ISJS Jainism Study Notes E5 Vol 04

Author(s): International School for Jain Studies
Publisher: International School for Jain Studies

Page 194

Islam teaches that God / Allah is 'the most forgiving', and is the original source of all forgiveness. Forgiveness often requires the repentance by those being forgiven. Depending on the type of wrong committed, forgiveness can come either directly from Allah, or from one's fellow man. Muslims are taught many phrases and words to keep repeating daily asking God's forgiveness e.g. Astaghfiru-Allah, "I ask forgiveness from Allah"
In Judaism, if a person harms one, but then sincerely and honestly apologizes to the wronged individual and tries to rectify the wrong, the wronged individual is religiously required to grant forgiveness. Jews observe a Day of Atonement Yom Kippur' on the day before God makes decisions regarding what will happen during the coming year. Just prior to Yom Kippur, Jews will ask forgiveness of those they have wronged during the prior year (if they have not already done so). During Yom Kippur itself, Jews fast and pray for God's forgiveness for the transgressions they have made against God in the prior year.
Let us now take a look at the principle of forgiveness in our own lives:
We see a dog starts barking on seeing a stranger. If the stranger responds by trying to hit him or run, the dog barks louder and chases him vehemently. If the person stands still and shows love to the dog, the dog also calms down and does not bother the person.
Similarly the fire (anger) when it falls on combustible things (i.e. absence of forgiveness) like hay, oil and petroleum products etc burn faster itself and the things on which it falls. But the same fire when falls on water or non-combustible things gets extinguished faster itself.
Mahatma Gandhi's forgiveness of his assassin as he was dying is a glorious example of forgiveness in our own life time. His practice of non-violence and satyagraha are based on the principles of forgiveness.
The Japanese, one of the most powerful economies of the world, sought forgiveness from Korea for the wrongs committed during the war to make a new beginning.
Studies show that people who forgive are happier and healthier than those who hold resentments. One study has shown that the positive benefit of forgiveness is similar whether it was based upon religious or secular counseling as opposed to a control group that received no forgiveness counseling. This is supportive of our own experience of anger. When angry, we start breathing heavily our pulse rate increases, blood pressure increases, physical tensions increase clouding our rational thinking. Forgiving eliminates anger. Remember revenge is sweet, but letting go of anger at those who wronged you is a smart route to good health
The need to forgive is widely recognized by the public, but they are often at a loss for ways to accomplish it. Like in other areas of human inquiry, science is beginning to question religious concepts of forgiveness. Psychology, sociology and medicine are among the scientific disciplines researching foregiveness or aspects of foregiveness. Psychological papers and books on the subject did not begin to appear until the 1980's. Dr. Robert Enright from the University of Wisconsin is regarded to have placed forgiveness on the world map by establishing International Forgiveness Institute. Thus we see forgiveness is gaining importance as an essential quality to be understood and practiced to enhance the quality of life, peace and harmony. It is therefore essential that we find ways to populrize studies, awareness and practice of forgiveness universally. Let us start a movement on forgiveness by observing K mv i Parva as the international day of seeking and giving forgiveness. K mv i Parva, as the name implies is an opportunity / celebration to express our belief in the concept and practice of forgiveness.
(References: Wilkepedia internet dictionary on forgiveness, Jain religious texts (Bhavapahuda Baras anuprekkha, Niyama Sara, Tattvaratha sutra and pujas by Dhyanat Rai)
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STUDY NOTES version 4.0