Reconciling Forgiveness … (09/03/09)
“All sacred scriptures advocate a large-hearted attitude of forgiveness of others’ erroneous ways, even when the same cause offense or injury. Forgiveness is far preferable to holding a grudge, which would only fester and poison the spirit of both the offender and the one offended. Furthermore, we are advised by sacred texts to take personal responsibility for the grudges and injuries which others feel towards us — humbly asking their forgiveness whether or not we feel “in the wrong”. ~ unknown
“Subvert anger by forgiveness.”
~ Samanasuttam 136 (Jainism)
“The best deed of a great man is to forgive.”
~ Nahgjul Balagha, saying 201 (Islam – Shiite)
“Where there is forgiveness, there is God Himself.”
~ Adi Granth, Shalok, Kabir, pg. 1372 (Sikhism)
“If you efface and overlook and forgive, then lo! God is forgiving, merciful.”
~ Qur’an 64:14 (Islam)
“The superior man tends to forgive wrongs and deals leniently with the crimes of others.”
~ I Ching 40 (Confucianism)
“If you are offering your gift at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift [to God].”
~ Jesus in Matthew 5:23-24 (Christianity)
“The Day of Atonement atones for sins against God, not for sins against man, unless the injured person has been appeased.”
~ Mishnah, Yoma 8:9 (Judaism)
“Show endurance in humiliation and bear no grudge.”
~ Treatise on Response & Retribution (Taoism)
“You shall not take vengeance or bear any grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.”
~ Leviticus 19:18 (Judaism & Christianity)
“Moses son of Imran said, ‘My Lord, who is the greatest of Thy servants in Thy estimation?’, and received the reply, ‘The one who forgives when he is in a position of power.'”
~ Hadith of Baihaqi (Islam)
“Better and more rewarding is God’s reward to those … who avoid gross sins and indecencies and, when angered, are willing to forgive … True constancy lies in forgiveness and patient forbearance.”
~ Qur’an 42:36-43 (Islam)
“Then Peter came up and said to him, ‘Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven times.'”
~ Jesus in Matthew 18:21+ (Christianity)
“When Jesus was crucified, Roman soldiers pierced him. And Jesus prayed for his enemies: ‘Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.’ [Luke 23:34] Even at the moment of death on the cross, Jesus was so earnest in forgiving. His very last act was motivated by his love for his enemies. He was the supreme form of giving–a paragon of love. The example of Jesus Christ is the absolute standard for all mankind. Just imagine an entire nation composed of Jesus-like men. What would you call it? The Kingdom of Heaven on earth–it could be nothing less.”
~ Sun Myung Moon 10-20-73 (Unification Church)
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