Forgiveness

Christians

• “Forgive not 7 times, but 77 times”

• “If you forgive others for their sins, the Father will forgive you”

• “Forgive them Father for they know not what they do”

• “Forgive an infinite number of times”

Buddhists

• “He beat me, insulted me, robbed me! Think this way and hatred never ends” = victimising yourself perpetuates cycle of dukkha, letting go of this hatred brings peace

• When you are holding on to hatred and anger, “you are like a man who wants to hit another, and picks up a burning coal excrement; he first burns himself or makes himself stink” = by not forgiving, first person affected is you

• story of Angulimala- he became a ruthless killer, collecting fingers from his victims and wearing them as a necklace. One of his intended victims was the Buddha but the Buddha was able to stop Angulimala’s murderous rampage. Because of the Buddha’s karuna and metta, he repented his crimes and practised the Dharma. He still had to experience the karmic effects of his actions and was attacked and beaten many times, but he was able to attain nirvana.

• Tenzin Gyatso - “when i forgive, my mind becomes calm”

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