Kshama

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Kshama" by Dharmchand Jain, drawing from the provided pages:

The book "Kshama" (Forgiveness) by Dharmchand Jain emphasizes forgiveness as a vital virtue in Jainism, describing it as the "nectar of life." The text outlines two key aspects of forgiveness: to forgive others and to ask for forgiveness.

Forgiving others means not harboring ill will or resentment towards someone who has caused an adverse situation, and if such feelings have arisen, actively working to dispel them. Asking for forgiveness involves humbly expressing remorse for a committed offense and requesting the other person to remove any negativity or animosity. The author posits that when forgiveness, both given and received, is done with inner purity, it naturally leads to self-purification.

"Kshama" is presented as a simple, cost-free, and effort-free path to achieving peace and purity. It fosters love and intimacy between individuals, making them stress-free and blameless. Far from being a sign of weakness, forgiveness elevates a person in the eyes of others.

The text powerfully argues that forgiveness is the ultimate solution for a mind tormented by the fires of conflict and animosity. While simple in concept, it is incredibly difficult for those inclined towards retaliation or revenge. Those who believe in revenge see it as the best way to find peace and mete out justice for wrongs. However, the author warns that revenge only breeds more violence and creates a cycle of retaliation, akin to trying to clean blood-stained clothes with more blood, which only perpetuates the impurity. Bhagwan Mahavir, in the Gyatadharmakatha Sutra, is quoted to illustrate this point: "The purification of a cloth stained with blood cannot be achieved by washing it with blood." Similarly, violence does not end violence.

Adopting the principles of non-violence, forgiveness, and friendship can transform enemies into allies. The text illustrates how trivial matters, ego, greed, anger, and deceit can strain relationships, even between siblings, leading to communication breakdown and a desire to diminish each other, often overlooking the negative impact on one's own reputation. This destructive attitude can extend to marital relationships, where couples focus only on each other's faults, forgetting their positive qualities. The text suggests that embracing forgiveness could significantly reduce divorce rates. The destructive nature of conflict and retaliation is boundless. Diminishing others cannot be the purpose or success of life; it's likened to treating a diamond like a pebble, which is neither wise nor intelligent.

"Kshama" is presented as the most effective and lasting solution for controlling tension and conflict between individuals. To remain truly human, one must embrace forgiveness, lest they begin to exhibit demonic traits.

The text defines forgiveness as not becoming angry or harboring ill will when faced with adversity caused by others. This includes elements of tolerance and equanimity. Those who subdue their anger and other negative emotions are considered forgiving, and their spiritual practices are deemed truly meritorious. It is stated that progress in spiritual practice is impossible without the pacification of negative emotions like anger.

Quoting the Uttaradhyayan Sutra, the author highlights the benefits of forgiveness. When Lord Mahavir was asked by Gautam Ganadhar about the benefits of forgiveness, he explained that forgiveness leads to "Prahladbhav" (a state of pleasantness and deep contentment). From this state, one develops friendship towards all living beings. A being with such a friendly disposition achieves purity of mind (bhav-vishuddhi) and becomes fearless. Thus, forgiveness fosters love and intimacy between two individuals.

Forgiveness is considered the ornament of the brave, as they choose forgiveness despite having the power to retaliate. However, this does not imply that the weak cannot be forgiving. Forgiveness is also considered the strength of the weak, as stated, "Forgiveness is the strength of the powerless." The text clarifies that if a weak person harbors a desire for revenge but has not yet acted upon it, it signifies a lack of true forgiveness, indicating that they have already formed a knot of animosity. Until these knots of conflict are untangled, achieving peace and equanimity remains difficult.

A saint is quoted saying that every offender expects forgiveness for themselves but desires punishment for others. They wish to see themselves adorned with divine qualities like non-violence, absence of enmity, generosity, forgiveness, renunciation, truthfulness, and humility, yet fail to exhibit such behavior towards others. It is flawed to expect respect and sweetness from others while treating them with disrespect and bitterness. This increases attachment to oneself and aversion towards others. Forgiveness can transform animosity into love. By patiently and willingly enduring injustice done to oneself and forgiving the wrongdoer, animosity can turn into love. By seeking forgiveness for injustices committed by oneself and accepting penance or punishment for self-rectification, attachment can transform into detachment.

The scriptures suggest ways to conquer the four cardinal vices (kashayas): anger with pacification, pride with humility, deceit with simplicity, and greed with contentment. However, the text argues that forgiveness is a singular, powerful tool that, when fully embraced, can lead to liberation from all four vices. Where there is forgiveness, there is victory over anger. Forgiveness is also a means to conquer pride, as one cannot forgive or ask for forgiveness without the dissolution of ego. Similarly, forgiveness cannot be sought without simplicity, and simplicity is the means to overcome deceit. Therefore, the act of giving and receiving forgiveness indirectly leads to victory over deceit. Forgiveness also enables victory over greed, as it is impossible to be forgiving when self-interest and greed are predominant. Thus, the spirit of forgiveness is capable of controlling and conquering all vices.