Page 57 - EH67

F ORUM TEACHINGS | EASTERN HORIZON 555
TERN

AS
E
5
HORIZ
|

ORUM
ON
F
similarities between the two, they rather than others’ expectation. Aggacitta: The Buddha skilfully
are not identical. Therefore, forgiveness is an act of toggled between conventional
self-empowerment. Furthermore, truth (you and I, the offender and
Is forgiving oneself the same as it serves also as an act of self-love the offended) and ultimate truth
developing self-compassion? or self-compassion. Some people (the non-self nature of the five
How do we transcend anger, are having anger, hatred, or regret aggregates) for the benefit of all
hatred, regret and practice self- mainly because of unfulfilled hopes. according to circumstances.
compassion? Therefore, self-compassion allows
us to accept the fact of our inability An act of forgiveness does not
Aggacitta: It is a major step towards in achieving the expected hopes. contradict the Buddha’s teaching of
that direction. Self-compassion Self-forgiveness is truly at the core anatta because the former is done
can be evoked by intellectual of peacemaking; and we cannot on a conventional level (like the
reflection of conditionality but establish peace with others if we practice of the 4 brahmavihāras)
best by introspective observation are not at peace with ourselves. while the latter should be applied in
of and insight into its mechanism. In fact, none of us is perfect, but the ultimate sense, especially in the
Incidentally, the English saying we can perfect the art of learning practice of vipassanā.
“to understand is to forgive” is a from our past mistakes and we can
very profound expression of how perfect the art of self-forgiveness. To elaborate, all unwholesome
this works. It is precisely because This is how we grow, change and, and wholesome actions stem from
of the understanding that one is ultimately, begin anew. the 4th aggregate of volitional
the product–or even a helpless formations (saṅkhārā). The other
victim–of complex causes and Geshe Dadul: I believe they remaining aggregates (form,
conditions; that anger, hatred and are not one and the same. Self- feeling, perception, consciousness)
regret can be transcended. After compassion seems to have the are resultants. In other words,
all, these three negative states arise explicit connotation of self-care the 4th aggregate (volitional
due to ignorance of the fact that and self-concern, with a special formations) is the actor and the
things happen because of complex, emphasis on addressing self-hate, rest are the helpless reapers of its
multiple causes and conditions, self-blame, self-loathing and the actions. Whatever unwholesome
many of which are sometimes like. Forgiving oneself focuses on actions done will result in afflicted
beyond anyone’s control. Repeated one’s wrongdoings and past failures form and unpleasant feelings,
introspective realisation or and engages in self-counseling and perceptions and mental objects
verification of this fact in as many self-freedom from their clutches to be experienced by the other
aspects of one’s life as possible and pressures. The way to train in remaining aggregates respectively.
can impactfully transform one’s transcending those emotions is by Conversely, all wholesome actions
mindset from that of a control- regularly dwelling on the harms and will result in pleasant experiences
freak to that of a wise equanimous defects of anger, etc. and benefits of for them. In conventional terms we
observer. In this way, forgiveness fortitude and compassion. say “someone” suffers or enjoys
can be activated, and eventually these experiences but ultimately it
nurtured to become genuine self- In the Buddhist teaching of is the 5 aggregates that does so.
compassion. non-self, who is there for us to
forgive? Min Wei: The concept of non-self
Min Wei: Absolutely, forgiveness is all about letting go of self-
concerns insight awareness attachment, desire or expectations