Surveying spiritual symbols

This book sheds light on the ancient roots of modern-day symbols and symbolism that appear in many religions and creeds.

FORMER Malaysian ambassador to Sri Lanka Datuk Dr G.K. Ananda Kumaraseri evidently conducted a lot of research into the subject of symbols and symbolism to write this book, making it a valuable resource for scholars as well as a fascinating read for the general reader. I am sure it will intrigue, in particular, fans of thriller writer Dan Brown’s intrepid symbologist Robert Langdon, more so because Kumaraseri’s book is nonfiction.

You know that you are in for an intellectual treat when the Preface itself takes up 18 pages to paint broad brush strokes of the book’s raison d’etre. It explains briefly what are symbols and symbolism, and how they are woven into practically all aspects of life. Given their prevalence, this book is an important examination of the origins and truths of commonly revered symbols (which may well be shocking to some).

Kumaraseri begins with detailed examples of the use of symbols in the main religions, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Baha’i, Judaism and Buddhism, and how some of these symbols have their roots in antiquity.

For example, the Sumerian, Byzantine and Roman civilisations revered the moon, stars and sun, as evidenced in their symbolic marks on ancient coins. These symbols survived across aeons to reappear in latter-day religions: In Buddhism, the sun symbolises the genealogy of the Buddha, which is traced to the Surya (sun) dynasty.

Intriguingly, the symbol of the sun in Buddhism – the left-facing svastika commonly imprinted on the chest of the Buddha in the Mahayana tradition (as practised in China, Korea, Japan and Vietnam) – was surreptitiously exploited by Adolf Hitler, who corrupted the meaning and purpose of the auspicious symbol and used it as the tilted, right-facing swastika (in German) Nazi emblem.

Kumaraseri provides many more examples, and then put in the following caveat on the use of symbols:

“Outward trappings of a religion expressed by way of symbols and symbolism are in order. However, it is important to ensure that the substance of the religion is not compromised, misunderstood, or worse still, misrepresented for narrow self-serving ends. As a general maxim, a right understanding and practice of religious teachings should prevail and the correct understanding and use of symbolic forms and symbolism should be well established.”

Having laid out the historical origins and applications of symbols and symbolism, the author then describes the incomprehensible desecration of images and places of worship from ancient times to the present day by misguided, bigoted zealots.

Kumaraseri believes that urgent measures, including re-education of misguided followers, must be taken at the national and international levels to halt such deliberate destruction of religious symbols and places of worship. He bemoans the fallacy that Buddhists are perceived as idol worshippers, which could not be further from the truth – the Buddha did not claim to be God and did not teach devotees to pray to any omnipotent creator god for intervention or aid to overcome challenges or fulfil expectations.

Rather, the “thrust (of Buddhism) is distinctly on self-responsibility, self-reliance, right thoughts and right efforts, and not on a dependency or surrender to an Almighty External Being”. In this context, Kumaraseri then explains the meaning and significance of various Buddhist symbols in the hopes of dispelling the notion that Buddhists are idol worshippers.

Interestingly, the mystical lotus is accorded a whole chapter, as it is symbolic not only in Buddhism but also in Hinduism and Jainism. The lotus flower is revered in various countries where Buddha dhamma (teachings) is practised. The pink lotus symbolises the Buddha himself. Suffice to say that there are many more interesting facts about the alluring flower in this chapter.

The wheel is deemed to be one of the greatest inventions of humankind, providing a pivotal turning point in civilisation; it is therefore not surprising that its symbolism holds great significance. The “wheel of the dhamma” is a spiritual metaphor for the Buddha’s historic teaching of his first five disciples, as well as other symbolisms that Kumaraseri goes on to describe.

Next, the significance of the bodhi tree is explained. It was sitting (in the lotus position, of course!) under the bodhi tree that the sage Siddhartha attained self-enlightenment and earned the honorific “Buddha”.

The Buddha’s humility and expression of profound gratitude to the bodhi tree should serve as a reminder to safeguard Mother Nature, Kumaraseri points out.

The chapter on the stupa was an eye-opener for me – I did not realise how little I knew about its significance before I read this. A stupa is a bell-shaped structure built to enshrine the remains of a deceased person, the practice of which goes back in antiquity. In Buddhism, the stupa’s design represents steps in mental cultivation, serving as a reminder to practitioners to practise the dhamma. Interestingly, the shape of the stupa varies according to the cultural norms of different countries – in China, Korea and Japan, for instance, the stupas are multi-storied and known as pagodas.

Finally, Kumaraseri details the origin of the Buddha dhamma flag and its symbolism. We are treated to short histories of Sri Lanka (or Ceylon, as it was then called) and India, as the flag’s origins are inextricably linked to the Buddhist revivalist movement in Sri Lanka that was inspired by an upsurge of renewed interest in Buddha dhamma in India.

In 1884, a working committee (the “Colombo Committee”) was formed in Sri Lanka to design the flag and the final accepted design was published in a local daily on April 17, 1885. The flag was first hoisted on May 28 that same year, on Wesak Day.

In 1950, the World Fellowship of Buddhists adopted the flag, and thus it is now accepted as a symbol by all traditions of the Buddha dhamma.

The simplicity of the design belies its meaning, purpose and historical significance, all of which is too complex to mention here – do read the book!

One can almost feel the author’s pain and anguish at the prevailing “prejudices, biases, misinformation and disinformation” that result in wanton acts of violence against some symbols” when they could otherwise be “used with right understanding and wise application ... to steer societies along a wholesome path”.

The book’s subtitle, “Embrace Multiculturalism”, underscores Kumaraseri’s aspirations and clarion call to world leaders to practise wholeheartedly the oft-mouthed promotion of multiculturalism and interreligious understanding, and to stem the increasing threat to global peace and harmony.

This book can shed light on the various symbols of many races, religions and creeds, showing how their original and true intents were noble, and evoking hope in the human spirit for the brotherhood and sisterhood of all humankind.

To get copies of the book, e-mail the author at akumaraseri@yahoo.com.