Swami Vivekananda's views on conversion - A Seminar at chennai



150th year Celebrations Committee of Swami Vivekananda' of Tamilnadu has organized a daylong seminar at 'Infosys Hall', Sri Ramakrishna Mission Matriculation School, T Nagar, Chennai at 10.00 a.m. on 31.3.2013.

Swami Vimurthananda Maharaj, RK Mutt

Shri G Rajagopalan in his inaugural speech said, “History says that there were no other religions present in our country before 3000 years.  Conversion was there before 2000 years within our culture – where Hindus are converted to Saivism, Vaishnavism, Jainism and Buddhism.  This has not disturbed the roots of our culture and the people of our country had great tolerance towards other religions.  During British rule, conversion was made compulsory, lot of temples were destroyed …
After Independence, in spite of various obstacles and after being slavery also, it is glad to note that our society has 80% Hindus. It is because of the faith in our religion and culture. Our Constitution says that we have right to religion. Conversions are made compulsory. Even after getting converted, we can see their certificates read as ‘Hindu’… 
..Clause (3) of the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) order 1950 makes it obligatory that a member of scheduled caste as listed under Article 341 of the Constitution must be a Hindu, Sikh or neo-Buddhist. This clause bars Muslim and Christian dalits from sharing the benefits of reservation policy, both at the Central and state levels….”

Swami Vimurthananda Maharaj, Editor, Sri Ramakrishna Vijayam, Ramakrishna Matt, Chennai in his special address spoke on the dangers of conversion.  He initially narrated a story on how conversion is being done. Then he quoted various quoting of leaders across the country. 
When questioned on conversion is not easy by a pastor, “We too know.  But what to do? We are compelled to do so because we have received money. So we have to harvest the soul.  Conversion is sin. True conversion is that we surrender to the Lord. It is not the conversion, it is the transformation we need” said Hyderabad Arch Bishop Arullappa.  Mahatma Gandhi as ‘Eyewash’, Dalai Lama as ‘Rubbish’, ‘The procedures of conversion seem to be that of the procedures of Pentagon in America. It does not look like the work of religion. Mother of all religious extremism is none other than conversion,’ says Bill Clinton. 
                      Sri Aravindan Neelagandan and Dr. R.Srinivasan

Shri Aravindan Neelagandan (Journalist, Thinker & Author) & Dr. R.Srinivasan (Sastra University, Thanjavur) presented his paper on 'Swami Vivekananda's views on Religious Harmony'.  Shri Aravindan Neelagandan explained in detail on views of Swami Ji as ‘Conversion is not religious harmony and how he condemned conversion’. Dr. R. Srinivasan gave a speech quoting various experiences of Swami Ji towards religious harmony.


              Prof. P.Kanagasabapathy & Shri A Krishnamachari

Prof. P Kanagasabapathy (Director, Centre of Indian Economy & Culture Studies, Coimbatore) & Shri A Krishnamachari (Editor, Panchajanyam magazine) presented their papers on 'Swami Vivekananda's views on Religious Conversion'. 

                      Prof. V Insuvai, & Sri A Ramakrishna Prasad
Prof. V Insuvai (Prof. IRT Polytechnic) & Sri A Ramakrishna Prasad (Thinker and Speaker) presented their papers on 'Swami Vivekananda's views on National Identity'

Swami Mithrananda, Acharya of Chinmaya Mission concluded the seminar on how our religion Hinduism is Universal. 



In a Special Programme conducted in the evening, Shri R B V S Manian, State Vice President VHP strongly delivered the views of Swami Vivekananda on conversion.
 
Shri S Gurumurthy called upon the Sadhus to conduct a debate on religious harmony wherein harmony can only be seen in Hinduism. 

 
Pujaysri Brahma Yogananda Swami Ji of Yoga Shanthi Gurukulam appealed to the patriots to follow the footsteps of Swami Vivekananda.

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1 Comments

  1. It was a very interesting program from start to finish. We must all engage ourselves in the task of preventing conversions. As Swami Mitrananda said in the closing session, we must spread the message of Hinduism, so that people remain as Hindus by conviction,in which case they cannot be converted.

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