Suggested Statement about the Swastika

"Nazi Did Not Invent the Swastika!”

- Swastika has been used as a peaceful symbol for over 2,000years in many parts of the world -

Publishing my book "The Buddhist Swastika and Hitler's Cross" is the first step to begin Awareness Campaign of the Swastika Symbol.  It will create a process designed to transform the understanding of the swastika symbol from its defiled western meaning to its original meaning. I hope that many people, especially in the West (America and Europe) will stop their ignorance of the swastika symbol as universal symbol of hate/evil. 

Rebbe Nachman of Breslow says, "If you believe that you can damage, then believe that you can fix. If you believe that you can harm, then believe that you can heal."  So, I want to follow the Rebbe's guidance. I hope that you may join me someday soon.

The following is the suggested statement that I would like to see at various Western museums where the swastika symbol is displayed.

Suggested Statement about the Swastika for Western Museums

The swastika symbol, or “svastika” as it is called in Sanskrit, is said by scholars to be one of the oldest sacred symbols in the world. Its use has been documented in early Christianity, Judaism, and many Eastern religions as well as Native American Indian cultures. Scholars believe its original meaning may have been to represent the sun.

The swastika has been used for more than 2,000 years in Buddhism, Jainism, and Hinduism as a sacred religious symbol of auspiciousness, luck and virtue. It is seen in temples, scrolls, statues and other ritual items used in these religions.

In many Asian cultures, the swastika is also commonly used as a decorative element in ceramics, textiles, woodwork and other items as a lucky motif.

Hitler, who had an interest in Eastern religions and the occult, misappropriated and misinterpreted the swastika symbol, which he called a “Hook-cross” or “Hakenkreuz” in German, for use in political propaganda. Likewise Hitler also misappropriated the Sanskrit word “Aryan” whose original meaning simply meant “noble” and “virtuous” in Buddhism and other Indian religions without any connotation of race or ethnicity. Taken out of their original meanings and contexts, the swastika and concept of “Aryan” served the Nazi propaganda helping to create the tragedy of World War II and the Holocaust.

Hitler’s use of the swastika was a desecration of the symbol. Since then, it has been commonly associated in the West with anti-Semitism, Hitler, Neo-Nazi supremacy groups, racism, and hate crimes, in contrast to its continued positive associations in the East.  

(from The Buddhist Swastika and Hitler's Cross, Page 148)

Peace,

TK

“Nazi Did Not Invent the Swastika!”

- Swastika has been used as a peaceful symbol for over 2,000 years in many parts of the world - 

If you want to know more, read “The Buddhist Swastika and Hitler’s Cross” by T.K. Nakagaki (2017).