The Buddhist Understanding of Forgiveness and Reconciliation

The author deals with forgiveness and reconciliation in the
social sphere, i.e., on the horizontal plane as seen in Buddhism. In Bud­
dhism too, as in all religions, there is doubtless a gap between theory
and practice, between the ideal and the existential. Nevertheless Bud­
dhism has not been so belligerent as some other religions. Besides it
 
can draw inspiration from its rich spiritual resources, which can enable
it to shun communalism and maintain a broad-minded and dialogical
attitude towards others. Be that as it may, while granting that divergent
world-views result in differences with regard to the nature, motivation
and expression o f  forgiveness and reconciliation, Buddhists and others
need to hearken to the call o f  peace, forgiveness and reconciliation, to 
heal a broken world and build bridges o f  friendship and harmony.