ISJS Transactions 2018 07 To 09 Vol 02 No 03

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

Page 43

seeing even the smallest quality in others. Let us not be like crabs who try to pull each other back, when the other is going ahead. But rather, be happy for them. The sweetest sound in this world is a praise. Experiment: when insulting someone, immediately say 10 good qualities about the person. You'll realize that making fun of him or her was absolutely unnecessary, because there is so much to appreciate than to criticize.
2. Accept (Samabhāva)
To forgive is to accept the person without making any changes. Forgiveness is acceptance; forgiveness is respect to the other. Experiment: remember the Karma Philosophy which is; 'I eat what I cook'.
The Celebration of the Soul..... 35
3. Adapt (Anekāntavāda)
Differentiate between my side, your side and the right side (in all arguments). See all sides of the story, not just your own. Experiment: take 5 minutes before speaking. The anger will subside and forgiveness will prevail.
4. Awareness (Jāgrti)
Become aware of the anger at the birth stage, when it is in form of 'irritation'; so that it does not escalate into a volcano of anger. Experiment: 1. put a 'no anger zones' in your room. 2. See the core of the person (soul), not the impure layer; or see the person as though it was the first time. (Revisiting incident again and again creates anger).
5. Adore (Maitri Bhāva)
The most important point in kşamā (forgiveness) that we must take into consideration is that the Heart of Forgiveness is Love. Without having the feeling of Pure Love from within, how will forgiveness ever arise? It is important to have maitri (universal brotherhood) for all. Experiment: give free smiles, not stones when walking on the street.
Kathā (factual story) to illustrate Supreme Forgiveness and its greatness
1. Gajasukumāra, younger brother of Krsna Vāsudeva, very beautiful in body, renounced
the worldly life taking initiation from Bhagavāna Neminātha at young age of only twelve and was engrossed in deep meditation sitting in a crematorium; thereby his character full of wonderful forgiveness, attained very high spiritual state of the self. I'll tell you that story. Gajasukumāra was betrothed to a very beautiful daughter of a Brahmin named Somala but before marriage Gajasukumāra renounced the worldly life. So Somala got fiercely angry and wild as his daughter missed a beautiful boy who would be her husband and he went in search of Gajasukumāra and searched out from where that great monk Gajasukumāra was sitting in performance of kāyotsarga, with pure heart and steadfast