Vivekananda's Wrong Interpretation on Buddhism
-Amitananda Bhikkhu, Buddhist Researcher,International Buddhist College, Thailand.
Introduction
Swami Vivekananda (1863—1902) was an Indian Hindu monk and chief disciple of the 19th-century saint Ramakrishna Mission. One of the most influential activities is introducing the Hinduism to the western world newly and briefly, especially Vedanta and Yoga. He was the effective philosophers and social reformers in the contemporary Indian society.
Vivekananda was Born into an aristocratic Bengali family of Calcutta, He was the disciple of Ramakrishna, a influential master of the contemporary Hindu society and well known in Vedanta, from whom Vivekananda learned that all living beings were an embodiment of the divine self, That is why his focused on the loving kindness to the beings also, which has similarity with Buddhism. From Ramkrishna, Vivekananda learned how to serve and make please the God by worshipping. After Death of his master Ramkrishna, he travelled out of India, in order to convert people into Hinduism and spread the knowledge of Vedanta.
After studying the Buddhist Philosophy, Vivekananda was impressed in Buddhism, Specially the aspect the theory of the suffering; uttered by the Buddha, caste system and loving kindness. His international and well known speech on Buddhism was in September 1893, USA. With the view point of the Buddhism, there was error to introducing the Buddha by the Vivekananda in that speech because he always keeps closer the Buddha as the part of Hinduism. Anyhow, Vivekananda used to praise the Buddha for his doctrine and establishment of the new movement in India.
Brief Biography of Swami Vivekananda
Before practicing asceticism, Swami Vivekananda used to known as Narendra Nath Datta. He was born in a aristocratic family of Kolkata, India on 12 January, 1863. His father’s name is viswanath Datta and mother’s name is Bhuvaneshwari Datta. He was excelled in study, music, gymnastic. He was graduated from the Calcutta University with a vast knowledge of Western Philosophy. Moreover he was efficient in yoga, meditation and knowledge in relation with Brahmanism.[1]
In 1881 Narendra first met Swami Ramakrishna at Dakkhineswar by the suggestion of Prof. William Hastie. In late 1881, he again went to Dakkhineswar to see Ramakrishna. This going was influenced him to impress in the personality of Ramakrishna. Ramakrishna was the worshipper of Kali. After death of Narenda’s father, his family faced serious problems such as dept, bankrupt, eviction by the relatives. In this situation he found solace in Ramakrishna. From that time Narendra became loyal to Ramakrishna and learned from him how to devote oneself to the God. In order to devotion to God, he left the worldly life and became an ascetic. In 1886, Ramakrishna was died from throat cancer. After his death, people stopped to serve Narendra and his disciples. Some disciples could not endure this starvation. So some of them left asceticism and went back to household life.[2] Vivekananda converted a dilapidated house into a Math or Monastery in Baranagar. Over there they formed new monastic brotherhood mission and Narendra became Swami Vivekananda. In 1888, Vivekananda left the monastery as the wanderer with two books Bhagavatgita and the Imitation of Christ. He travelled throughout the India for 5 years. During his travelling, he attended to poor and patient people and met with various people. He never discriminated people in sequence of higher and lower. He went to Chicago on 31 May, 1893 in order to attend at the Parliament of Religions. His speeches at the World’s Parliament of Religions held in September 1893 made him famous as an ‘orator by divine right’ and as a ‘Messenger of Indian wisdom to the Western world’. Almost three and half years he spread Vedanta there. Then in 1897 he back to India. After returning Kolkata, on May 1, 1897, he established the Ramakrishna Mission, from where priests and people together can propagate the Vedanta and participate in various social services such as Education, Hospitality, attendance to poor and ill etc. In early 1898, he got a plot near the ganges river bank. He established there the Belur Math.
There were many disciples of Vivekananda, but the closers are Margaret Noble (later known as Sister Nivedita), Captain and Mrs Sevier, Josephine McLeod and Sara Ole Bull. All of them were adopted the Indian Culture and practices lead by Vivekananda.
In June 1899, he went again in USA and delivered many lectures. After returning in Belur Math, he also in India gave sermons and did social works. Because of the too much hard working, he became sick and on 4 July, 1902 at 9.00 pm he died.[3]
Vivekananda and Buddhism
In Chicago on 26 September 1893, Swami Vivekananda delivered a lecture on Buddhism by the name of “Buddhism, the Fulfillment of Hinduism”. It was an assembly of “Parliament of World Religion”. In that lecture he praised the Buddha and his doctrine according to his idea. He said, Buddha is the one who seek the truth for others in order to cease the suffering of people. Buddhism is the religion which is never endowed with the God. Buddha also rejected Veda, because it teaches violence. But according to Vivekananda, Buddha has no authority to reject the Veda. About the achievement of Buddhahood, Vivekananda gave the affirmative answer that it is a kind of gain. Buddha never worshiped anything and his religion was beyond the casts and discriminations. Even he rejected the cast system, but Buddha was within the Hinduism. He was the cultivator of Loving Kindness. He always asked people to destroy delusion. Vivekananda said, Buddha is also one of the Vedanists and Shankara is the hidden Buddhist. Buddha is the reformer of Hinduism. Buddha is the brave and sincere teacher. He said to his disciples that, “Believe no book; the Vedas are all humbug. If they agree with me, so much the better for the books. I am the greatest book; sacrifice and prayer are useless.” Buddha gave the equal right to the women in the society. Sakya Muni did not believe in God, but according to the Vivekananda, he is the God himself.[4]
The 2nd lecture Delivered at the Shakespeare Club, Pasadena, California on February 2, 1900. There Vivekananda Said, Buddha is the great prophet and incarnation of God. Non killing and charity was existed before the born of the Buddha. But Buddha newly introduced it by breaking down the cast system. It is unquestionable that Buddha is the great teacher, but he said he does not believe his many teaching. His believe is always in Veda. But he liked his method of work. During his last age, after taking the meal from the Cunda who is from the lowest class, Buddha has shown his non discrimination. Buddha denied the permanent entity inside the men. But the Hindus believe so which is permanent and unchangeable. According to Buddha denied the selfishness.[5]
Contradiction with Vivekananda’s deliberation on Buddhism
My 1st contradiction is Vivekananda said that Buddha rejected Veda because it teaches violence. It is true that Buddha rejected Veda. But not only for having violence or sacrifice in Veda, but also Buddha denied cast system, soul theory and contradiction with Buddhist Kamma theory and Hindu Kamma theory. In the Kacchayana Gotta Sutta Buddha rejected the Soul Theory. Buddha Said there- “Everything exists: That is one extreme. Everything doesn't exist: That is a second extreme. Avoiding these two extremes, the Tathagata teaches the Dhamma via the middle.” –Samyutta Nikaya 12.15, Kaccayana Gotta Sutta.[6]
2nd contradiction is with Vivekananda’s idea on Shankaracariya and Buddhist. He said the Advaita Vedanta tradition Shankaracariya is the hidden Buddhist. But we cannot see any Buddhist nature from that tradition, such as, they believe in cast system, they believe in soul theory and their kamma explanation and Buddhist Kamma explanation are totally different.
Vivekananda mentioned Buddha said “Believe no book; the Vedas are all humbug. If they agree with me, so much the better for the books. I am the greatest book; sacrifice and prayer are useless.” I think Vivekananda’s own opinion on the Buddha. Buddha never claimed he is the greatest book. As the reference we can see the Kalama Sutta. In the Kalama Sutta Buddha said- “Now, Kalamas, don't go by reports, by legends, by traditions, by scripture, by logical conjecture, by inference, by analogies, by agreement through pondering views, by probability, or by the thought, 'This contemplative is our teacher.' When you know for yourselves that, 'These qualities are skillful; these qualities are blameless; these qualities are praised by the wise; these qualities, when adopted & carried out, lead to welfare & to happiness, then you should enter & remain in them.”- Kalama Sutta, Anguttara Nikaya 3.65.[7]
Vivekananda said Buddha is the God himself. But Buddha always claimed as the human being and if we look the Samyutta Nikayas Vaccagotta Sutta, Buddha was silent on the existent of the God. Because such kinds of explanations are useless and endless. One day wanderer Vaccagotta said to Buddha- "Does the Tathagata exist after death?” “Does the Tathagata not exist after death?” “"Does the Tathagata both exist and not exist after death?” “Does the Tathagata neither exist nor not exist after death?”
“Vaccha that too has not been declared by me: The Tathagata neither exists nor does not exist after death.” That means Buddha never believed in God. ?”- Vaccagotta Sutta, Samyutta Nikaya, 44.8.[8]
Vivekananda said Buddha is the Prophet (Messenger of God) and Incarnation of God (Avatara). But the Buddha was the absolute human and found truth without any association of God.
Vivekananda said non killing already existed in India before the Buddha. But he just newly introduced. If the non killing already exist in India, then why Buddha had to preach the doctrine against the sacrifice.
Conclusion
Indubitably Vivekananda is the prominent religious figure. As the leader of Brahmanism he never supported the killing by the name of sacrifice. His personality is admirable. After death of his master Ramakrishna, he was able to lead his followers and subsequently famous and venerated one. He is the reformer of the Brahmanism. He is the one who introduced Hinduism in the western culture with new cover and flavor. Vivekananda is also fond of Buddhism. According to him, Buddhism is the new movement which is full of peace and harmony. But its root is in Hinduism.
Vivekananda’s opinions on Buddhism are right and perfect from view point of Hindu scholars. But from the view point if Buddhism, his all the statements on Buddhism are not right. Anyhow he just expressed his opinion; there was no any aggressive argument.
Bibliography
Primary Sources:
Swami Vivekananda (1863—1902) was an Indian Hindu monk and chief disciple of the 19th-century saint Ramakrishna Mission. One of the most influential activities is introducing the Hinduism to the western world newly and briefly, especially Vedanta and Yoga. He was the effective philosophers and social reformers in the contemporary Indian society.
Vivekananda was Born into an aristocratic Bengali family of Calcutta, He was the disciple of Ramakrishna, a influential master of the contemporary Hindu society and well known in Vedanta, from whom Vivekananda learned that all living beings were an embodiment of the divine self, That is why his focused on the loving kindness to the beings also, which has similarity with Buddhism. From Ramkrishna, Vivekananda learned how to serve and make please the God by worshipping. After Death of his master Ramkrishna, he travelled out of India, in order to convert people into Hinduism and spread the knowledge of Vedanta.
After studying the Buddhist Philosophy, Vivekananda was impressed in Buddhism, Specially the aspect the theory of the suffering; uttered by the Buddha, caste system and loving kindness. His international and well known speech on Buddhism was in September 1893, USA. With the view point of the Buddhism, there was error to introducing the Buddha by the Vivekananda in that speech because he always keeps closer the Buddha as the part of Hinduism. Anyhow, Vivekananda used to praise the Buddha for his doctrine and establishment of the new movement in India.
Brief Biography of Swami Vivekananda
Before practicing asceticism, Swami Vivekananda used to known as Narendra Nath Datta. He was born in a aristocratic family of Kolkata, India on 12 January, 1863. His father’s name is viswanath Datta and mother’s name is Bhuvaneshwari Datta. He was excelled in study, music, gymnastic. He was graduated from the Calcutta University with a vast knowledge of Western Philosophy. Moreover he was efficient in yoga, meditation and knowledge in relation with Brahmanism.[1]
In 1881 Narendra first met Swami Ramakrishna at Dakkhineswar by the suggestion of Prof. William Hastie. In late 1881, he again went to Dakkhineswar to see Ramakrishna. This going was influenced him to impress in the personality of Ramakrishna. Ramakrishna was the worshipper of Kali. After death of Narenda’s father, his family faced serious problems such as dept, bankrupt, eviction by the relatives. In this situation he found solace in Ramakrishna. From that time Narendra became loyal to Ramakrishna and learned from him how to devote oneself to the God. In order to devotion to God, he left the worldly life and became an ascetic. In 1886, Ramakrishna was died from throat cancer. After his death, people stopped to serve Narendra and his disciples. Some disciples could not endure this starvation. So some of them left asceticism and went back to household life.[2] Vivekananda converted a dilapidated house into a Math or Monastery in Baranagar. Over there they formed new monastic brotherhood mission and Narendra became Swami Vivekananda. In 1888, Vivekananda left the monastery as the wanderer with two books Bhagavatgita and the Imitation of Christ. He travelled throughout the India for 5 years. During his travelling, he attended to poor and patient people and met with various people. He never discriminated people in sequence of higher and lower. He went to Chicago on 31 May, 1893 in order to attend at the Parliament of Religions. His speeches at the World’s Parliament of Religions held in September 1893 made him famous as an ‘orator by divine right’ and as a ‘Messenger of Indian wisdom to the Western world’. Almost three and half years he spread Vedanta there. Then in 1897 he back to India. After returning Kolkata, on May 1, 1897, he established the Ramakrishna Mission, from where priests and people together can propagate the Vedanta and participate in various social services such as Education, Hospitality, attendance to poor and ill etc. In early 1898, he got a plot near the ganges river bank. He established there the Belur Math.
There were many disciples of Vivekananda, but the closers are Margaret Noble (later known as Sister Nivedita), Captain and Mrs Sevier, Josephine McLeod and Sara Ole Bull. All of them were adopted the Indian Culture and practices lead by Vivekananda.
In June 1899, he went again in USA and delivered many lectures. After returning in Belur Math, he also in India gave sermons and did social works. Because of the too much hard working, he became sick and on 4 July, 1902 at 9.00 pm he died.[3]
Vivekananda and Buddhism
In Chicago on 26 September 1893, Swami Vivekananda delivered a lecture on Buddhism by the name of “Buddhism, the Fulfillment of Hinduism”. It was an assembly of “Parliament of World Religion”. In that lecture he praised the Buddha and his doctrine according to his idea. He said, Buddha is the one who seek the truth for others in order to cease the suffering of people. Buddhism is the religion which is never endowed with the God. Buddha also rejected Veda, because it teaches violence. But according to Vivekananda, Buddha has no authority to reject the Veda. About the achievement of Buddhahood, Vivekananda gave the affirmative answer that it is a kind of gain. Buddha never worshiped anything and his religion was beyond the casts and discriminations. Even he rejected the cast system, but Buddha was within the Hinduism. He was the cultivator of Loving Kindness. He always asked people to destroy delusion. Vivekananda said, Buddha is also one of the Vedanists and Shankara is the hidden Buddhist. Buddha is the reformer of Hinduism. Buddha is the brave and sincere teacher. He said to his disciples that, “Believe no book; the Vedas are all humbug. If they agree with me, so much the better for the books. I am the greatest book; sacrifice and prayer are useless.” Buddha gave the equal right to the women in the society. Sakya Muni did not believe in God, but according to the Vivekananda, he is the God himself.[4]
The 2nd lecture Delivered at the Shakespeare Club, Pasadena, California on February 2, 1900. There Vivekananda Said, Buddha is the great prophet and incarnation of God. Non killing and charity was existed before the born of the Buddha. But Buddha newly introduced it by breaking down the cast system. It is unquestionable that Buddha is the great teacher, but he said he does not believe his many teaching. His believe is always in Veda. But he liked his method of work. During his last age, after taking the meal from the Cunda who is from the lowest class, Buddha has shown his non discrimination. Buddha denied the permanent entity inside the men. But the Hindus believe so which is permanent and unchangeable. According to Buddha denied the selfishness.[5]
Contradiction with Vivekananda’s deliberation on Buddhism
My 1st contradiction is Vivekananda said that Buddha rejected Veda because it teaches violence. It is true that Buddha rejected Veda. But not only for having violence or sacrifice in Veda, but also Buddha denied cast system, soul theory and contradiction with Buddhist Kamma theory and Hindu Kamma theory. In the Kacchayana Gotta Sutta Buddha rejected the Soul Theory. Buddha Said there- “Everything exists: That is one extreme. Everything doesn't exist: That is a second extreme. Avoiding these two extremes, the Tathagata teaches the Dhamma via the middle.” –Samyutta Nikaya 12.15, Kaccayana Gotta Sutta.[6]
2nd contradiction is with Vivekananda’s idea on Shankaracariya and Buddhist. He said the Advaita Vedanta tradition Shankaracariya is the hidden Buddhist. But we cannot see any Buddhist nature from that tradition, such as, they believe in cast system, they believe in soul theory and their kamma explanation and Buddhist Kamma explanation are totally different.
Vivekananda mentioned Buddha said “Believe no book; the Vedas are all humbug. If they agree with me, so much the better for the books. I am the greatest book; sacrifice and prayer are useless.” I think Vivekananda’s own opinion on the Buddha. Buddha never claimed he is the greatest book. As the reference we can see the Kalama Sutta. In the Kalama Sutta Buddha said- “Now, Kalamas, don't go by reports, by legends, by traditions, by scripture, by logical conjecture, by inference, by analogies, by agreement through pondering views, by probability, or by the thought, 'This contemplative is our teacher.' When you know for yourselves that, 'These qualities are skillful; these qualities are blameless; these qualities are praised by the wise; these qualities, when adopted & carried out, lead to welfare & to happiness, then you should enter & remain in them.”- Kalama Sutta, Anguttara Nikaya 3.65.[7]
Vivekananda said Buddha is the God himself. But Buddha always claimed as the human being and if we look the Samyutta Nikayas Vaccagotta Sutta, Buddha was silent on the existent of the God. Because such kinds of explanations are useless and endless. One day wanderer Vaccagotta said to Buddha- "Does the Tathagata exist after death?” “Does the Tathagata not exist after death?” “"Does the Tathagata both exist and not exist after death?” “Does the Tathagata neither exist nor not exist after death?”
“Vaccha that too has not been declared by me: The Tathagata neither exists nor does not exist after death.” That means Buddha never believed in God. ?”- Vaccagotta Sutta, Samyutta Nikaya, 44.8.[8]
Vivekananda said Buddha is the Prophet (Messenger of God) and Incarnation of God (Avatara). But the Buddha was the absolute human and found truth without any association of God.
Vivekananda said non killing already existed in India before the Buddha. But he just newly introduced. If the non killing already exist in India, then why Buddha had to preach the doctrine against the sacrifice.
Conclusion
Indubitably Vivekananda is the prominent religious figure. As the leader of Brahmanism he never supported the killing by the name of sacrifice. His personality is admirable. After death of his master Ramakrishna, he was able to lead his followers and subsequently famous and venerated one. He is the reformer of the Brahmanism. He is the one who introduced Hinduism in the western culture with new cover and flavor. Vivekananda is also fond of Buddhism. According to him, Buddhism is the new movement which is full of peace and harmony. But its root is in Hinduism.
Vivekananda’s opinions on Buddhism are right and perfect from view point of Hindu scholars. But from the view point if Buddhism, his all the statements on Buddhism are not right. Anyhow he just expressed his opinion; there was no any aggressive argument.
Bibliography
Primary Sources:
- http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/an/an03/an03.065.than.html
- http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/sn/sn12/sn12.015.than.html
- http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/sn/sn44/sn44.008.than.html
- Secondary Sources:
- http://www.swamivivekanandaquotes.org/2013/04/swami-vivekananda-quotes-on-gautama.html
- http://www.arunachala-ramana.org/forum/index.php?topic=5608.0
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swami_Vivekananda
- http://www.belurmath.org/swamivivekananda.htm
- [1] Swami Vivekananda, “Swami Vivekananda: Life and Teaching”, <http://www.belurmath.org/swamivivekananda.htm> (Accessed October 21, 2015)
- [2] Wikipedia, “Swami Vivekananda” <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swami_Vivekananda> (Accessed October 21,2015)
- [3] Swami Vivekananda, “Swami Vivekananda: Life and Teaching”, <http://www.belurmath.org/swamivivekananda.htm> (Accessed October 23, 2015)
- [4] Swami Vivekananda’s Quotes, “Swami Vivekananda on Gautama Buddha”, <http://www.swamivivekanandaquotes.org/2013/04/swami-vivekananda-quotes-on-gautama.html> (Accessed October 28,2015)
- [5] Maharshi, Ramana, “Swami Vivekananda about Buddhism”, <http://www.arunachala-ramana.org/forum/index.php?topic=5608.0> (Accessed October 29,2015)
- [6] Bhikkhu, Thanissaro, “Kacayana Gotta Sutta”, <http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/sn/sn12/sn12.015.than.html> (Accessed Nov 3, 2015)
- [7] Bhikkhu, Thanissaro, “Kalama Sutta”, < http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/an/an03/an03.065.than.html> (Accessed Nov 3, 2015)
- [8] Bhikkhu, Thanissaro, “Vaccagotta Sutta”, <http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/sn/sn44/sn44.008.than.html> (Accessed Nov 3, 2015)