Bridging the Gap Between Civilizations: Swami Vivekananda

• Authors: Juknevičius Stanislovas
• Languages of publication: EN

Abstracts

EN

The article analyses Swami Vivekananda’s views on differences between civilisations and how they can be overcome. It focuses on the role of religion in the process of the coming together of the civilisations of the East and West. Vivekananda treats various religions as a manifestation of one universal religion and considered the morality of the individual as the main criterion of religion. Depending on the moral requirements, Vivekananda distinguishes three basic religious steps. The simplest and most common form of religion is the fulfilment of the historically-formed religious moral requirements. Individuals with a higher need for improvement can practice meditation. People at the highest stage of moral evolution perceive their lives as a constant and tireless service to others. Vivekananda’s life and creative work is the theoretical and practical basis for these fundamental claims of universal religion.

Keywords

EN

Swami Vivekananda; East and West; civilizations; universal religion; spirituality

• Publisher: Instytut Filozofii i Socjologii Polskiej Akademii Nauk; Fundacja Filozofia Na Rzecz Dialogu
• Journal: Dialogue and Universalism
• Year: 2020
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 175-186

Contributors

author

Juknevičius Stanislovas

• Department of Comparative Cultural Studies, the Lithuanian Culture Research Institute, Saltoniškių g. 58, LT–08105, Vilnius, Lithuania.