Buddha Cafe - Ch. 143 - Each Other

[DjAlexDubCheck]

Other useful pages on the subject
https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-29644591
https://www.thevintagenews.com/2016...symbol-of-luck-and-charm-all-over-the-world/2
https://thesocietypages.org/socimages/2014/05/23/symbolism-the-swastika/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_use_of_the_swastika_in_the_early_20th_century

My favourite pre-war usage

Canadian Fernie Swastikas women’s hockey team, 1922
http://www.messynessychic.com/2015/03/10/hockey-and-swastikas/

 

[beeqwop]

As a Buddhist, the only offensive part to me was minimizing a war Japan took part in as an ally to Nazis under the phase a “chaotic overseas movement.” That’s just not skillful. It’s fair to keep our religious symbols; it’s not fair to ignore the foul meanings they’ve been burdened with. Being compassionate demands more than a gloss.

 

[Bobbie]

People should understand that symbols are constructs created by man and men give meaning to symbols. For buddhists the manji will always retain its meaning of luck. For victims of the holocaust the swastika will forever bring tragic memories. The key here is to learn and respect people's culture in places they are visiting. You cant force your biased interpretations to something that has been embedded into some place's own history. Otherwise, you're not ready for this conversation.

 

[DjAlexDubCheck]

This chapter is still a great test for reading comprehension and logic

 

[DjAlexDubCheck]

@Bobbie Thank you for sharing wisdom

 

[Bobbie]

@DjAlexDubCheck hey glad to know like minded people

 

[Llevella]

Somehow swastikas are used not only in Buddhism. It's a symbol of sun and fertility in different cultures (mostly came from India, though) all over the world, including "West". It's like 10 000 years old symbol.
It's a shame that people have to toss aside traditional ornaments and symbols just because someone are too lasy to remember several meanings to it. I don't think that destroying heritage and ignoring cultural differences is the best lesson you can get from WWII events))

Japan is still kinda hypocritical with "chaotic overseas movement". They were at the nazi's side aaaand killed like 12-35 million (!!!) of Chinese people during the WWII. And never even apologised, lol.

 

[architeus]

"Chaotic movement overseas", oh Japan, some of them don't even know that they colonized my country and now this ? I agree that manji according to Buddhism is symbol of luck, but calling it chaotic movement overseas when you are their allies, bad move

 

[BasilD]

I mean I'm glad that the author even brought it up in the first place, considering it's a symbol that might be appearing a LOT in this manga, but considering Japan's history of alliance with the party that used this symbol, it's a wonder that this symbol didn't become a point of contention earlier

Jk, just looking at Japan's history education (or lack thereof) makes it clear why that is

 

[Dom1anon]

Chaotic movement?
People really can't handle proper ORDNUNG anymore.

 

[DjAlexDubCheck]

@Llevella That phrase actually refers to the controversy aboutt symbols and online outrage against manjis (non Japanese people complaining about usage) :
keyword here is recently
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-35349619

 

[_Izuru__]

A bit late to the convo but the "chaotic movement overseas" part is more of a mistranslation. In the raw, Ruri says in the second koma "混乱される海外の方向けに変えようという動きも最近あったんですが
、結局お寺の卍マークは変更されませんでした。” I'm by no means a professional, but I think the more accurate translation would be "There was talk of changing the symbols for foreigners who may become confused, but in the end, the temple's manji (卍) symbol was left unaltered." This is also referring to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics image in the background.

 

[Nessen]

The world is dying all around us but hey, at least we're not speaking German right?