FORGIVENESS

Today people from India’s ‘Jain’ community are celebrating ‘Forgiveness Day’ at the end of 10 days long celebrations of most auspicious days of Paryushan festival. This day everyone from the community seeks Forgiveness from others for the past mistakes. And in the process he also forgives all others for their mistakes, sins and other similar negativities. To err is human and to forgive is divine. The word forgiveness i.e. ‘Kshama’ means patience, forbearance and pardon. To pardon an enemy or a friend, both is the jewel of noble persons. Forbearance is the ornament of the brave.

Forgiveness has been regarded as the most courageous act of human nature in almost all religions of the world. Forgiveness is the tool which was practiced by all including Lord Rama, Krishna, Mahavira Swami, Buddha, Christ, Prophet Mohammed and Guru Nanak dev. None could do without it. Forgiveness is at the core of Christianity. In Hinduism and Jainism it is considered as an act of strength and courage of Kings and Emperors. Islam says, ‘If any show patience and forgive, that truly would be an exercise of courageous will and resolution in the conduct of affairs’. Sikhism says, ‘Forgiveness plays an essential part in human relations and magnanimity is most certainly a sign of strength.

Every religion on this earth has accorded Forgiveness as an act of courage and the one who asks for forgiveness is a courageous person as he has accepted his past mistakes and wish for atonement. On the other hand, the one who forgives is equally courageous and strong as he has accepted to forget and forgive misdeeds of others.

Mahatma Gandhi has said, “The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.

Not a single person on this earth can claim to be perfect. Everyone commits several mistakes in his life and hurts or harms others, either knowingly or unknowingly. It means everyone has something or someone to forgive. Acceptance of one’s faults and forgiving for the others faults helps one to get rid of his guilt. His conscience will be clear and he will be able to free the self from worries. Forgiveness is a unique gift which you are giving it to yourself. It helps you heal within and bring you peace of mind. The experience of ecstasy felt after forgiving cannot be described in words.

An English poet has written about forgiveness in following manner,

O Man! Forgive thy mortal foe,

Do not give him blow for blow

Forgive him seventy times and seven

For all the blessed souls in Heaven

Were both forgivers and forgiven.

Some people keep on cursing the self for various reasons but they never think of forgiving the self and carry the burden of guilt. First you must learn to forgive the self and then the whole world. We believe that God forgives our sins but also that He will not do so unless we forgive others for their sins against us. Let us learn to forgive everyone and also ask for forgiveness of our mistakes. You can go on repeating following affirmation for developing the habit of forgiveness.

“I lovingly forgive and forget everyone whosoever has ever offended or hurt me.”

This day reminds for forgiveness and people have made it a ritual to request for the same by saying ‘Micchā me dukkadam’ or Uttam kşamā, i.e. “We ask forgiveness for any harm we may have caused you, by thoughts, words or actions, knowingly or unknowingly”. It is my opinion, in addition to this ritual, we must ensure that forgiveness has permanent abode within every one of us and is continuously flowing through us and it is a part of our basic nature and we must continuously and consistently forgive others. I am also of the opinion; forgiveness if practiced sincerely will solve all those problems of crime, war, terrorism and various other negativities hovering over this world and bring peace and harmony in the whole world.