Japanese Pure Land master Kiyozawa Manshi, "Skeleton of the philosophy of religion" was read in his absence. Swami Vivekananda, an Indian Hindu monk, represented Ancient Indian Religious Thought & Philosophy (Hinduism) as a delegate, introducing Hinduism at the opening session of the Parliament on 11 September. Though initially nervous, he bowed to the Goddess Saraswati mentally, then began his speech with salutation, "Sisters and brothers of America!". To these words he got a standing ovation from a crowd of thousands, which lasted for two minutes. When silence was restored he continued his address: "I thank you in the name of the most ancient order of monks in the world; I thank you in the name of the mother of religions; and I thank you in the name of millions and millions of Hindu people of all classes and sects". Christianity was represented by G. Bonet Maury who was a Protestant historian invited by Swami Vivekananda. Septimus J. Hanna read an address written by the founder of Christian Science, Mary Baker Eddy. Islam was represented by Mohammed Alexander Russell Webb, an Anglo-American convert to Islam and the former US ambassador to the Philippines. Rev. Henry Jessup addressing the World Parliament of Religions was the first to publicly discuss the Baháʼí Faith in the United States (it had previously been known in Europe). Since then Baháʼís have become active participants. Theism or the Brahmo Samaj was represented by Protap Chunder Mozoomdar. The Theosophical Society was represented by the vice-president of the society, William Quan Judge and by activist Annie Besant. Chinese religions were represented by Pung Quang Yu (). Other new religious movements of the time, such as Spiritualism, were also represented. Absent from this event were the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who were not invited, Native American religious figures, Sikhs, and other Indigenous and Earth centered religionists; these religions and spiritual traditions were not represented until the 1993 Parliament convened. 1993 Parliament In 1993, the Parliament convened at the Palmer House hotel in Chicago. Over 8,000 people from all over the world, from many diverse religions, gathered to celebrate, discuss and explore how religious traditions can work together on the critical issues which confront the world. A document, "Towards a Global Ethic: An Initial Declaration", mainly drafted by Hans Küng, set the tone for the subsequent ten days of discussion. This global ethic was endorsed by many of