The Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) and Heiwa Peace and Reconciliation Foundation of New York (Heiwa) co-sponsored a three-day event aimed at spreading awareness, encouraging dialogue, and developing a deeper understanding of the Swastika – a symbol held sacred by nearly 2 billion Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, and other communities around the world. Held during the UN World Interfaith Harmony Week, the event highlighted the need to remove various misconceptions that have incorrectly deemed the Swastika as a symbol of hatred in the west. Day two delved into the scriptural and religious significance of the Swastika in multiple traditions. Rev. Doyeon Park, the Buddhist Chaplain at Columbia University and New York University recited verses from the Buddhist Sutras, while Suresh Krishnamoorthy, Board Member of CoHNA and a volunteer priest at the Hindu Temple of Atlanta provided references of the usage of the Swastika in various Hindu texts and how the Sanskrit word “Swasti” conveys well-being and peace upon the world. Similarly, Naresh Jain, a Director with JAINA, shared the importance of the Swastika for Jains – from symbolizing one of their most important spiritual leaders to the four states of existence and the four characteristics of the higher Self. Subsequently, Dr. Nakagaki delved deep into the linguistics of the Swastika and the “Hakenkreuz,” or the “Hooked Cross,” a German word used by Hitler and the Nazis for their emblem of hatred and intolerance. He illustrated how Hitler never used the word Swastika nor was he inspired by any of the Eastern traditions to create the Hakenkreuz. Along with the misconceptions around the word “Aryan” (a Sanskrit word which means “noble”), the Swastika has been wrongfully associated with Hitler and Nazi Germany.