Held in Chicago, the first World’s Parliament of Religions attracted religious leaders from around the globe. There were several lecturers from India, among them Virchand Gandhi, a Jain, and Swami Vivekananda, a Hindu of the Vedanta school of philosophy. The latter lectured widely throughout the United States, including at the Green Acre School, a center for comparative religious study. Vivekananda’s many wealthy and influential American friends provided funding to open Vedanta Societies across the country.