The swastika, for thousands of years, was used by Hindu, Buddhist and Jain communities to bring good luck, safety and peace. But, less than 100 years ago, it was co-opted by the Nazis to symbolize racial purity and Aryan nationalism, and that’s still how it is widely viewed today. To understand how a religious symbol of good luck and well-being became a worldwide symbol of hate and terror, Welton will speak with the Rev. T. K. Nakagaki, a prominent Buddhist and interfaith leader, on his new book, The Buddhist Swastika and Hitler’s Cross: Rescuing a Symbol of Peace from the Forces of Hate.
Hear the full January 19, 2019 State of Belief Radio program here.