Ahimsa the Ultimate Winner

Author(s): N P Jain
Publisher: Prakrit Bharti Academy

Page 68

tendency to lose temper, it could develop more violent reactions in arousing passions of revenge, hostility, hatred and animosity. The practice of an approach of forgiveness can emerge as an effective remedy for controlling our anger.
Bhagwat Gita describes 35 qualities of a devotee; one of them is a forgiving nature. Learn to forgive and the rancour, anger within which was eating the vitals gets automatically washed.
Jainism elaborates the meaning and content of Kshama in a very comprehensive way. Kshama is not aimed only towards other human beings, but is intended to be practiced towards all living creatures as well as vibrant elements of the natural environment surrounding us. Here forgiveness emerges as a prerequisite for the practice of non-violence in our daily lives in relation to the universe around us. The lasting solution to the environmental crisis confronting the world today lies ultimately in human beings adopting an approach of Kshama towards all and learning to co-exist with them and not recklessly exploit them.
We human beings need to give up the easy temptation of indulging in the blame game. It is easy to pass on the buck to others even if we are at a fault. This is where forgiveness could be of immense help in curbing such temptations of getting rid of our guilt complex. There is the story of a boy who complained to his mother that his friend and not he had broken the window glass. When the mother asked how his friend did it, the boy replied "I threw a stone at him and he ducked"!
2000 years ago philosopher Spictetus wrote:
"It is not he who gives abuse that affronts, but the view we take of it. Your hurt comes from not what others do to you, but from what you chose to do with their actions. If you change your attitude about the hurt, you will soon find your victim status eliminated."
Intentionally or unintentionally, advertently or inadvertently we hurt others not only by a violent physical act, but also through our intentions reflected in our body language and use of insulting
Ahimsa: The Ultimate Winner ★ (47)