Research (IJSSR)

Universal Religion of Swami Vivekananda: A Vision of Unity and Brotherhood

One of the greatest thinkers of modern Indian philosophy was Swami Vivekananda. His philosophical perspective was rooted in the social, religious and economic context of Indian society. Ancient Hindu philosophy, especially the Vedanta theory, significantly influenced him. This theory argues that reality is unified and that everything is fundamentally connected. Religion is a key aspect of Vivekananda’s philosophy. He views it as essential for human life. However, he does not refer to any of the so-called traditional religions in our world. Instead, he introduces the idea of a universal religion that contains no contradictions found in existing religions. Vivekananda believes that universal religion already exists, but our external conflicts prevent us from recognizing it. Through his concept of universal religion, Vivekananda promotes unity and brotherhood among people. His emphasis on universal religion highlights the realization of oneness and recognizes different ways individuals approach unique religious beliefs. This concept can only succeed if we learn to respect all religious beliefs and treat them as equally valid and true, just like our own.