I think most people, when they see the swastika, automatically link it to Nazism. I am an Asian, and have no direct experience with Nazism in Europe, though I very much feel for all those that suffered. What I would like to clarify is that in Asian religious/philosophical context, the swastica used is NOT the same as the one used by the Nazis, specifically the Asian swastika is a clockwise one, as opposed to the anti-clockwise rotation used by the Nazis. They are different symbols altogether, and they mean different things altogether. One of the meaning of the Buddhist swastika is the 'Wheel of Life'. In fact, early Buddist do not have an image of the Buddha, as he was protray exclusively in symbols, with a footprint or the wheel being most common. Only much later, in Bamiyan, did the earliet image of Buddha in human form appeared, and was rapidly adopted accross most Buddhist regions.
i don't know what the original symbols in this Polish church means. But I am certain it is not the same one Buddhist used.
But this is a very nice picture. Thanks for sharing it.
Symbols have changed the meaning (please read the first comment)
in Architecture
Posted
I think most people, when they see the swastika, automatically link it to Nazism. I am an Asian, and have no direct experience with Nazism in Europe, though I very much feel for all those that suffered. What I would like to clarify is that in Asian religious/philosophical context, the swastica used is NOT the same as the one used by the Nazis, specifically the Asian swastika is a clockwise one, as opposed to the anti-clockwise rotation used by the Nazis. They are different symbols altogether, and they mean different things altogether. One of the meaning of the Buddhist swastika is the 'Wheel of Life'. In fact, early Buddist do not have an image of the Buddha, as he was protray exclusively in symbols, with a footprint or the wheel being most common. Only much later, in Bamiyan, did the earliet image of Buddha in human form appeared, and was rapidly adopted accross most Buddhist regions.
i don't know what the original symbols in this Polish church means. But I am certain it is not the same one Buddhist used.
But this is a very nice picture. Thanks for sharing it.