For a long time, I have wondered what exactly the "Five Pointed Circle" means. In most ZhoonDa meetings that I attend, ZhoonDa leaders talk fiercely about things like the relevance of the "Five Pointed Circle" in the current ZhoonDa world. Some blame this circle for the bitter rivalry between the ZhoonDas and the ZhoonDhas. Some say that this "Five Pointed Circle" has protected the ZhoonDa Dharma from many hazardous developments. But none could ever explain me what it symbolizes.
In my recent expedition that involved meeting many acclaimed ZhoonDa and ZhoonDha scholars, I was enriched with many opinions and theories on this "Five Pointed Circle". Due to the fundamental obscurity and the abstract nature of the ZhoonDa Dharma, facts and myth have intermingled in an inseparable way. None can tell you something that can be treated as fact. But at the same time, since ZhoonDa Dharma is open to interpretation, ZhoonDas can create facts out of the void.
Here I intend to present the different opinions of the great ZhoonDa scholars.
The origin of the "Five Pointed Circle" is as obscure as that of the ZhoonDa Dharma itself. Even though nobody can date its birth, the approximations indicate the medieval times. Scripture of the pre-medieval times have no mention of this circle. The first ever reference to the "Five Point Circle" can be seen in the carvings of the Mumpa Caves. As you know, the Mumpa Caves are the holiest place for the ZhoonDhas though the ZhoonDas never have any worship place. Here in the depths of the caves one can clearly see the first emblem of this circle along with some letters written in an yet to be deciphered language.
"Five Pointed Circle" is certainly a recent development compared to the major events that marked the growth of the ZhoonDa Dharma. The First Assembly (approximated to have been held in the BCs), descriptions of which are depicted vividly in the scriptures, didn't have any discussions on this circle. Neither did the Second Assembly (famously known as the 220th, as it was held 220 years after the First Assembly). But the Third Assembly, which took place nearly 400 years after the Second Assembly, has documented the "Five Point Circle" in some details. So we can conclude that the Circle was created somewhere between the Second and the Third Assembly. We can also assume that the rivalry between the ZhoonDas and the ZhoonDhas started some where in this period and led to such a long delay between the Second Assembly and the Third Assembly.
Introduction of the Circle is certainly one of the most important changes that took place in the ZhoonDa Dharma. It indicates a clear diversion in the path of the Dharma that never had any particular God, no concept of worship and no symbols of course. It later led to the bitter split of the ZhoonDa Dharma into the ZhoonDas and the ZhoonDhas. It has been the source of all tension and it has certainly contributed to the diminishing of ZhoonDa reputation. What led to such a development?
One theory put forward by the renowned ZhoonDa scholar Musaluddeen seems logical and even the ZhoonDa historian Dravid Ibrahim supports this theory. According to this theory, as the human race started splitting itself into the organized religions, ZhoonDas started spreading into the newly formed religions. In a never documented Interim Assembly that took place just after the Second Assembly some ZhoonDa specialists, who had studied the other religions well, put forward the reason for the ZhoonDas departing from ZhoonDa Dharma. The reason was quiet simple. ZhoonDa Dharma, at that time, didn't have any tagline. Neither it had any symbol and not even a God to name. It was agreed by most members of the Assembly. But as most were opposed to the idea of a Named God or a fashionable tagline, it was decided that a symbol that suits the fundamental aspects of ZhoonDa Dharma be designed. After many proposals the "Five Point Circle", which symbolizes the five fundamental aspects of the ZhoonDa Dharma, was chosen. The "Five Point Circle" is a clever design. It is and was obvious that a circle has infinite points. But it was named as the Five Point Circle to symbolize the fact that even though ZhoonDa Dharma emphasizes the Five Principles, its beyond that and any principle worth adding can be added.
Another revered ZhoonDha scholar opined that the "Five Point Circle" indicates the void and the complete at the same time. According to her, the "five" in the circle symbolizes the Five Principles of the ZhoonDa Dharma and the fifty thousand years of its existence (again a myth?). It symbolizes that since its birth, through the Five Principles, ZhoonDa Dharma has achieved everything and nothing.
I got many more theories including the one said that the "Five Point Circle" was added into ZhoonDa Dharma by the miscreant ZhoonDhas (no offense meant, ZhoonDhas).Another scholar suggested me not to waste time investigating irrational things. Many think that its time we redefine the symbol or drop it altogether.
In general, majority of the ZhoonDas think that the "Five Point Circle" is not worth continuing with. But majority of the ZhoonDhas argue that it has to continue.
I hope that the next Assembly will take a strong decision on this issue and end the dispute that has lasted sufficiently long time.
Note: If you have some theories on the origin of the Circle, please let me know. Also, please express your opinion on dropping this symbol. Your opinion will be of great value when a collective decision has to be taken in the next Assembly.
You will be given a chance to present your ideas in the Assembly if we see it as having good weight.
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