This study analyzed the mediating effect of self–compassion on the relationship between religious orientation and forgiveness. Religious orientation has two sub–factors such as intrinsic orientation and extrinsic orientation. These two sub–factors were separately functioned as independent variables. Thus, in this study, the mediating effect of self–compassion between intrinsic orientation and forgiveness was investigated. Also, the mediating effect of self compassion between extrinsic orientation and forgiveness was explored. 395 people including Catholics, Protestants, and Buddhists were given the three different questionnaires. It was statstically operated through SPSS 20.0 As a result of the study, self–compassion fully mediated between intrinsic orientation and forgiveness. In addition, self–compassion partially mediated between extrinsic orientation and forgiveness. Extrinsic orientation had a negative influence both on self–compassion and on forgiveness. As self–compassion mediated, forgiveness increased on the significant level. The negative influence, which extrinsic orientation had on forgiveness, was still significant although it could not surpass the positive influence of self–compassion on forgiveness.