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Forgiveness is a virtue of humility. It is an ornament of social courtesy. Forgiveness is sinless. It is chaste. Forgiveness is woodland of peace, where perfect calm prevails and austerities are performed.
Forgiveness teaches us non-violence and through non-violence we should learn to practice forbearance. The axiom - 'prasparograho' can be proclaimed only by a devotee of non-violence, who is anti to the law of the jungle Tit for Tat'. The slogan 'Live and Let Live' is as much an expression of non-violence as that of forgiveness. Forgiveness aims at prolonged happiness and long life for others and freedom from mental tension for self.
Forgiveness and Forgiving
The 'Paryushan Parva' - the observance of the ten universal supreme virtues -commences with the first virtue forgiveness. It culminates in the forgiving ceremony; as if forgiveness works as a coherent link between the beginning and the end of 'The Festival of Self-Uplift'. Water is to drink, not to fill pitchers. Its coolness is needed for the throat, not for the pond. Likewise, the soothing drink of forgiveness is meant for the soul. It is not a trick meant for social manipulation and exploitation of injured feelings. So far you have learnt lessons in forgiveness and cried slogans in support of forgiveness times without number. Now put to practice in daily existence, what you have learnt; so that the ever growing crowd of criminal cases in the law courts may lessen, and conferences preaching universal brotherhood may replace the army battalions posted on the borders.
Only the enlightened souls can convey the message of forgiveness. The ill-bred wretched fellows whose hearts are palpitating with rancor fail to understand the significance of this celestial virtue. One given to forgiveness resides forever in the Garden of Eden, whereas a man bereft of the virtue of forgiveness always burns in the dry forest fire of ever simmering rage. In truth, 'Forgiveness' is a superb word found in the spiritual dictionary of some highly cultured societies alone.
Miriam savbhudaisu vairam majham nr kainr vi
Lord Mahavira preached and professed in black and white through the scriptures, the message of universal brotherhood. The prophet laid stress on the well being of all men, birds and beasts. The holy soul counseled mankind to sustain no ill will for any living being in thought, speech and action.
The U.N.O. observes a day for universal brotherhood. Does it not signify that we live in an environment of racial hatred and territorial discord between nations throughout the year? The message of Jainism is that we should observe not days, but years and centuries of universal brotherhood and mutual love among all human beings i.e., practice forgiveness for all creatures including the 'mute' beings of the animal kingdom. To limit the feeling of fraternity, which is a perennial spring of humanity to certain days, is to limit the joys of human life.
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