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TO FORGIVE IS DIVINE
[Key Note Presentation at the Ahimsa Varsh Celebrations held under the auspices of Bharatiya Vidya Bhawan at New Jersey (U.S.A.) in April 2002 to mark the 2600th Janma Kalyanak of Bhagavan Mahavir]
Let me begin with a couplet
To forgive is ennobling To be forgiven is bliss
May we all embrace this culture Preach later first practice.
Forgiveness (Kshama) has been identified as a very desirable quality in different philosophical traditions. However Jain philosophy anchored on the bedrock of Ahimsa (Non-Violence) accords it a prominent place not only in thought but more so in day-today conduct of life, which is enmeshed in an intricate web of social relationships. Jain philosophy is focused on the relevance and importance to the human art of living of forgiveness. The belief in and practice of the culture of forgiveness enables human beings to rise above the humdrum of ego and false pride, envy and prejudice, hate and hostility, anger and revenge.
In the midst of a wide variety of tensions-personal, social, psychological, physical and mental, how much we need acquiring the habit and culture of restraint, patience, tolerance and largeheartedness. The ocean of compassion is unfathomable. More often than not, we the ordinary mortals stand on its shores desiring just a few drops of it to fall on us and make our lives full of true happiness and bliss.
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