Forgiveness

Scripture teaches that we should forgive those who wrong us. Through an awareness of our own shortcomings we develop the capacity to accept the shortcomings of others. Towards the end of his life, Mahatma Gandhi was asked how he could be so tolerant of people who oppressed him. He answered that when one is truly aware of one's own failings it is easier to deal more compassionately with all the other "rogues." Forgiveness unites us with those from whom we have been divided. As a Jewish Talmudic saying puts it, "Who is the bravest hero? He who turns his enemy into a friend" (Nathan, 23).
Christianity is a religion of forgiveness. It teaches that by following the example of Jesus we are forgiven by God and that we should in like manner forgive others. Jesus counsels us to love our enemies. This is a truly remarkable request. He is not asking us to like our enemies or to approve of what they do, but to love them, to sense an essential unity that we share even with those from whom we feel most alienated. Such love allows us to see those who act with cruelty and malice not as intrinsically bad and therefore unlovable, but as tragically trapped in their selfishness and suffering through this separation from God.
"Two wrongs do not make a right," the old maxim goes. The scriptures teach that if we meet evil with evil then nothing changes. If we meet evil with goodness, then the situation may miraculously be transformed. The evil man is a prisioner of his self. Retaliating against him with anger securely locks the prison door. Responding with kindness and compassion allows him the opportunity to step free.
The Talmud reminds us of our essential unity and compares seeking vengeance to cutting one's hand while handling a knife and then revenging this violence by stabbing the other hand. When we know we are all one, vengeance is ridiculous and forgiveness is natural.

A superior being does not render evil
for evil; this is a maxim one should
observe; the ornament of virtous
persons is their conduct. One should
never harm the wicked or the good or
even criminals meriting death.
A noble soul will ever exercise
compassion even toward those who
enjoy injuring others or those of cruel
deeds when they are actually
committing them - for who is without
fault?

Hinduism: Ramayana, Yuddha Kanda 115


Those who beat you with fists,
Do not pay them in the same coin,
But go to their house and
kiss their feet.

Sikhism: Adi Granth, Shalok, Farid

Where there is forgiveness,
there is God Himself.

Sikhism: Adi Granth, Shalok, Kadir


The best deed of a great man is to
forgive and forget.

Islam: Nahjul Balagha, Saying 201


Peter asked Jesus, "Master, how
many times should I forgive my
broyher if he continues to wrong me?
Is seven times enough?" Jesus said to
him, "No. Not seven times, but
seventy times seven!"

Christianity: Matthew 18.21 - 35