World Forgiveness Day observed on July 7, worldwide, can be applied to every single person on earth, however great and good. We are all in one way or the other, in need of either being forgiven or truly need to forgive others and all of us certainly need God’s forgiveness.
Whoever came upon the idea of observing a World Forgiveness Day certainly struck a brilliant idea, not only in terms of something that can set all our relationships with one another right but something that psychologists and spiritual leaders tell us to be the most essential thing for a healthy life. Dr Robert Enright from the University of Wisconsin founded the International Forgiveness Institute. His studies show that people who forgive are happier and healthier than those who hold resentments.
Not surprisingly, most world religions include teachings on the nature of forgiveness, and many of these teachings provide an underlying basis for many varying modern-day traditions and practices of forgiveness.
In Judaism, if a person causes harm, but then sincerely and honestly apologises to the wronged individual and tries to rectify the wrong, the wronged individual is religiously required to grant forgiveness.
In Islam we find that Allah is known as Al-Ghafur, meaning “The oft-forgiving”, and is the original source of all forgiveness. Seeking forgiveness from Allah with repentance is a virtue. Islam recommends forgiveness between believers, because Allah values forgiveness.
According to Vedic literature and epics of Hinduism, kshama and fusion words based on it, describe the concept of forgiveness. The word kshama is often combined with kripa (tenderness), daya (kindness) and karuna (compassion). Forgiveness is considered one of the six cardinal virtues in Hinduism.
In Jainism, forgiveness is one of the main virtues that needs to be cultivated by the Jains. Supreme forgiveness forms part of one of the 10 characteristics of dharma. In the Jain prayer, Jains repeatedly seek forgiveness from various creatures — even from single sensed beings like plants and micro-organisms that they may have harmed.
In Buddhism, forgiveness is seen as a practice to prevent harmful thoughts from causing havoc on one’s mental wellbeing.
In Christianity, forgiveness is more important than ritual sacrifice: “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.”
Jesus also said “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”
Finally Jesus himself asked for God’s forgiveness of those who crucified him saying, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
Father Dominic Emmanuel, a founder-member of Parliament of Religions, he can be contacted at frdominic@gmail.com
