Transcript for THE CHARTER FOR COMPASSION

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 indispensible to the creation

of a just economy

and a peaceful global community.