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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 indispensable to the creation of a just economy and a peaceful global community.

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CHARTER FOR COMPASSION / WORLD

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by Fresh Air with Terry... • 1 week ago
News Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf: Creating A New Vision Of Islam In America

Moderate Imam Feisal Rauf  was turned into a radical ideologue in the eyes of those opposed to an Islamic cultural center in lower Manhattan. Imam Rauf talks with Terry Gross about his ongoing struggle to keep common ground growing between Islam and the west. Also check out  Imam Rauf’s TED talk on compassion: "Lose your ego, find your compassion."  Read an excerpt from Imam Rauf 's new book Moving the Mountain: Beyond Ground Zero To A New Vision Of Islam In America. Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf combines the teachings of the Qur’an, the stories of Rumi, and the examples of

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by Compassionate School... • 2 days ago
News School's In -- Compassionate Schools in Pakistan

Earlier this month the Charter for Compassion Pakistan group launched an exciting new site for the Compassionate Schools Network.  The objective of the Compassionate School Network (CSN) is to give teachers the tools and training they need to teach compassion. The goal is to raise compassionate children who will then grow up to become compassionate adults with the hope is that this will lead to a more tolerant, peaceful society. Not only is compassion a proven antidote for aggression, viewing compassion as skill allows  educators to easily integrate the Compassionate School Network program them

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by Dalai Lama Center f... • 2 days ago
Event Event for Educators: Social and Emotional Learning

You are invited to the continuation of an on-going conversation that began at a September 2011 networking event in Coquitlam. Hosted by Learning Forward B.C. in partnership with the Dalai Lama Center for Peace and Education, all educators are welcome. Bring a friend or colleague.Participants will explore current research and stories of practice as they address the following question: What are the core capacities required of an adult in order to engage and enhance Social and Emotional Learning with students?

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by The Charter • 1 week ago
News Let the Wild Rumpus Continue! Sendak Forever!

Maurice Sendak often said he did not write books for children. He just happened to write books in which children were interested. No, Sendak had too much respect for children to assume they were simple creatures or easily fooled by adults. In a 2004 interview with Bill Moyers, Sendak said he didn't like Peter Pan, or rather the author of the tale, J.M. Barrie. "It's Barrie I don't like. The sentimentalizing of children, the cutesifying of the children. If you look into the heart of Peter Pan, it is a boy obsessed with death, afraid to live."The children in Sendak's books are not cute o

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