World of Philosophy

Author(s): Christopher Key Chapple, Intaj Malek, Dilip Charan, Sunanda Shastri, Prashant Dave
Publisher: Shanti Prakashan

Page 516

As seen above, the importance of forgiveness has been recognized, investigated and appraised by Medical Personnel's and Scholars of the West. They have put in efforts to bring out the benefits of forgiveness and carried out several experiments to prove the worth of forgiveness They have shown that one needs to forgive not for the well being of others alone, but for the tremendous benefit one can actually receive in terms of personal physical and mental well-being.
JAINISM AND FORGIVENESS
As far as Indian Philosophy is concerned, perhaps Jainism is a religion that has analyzed and emphasized the significance and role of FORGIVENESS, in the life of an individual in the most subtle way.
Truly enough, the mental, psychological, physical, therapeutic benefits do accrue to the forgiver and the forgiven. However, these are perhaps the secondary benefits or by -products of Forgiveness. The PRIME objective according to Jainism is its specific objective of 'Spiritual Advancement'.
The Jains do not just wait for the occasions or instances where a grave offence has been done; the person is hurt and the offender needs to be forgiven. They believe that knowingly or unknowingly at several occasions we do commit errors and intentionally or unintentionally we do harm, hurt, injure, torture, incite fear, torment or even kill innocent beings. Whatever be the reason, the self thus keeps on binding karmas, which is the sole cause of our transmigration. It is for this reason that one needs to observe the Six Essentials or duties so that the soul is not burdened with karmas that form a hindrance in spiritual elevation.
Yes, this is a unique feature of Jainism. It is perhaps the only religion that talks about forgiving not only human beings but forgiving and asking for forgiveness from all of the small and big creatures of the Universe.
Indeed, a laity is supposed to perform this rite each and every day in order to ask for forgiveness and forgiving the wrong-doers. The rite is technically known as Pratikramaṇa. The main purpose behind its observance is to cleanse the soul - so as to not burden it with impediments.
Again for further purification of the left over karmas, this rite is taken up fortnightly, quarterly and on the last day of the most important seven day [or ten days] Jain festival - "The Paryushana'. The last day called 'Samāvatsari is celebrated as 'FORGIVENESS DAY', wherein all of the creatures are forgiven and forgiveness is asked for from all of the creatures of the Universe with the utterance of the words, 'Michchhami Dukkādam?'.
THE DEFINITIONS OF PRATIKRAMANA
The Etymological meaning of Pratikramanā
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