Dalai Lama: Power of Forgiveness (video)

Dalai Lama; C.K.S. (pranaworld.net); Ashley Wells, Dhr. Seven, CC Liu (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

(University of Limerick, Ireland) The Dalai Lama on the Power of Forgiveness

Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and spiritual leader of the Tibetan people, the XIVth Dalai Lama visited the University of Limerick for a special address on the theme of forgiveness on in the spring of 2011. This address was part of an event including music presented by the Ritual Chant Programme at the Irish World Academy, University of Limerick, featuring the children's choir selected from the Irish Chamber Orchestra Youth Chorus. The event was being organized in conjunction with Children in Crossfire established by Richard Moore, a long time friend of this Dalai Lama.
 

Did the Buddha forgive?

Was the Buddha willing to forgive?

Forgiveness is one of the Ten Perfections in Buddhism. It is called khanti and is often translated as forbearance or patience. "Forbearance is the highest virtue" (Dhammapada V. 184), it is often said in Buddhism.

"There are two kinds of wise people. What two? One who sees one's transgression as a transgression, and one who rightly pardons [forgives] another who has confessed a transgression. These two are indeed wise."

— AN 2.21

"It is a cause of growth in the Doctrine and Discipline of the noble ones when, seeing a transgression as such, one makes amends in accordance with the Dharma and exercises restraint in the future."

— DN 2

• Purity of Heart (by Ven. Thanissaro, accesstoinsight.org)

What did the Buddha say about forgiveness?

Jetavan, DhammaWheel.com, edited by Wisdom Quarterly

"Meditators, even if bandits were to take you apart, limb from limb, with a two-handled saw, anyone among you who would allow the heart to be overcome with anger about that would not be following my Teaching. Even then train yourselves: 'Our minds/hearts will be unaffected and we will say no unskillful words. We will remain sympathetic, with a heart/mind of goodwill, fostering no inner hate. We will continue to pervade these people with a mind suffused with loving kindness. Beginning with them, we will continue pervading the world in all directions with a mind suffused with loving kindness -- grown exalted, expansive, boundless, immeasurable, freed of hostility, freed of ill will.' That is how you should train yourselves" -- "The Simile of the Saw" (Kakacupama Sutra).
 

The Seven Levels of Forgiveness

“Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned.”
- The Buddha

Here, I give you forgiveness, and you, too.

In order to feel free, happy, and satisfied, we need to constantly forgive and forget [grudges we may be holding]. We need not only extend our love to everyone else, particularly people who hurt us, but also show love to ourselves.
 

Forgiveness, from the point of view of self toward self and others, is a wise thing to do. (Forgiveness is for giving.) It frees us as we free others from anger and resentment. If we do not release it, it will keep enemies as we keep burning up from the inside.

 

“It is in forgiving that we are forgiven, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned.”
- [Catholic] Saint Francis of Assisi

Good St. Francis (ireland-calling.com)

The energy of anger and resentment is extremely dirty and dense. It can contaminate and clog our auras and our chakras. The effects are not only emotional disorders -- manifesting as bitterness, sadness, and dissatisfaction -- but also physical ailments that show up in the long run.

Problems like high blood pressure, kidney ailments, arthritis, asthma, and even cancer are examples of physical ailments that are caused or accompanied by an accumulation of negative lower emotional energies like anger and resentment (partly because of the way we treat ourselves to deal with such feelings not realizing that we can let them go).

• VIDEO: Ancient Heart of Forgiveness (Jack Kornfield)
• VIDEO: 12 Principles of Forgiveness (Jack Kornfield)
• The Psychology of Forgiveness

Therefore, for the sake of our health and well being and maybe even for others, we need to educate ourselves in the skill and practice of being able to forgive and continue living and loving.

 

Based on Master Choa Kok Sui’s teachings, forgiveness is practiced by different people based on their level of maturity. It can range from Level 0 to Level 7. Which level are you? Reach Level 7 and see your life fill with constant joy, happiness, calmness, stillness, and inner peace! More

“Anger and hatred bind people together! When you hate someone, it creates an 'energy link' with the person. You become chained to the person and your soul becomes entangled with that person. If you want to be free, you must forgive people.”

- Master Choa Kok Sui