Thread by @CoHNAOfficial

🧵#BREAKING: Buddhist, Hindu and Native American spiritual leaders sign a historic proclamation affirming the difference between sacred #Swastika & Hitler's #Hakenkreuz. Full press release and event video link at understandingswastika.org/unveiling-swas… 1/n

The august gathering of leaders from multiple religions across the United States make a strong and clarion call asking the world to recognize the important distinction between Swastika and Hitler’s Hakenkreuz ("hooked cross"). #SwastikaIsNotHakenkreuz 2/n

The Swastika Proclamation, which develops a common understanding among Dharmic and Indigenous communities, now signed by 13 top American spiritual leaders and endorsed by over 30 organizations (and growing). Full proclamation text available at understandingswastika.org/proclamation/ 3/n

Some of the prominent names include - Venerable Dhammadipa Sak, Poojya Swami Sarvapriyananda, Venerable Bhikkhu Bodhi, Dr. TK Nakagaki, Poojya Swamini Svatmavidyananda, Grandmother Mona Polacca, Grandmother Patrician Anne Davis, Poojya Swami Sarveshananda and others. 4/n

Proclamation acknowledges the suffering resulting from the genocide of Jews, Roma, others & the impact of the usage of Hitler’s symbol of hate (Hakenkreuz) to dehumanize vulnerable members of society even today. 5/n

It stands in solidarity w/ the Jewish community. However, it clarifies that Hitler never called his symbol "Swastika" but called it "Hakenkreuz" (German for hooked cross) and that Swastika is a Sanskrit word and a sacred symbol of peace and well-being. 6/n
cohna.org/hakenkreuz-not…

"By wrongly associating the sacred Swastika with Hitler’s Hakenkreuz, enormous harm is being done to more than 2 billion Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, Native Americans and other Indigenous people who continue to use the symbol with reverence and respect worldwide." 7/n

Resolutions:
1) We shall use our best efforts to ensure that the world shall henceforth recognize the true meaning of the word “Swastika” as a sacred symbol, and encourage the usage of the correct name “Hakenkreuz” or “Hooked-Cross,” to refer to the anti-Semitic hate symbol; 8/n

2) We shall recognize, that in this globalized world, there is a need to provide accurate information and education regarding the larger history and usage of the Swastika, as differentiated from the Hakenkreuz; and, 9/n

3) We shall encourage all nations (in particular, those in media, education, and government) to use resources recommended by the SAC at understandingswastika.org as a comprehensive source of reference to understand the Swastika & its equivalent symbols in traditions worldwide. 10/n

In 1940, four Native American tribes signed a proclamation to renounce the use of the Swastika. 82 yrs later, Native American Elders join the Dharmic communities to jointly proclaim the sacredness and the usage of Swastika as a symbol of well-being, peace and prosperity! 11/n