The principle of compassion lies at the heart of all
religious, ethical and spiritual traditions, calling us always to treat all
others as we wish to be treated ourselves. Compassion impels us to work
tirelessly to alleviate the suffering of our fellow creatures, to dethrone
ourselves from the centre of our world and put another there, and to honour the
inviolable sanctity of every single human being, treating everybody, without
exception, with absolute justice, equity and respect.
It is also necessary in both public and private life to
refrain consistently and empathically from inflicting pain. To act or speak
violently out of spite, chauvinism, or self-interest, to impoverish, exploit or
deny basic rights to anybody, and to incite hatred by denigrating others—even
our enemies—is a denial of our common humanity. We acknowledge that we have
failed to live compassionately and that some have even increased the sum of
human misery in the name of religion.
We therefore call upon all men and women ~ to restore compassion
to the centre of morality and religion ~ to return to the ancient principle
that any interpretation of scripture that breeds violence, hatred or disdain is
illegitimate ~ to ensure that youth are given accurate and respectful
information about other traditions, religions and cultures ~ to encourage a
positive appreciation of cultural and religious diversity ~ to cultivate an
informed empathy with the suffering of all human beings—even those regarded as
enemies.
We urgently need to make compassion a clear, luminous and
dynamic force in our polarized world. Rooted in a principled determination to
transcend selfishness, compassion can break down political, dogmatic,
ideological and religious boundaries. Born of our deep interdependence,
compassion is essential to human relationships and to a fulfilled humanity. It
is the path to enlightenment, and indispensable to the creation of a just
economy and a peaceful global community.
I encourage you. Please affirm with your name. Embrace commitments of compassion the charter offers. Commit to your own. Share. Live with, by, and for compassion.
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