A delegation of Sri Lankan and American Buddhist monks and nuns visited the historic site of the First Parliament of the World’s Religions, held in September 1893 at the Art Institute of Chicago on Michigan Avenue. The visit marked the occasion of Vesak 2569, said a press release issued by the Jambudvipa Sri Lanka Buddhist Temple, Sarnath, Varanasi, India.
It said: The Parliament, held from Sept 11 to 20, 1893, was a groundbreaking interreligious event that introduced Eastern philosophies to the Western world. It was famously attended by Anagarika Dharmapala, the founder of the Maha Bodhi Society, who represented Southern Buddhism, and Swami Vivekananda, a revered Hindu monk who powerfully introduced Vedanta and Hindu philosophy to a global audience.
The event took place in the Fullerton Hall of the Art Institute, which still preserves the original platform where both leaders delivered their now-historic addresses. Anagarika Dharmapala’s profound speech, ‘The World’s Debt to the Buddha’, brought Buddhist teachings of peace, compassion, and mindfulness to international attention. Swami Vivekananda’s address on religious tolerance and universal brotherhood is remembered as a defining moment in India’s spiritual contribution to the modern world.
On May 12, 2025, the historic venue welcomed Ven Dr. K. Siri Sumedha Thero, Chief Incumbent of Jambudvipa Sri Lanka Buddhist Temple, Sarnath, Varanasi, India, accompanied by Bhanthe K. Ghanissara and Bhanthe Dhamadassi of the Blue Lotus Temple, Chicago, along with Ven Bhikshuni P. Sudarshana of Samadhi Meditation Center, Florida.
The delegation offered prayers, chanted Buddhist sutras, and paid homage to the Buddha, as well as to the great religious pioneers of the 19th century, Anagarika Dharmapala and Swami Vivekananda. The solemn ceremony honored their contributions to global interfaith dialogue and the spread of Dharma in the West.
The modern Asian Art galleries of the Art Institute—dedicated to the cultures of India, China, Japan, and Korea—now include Buddha images and exhibits that echo the spiritual roots of the 1893 Parliament. These galleries serve as a bridge between past and present, preserving a vital chapter in the history of world religions.
The Government of Chicago continues to maintain and preserve the Fullerton Hall auditorium, recognizing its enduring significance as a beacon of interfaith understanding and spiritual legacy.
The visit concluded with prayers for world peace, universal happiness, and a reaffirmation of the timeless messages of compassion, tolerance, and unity shared at the first Parliament over 130 years ago.
