We are pleased to invite you to The Message of Swami Vivekananda, an interfaith reading group at the Education, Philosophy, and Religion Department at the Free Library of Philadelphia. The virtual program commemorates the 130th anniversary of Swamiji’s journey to the U.S., where he established the practice of Vedanta and imparted the teachings of his guru, Sri Ramakrishna, at the turn of the twentieth century. Swamiji’s teachings touched the heart of American society, influencing and inspiring a host of Western admirers and disciples, including John Henry Wright, Sarah Chapman Bull, Emma Calvé, John D. Rockefeller, Nikola Tesla, Henry Miller, J.D. Salinger, William James, W.E.B. Du Bois, and others. 2023 also marks the 130th anniversary of the Parliament of World Religions, where Vivekananda spoke. This public reading group invites you to reflect on his teachings and their transformative impact on American thought and life. Our hope is to rigorously explore Vivekananda’s transmission of Hinduism to the West, while encouraging interfaith unity, peaceful relations, and civic dialogue. The group will be guided by Dr. Deven Patel, Associate Professor of Sanskrit, South Asia Studies, and facilitated by Dr. Divya Nair. It will meet Tuesdays, from 6pm to 7pm from February 28-April 18 via Zoom. Registration is required for participation. No prior knowledge of Hinduism or Swami Vivekananda is necessary. All are welcome and the program is free.