________________
44
JAIN JOURNAL
And thus said the great sage-philosopher of China, Lao Tse: "I have preserved three jewels with care-forgiveness, restraint, absence of aspiration of being first in the world. As I can forgive, I am strong; as I live a life of restraint, I can be broadminded; and as I have no aspiration of being first, I am the foremost among the king's advisers. His victory is assured who can forgive; well-protected is he who protects himself by forgiveness; and whom the Heaven protects, protects him by encircling him with forgiveness." (Tao-Te-Ching)
Forgiveness with a Jaina is no empty greeting nor a routine utterance. It gives him the taste of liberation-the ultimate freedom which is the eternal craving of the jiva. It is for this that he forgives and desires to be forgiven so that through this act of forgiveness his urge for freedom may increase and one day he may be totally liberated.
The virtue of forgiveness is recognised in all religions; but the Jainas alone have translated it into practice and used it as an instrument for spiritual uplift.
