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FORGIVENESS (KSHAMA)
PART IV : 29
murdered. The king's, or the judge's order is the negation of this negation, and is enjoined by Jainism as a duty. Similarly the soldier's killing on the battlefield. It is only prejudiced and garbled accounts of Jainism that have led to it being misunderstood. Civil and Criminal Wrongs :
The Indian Penal Code, originally drafted by Lord Macaulay, takes account of almost all offences known to and suppressed by our modern civilization. The five minor rules of conduct ( The five anuvratas of jainism ) cover the same ground as that of the said Code.
Thus, the eleven stages are scientifically conceived. The graded steps have to be climbed one after the other. The climbing commences with the Right Faith and progress is achieved only when he is prepared to observe the more difficult vows and rules of conduct.
[From “Outlines of Jainism "l
dalili
LESSON IX
FORGIVENESS (KSHAMA) Forgiveness is that unique part of Dharma, which does not permit the emergence or rise of anger in one's self, in spite of the association of external causes that can create normally violent reviling. F ness is an embellishment of heroes. Real forgiveness is that in which man ponders - “ Even though I have the capacity to hit and throw back the opposing individual or object, how can I discard this virtue of forgiveness and resort to anger ? Anger demolishes the very foundation of forgiveness which is precisely my inborn nature, my true being ?” Great saints, who uphold forgiveness with such true philosophical thinking are real heroes in this universe. The General Nature of Anger :
Passion, anger and greed--these three basic vices are described in Indian culture as gateway of hell. A Sadhaka, therefore, who fears sin, should positively overcome these three vices in the right
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