More than all else, my spiritual path is rooted in compassionate action. I imagine and envision that each and every moment will find our beautiful world growing in those who are committed to the values and calls for action reflected in The Charter For Compassion. Namaste.... Molly
Archbishop Desmond Tutu is among the Charter members
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.
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Compassion is not just a feeling, not just an emotion. It can include feeling and emotion but for compassion to be authentic it needs to translate into action so that it becomes a social reality, a reality in daily life. ~ Tho Ha Vinh, Charter For Compassion Member and Head of Training, Learning and Development, International Committee of the Red Cross
Compassion is not hereditable. It can and therefore must be taught. The teaching of compassion, the exercise of the soul, will open the heart. And then nothing will be impossible.
~ Rabbi Awraham Soetendorp, Charter Member and Rabbi of the Reform Jewish Community of The Hague
~ Rabbi Awraham Soetendorp, Charter Member and Rabbi of the Reform Jewish Community of The Hague
In a world where force is too often the response to differences of opinion, culture and ideas of the divine, compassion is its one universal antidote. This Charter gives spiritual voices the opportunity to unite in this most authentic cry for peace. ~ Sister Joan Chittister, Charter Member and Founder and Director, Benetvision
Compassion doesn’t come naturally…people have to learn about being compassionate. And so for me, [the Charter] reflects what we can do in our educational systems, and generally in society, to educate people about the notion of compassion. I actually do not believe that there is a clash of civilizations. I think there is what is better termed a clash of ignorances. ~ Ali Asani, Charter Member and Professor of the Practice of Indo-Muslim Languages and Culture
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