August 29

A parade celebrating the birthday of meditation teacher Sri Chinmoy heads up Parsons Boulevard yesterday. It is seen here near 87th Avenue.

CHICAGO — Nothing better symbolized the ecumenical spirit of the Parliament of the World’s Religions than the silent meditation that spiritual leader Sri Chinmoy offered at the opening of the main plenary session Aug. 28.

His message of prayerful silence transcended religious dogma and became a unifying element for the nine-day conference that brought together leaders of every major religion in the world. The conference, held at Chicago’s Palmer House. was the first such interfaith gathering in 100 years.

The Indian spiritual leader came to Chicago in the spirit of his predecessor, Swami Vivekananda, who had also carried the message of universal oneness and brotherhood to the Chicago religious parliament in 1893.

On the first day of the Parliament, Sri Chinmoy led a five-minute silent meditation before several thousand Christians, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims and others.

The following morning, Aug. 29, he offered a sunrise peace concert at the main meeting hall.

Afterwards, Ananda Guruge, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the U.S. and President for Sri Lanka of the World Fellowship of Buddhists, came to the podium and presented Sri Chinmoy with a book.

He then read out his dedication to the Master: “You are one of the rarest gifts that humankind of the 21st century has. May I wish that your services could continue forever.”