Compassion is no longer optional—it is the key to our survival. Spirituality, in its many forms, calls us to live with compassion, forgiveness, and interconnectedness. Religions and spiritual traditions have long offered diverse paths to enlightenment, practices for encountering the mystery of existence, and guidance for living in community. At their core, they share a unifying truth: compassion is the heart of authentic spiritual and moral life.

The Charter for Compassion, inspired by the scholarship and vision of Karen Armstrong, affirms that true spirituality seeks not to dominate but to elevate, nurturing hope, unity, and dignity for all. Grounded in Ubuntu—the recognition that “I am because you are, you are because I am”—this pillar honors the interdependence of all life. Love, compassion, and hope are not simply private virtues but collective forces for peace, justice, and survival.

Mission
To recognize and cultivate compassion as the living principle at the heart of spiritual, ethical, and religious traditions, affirming our shared responsibility to treat all people with dignity and to act wherever there is suffering.

Vision

• Restore compassion to the center of morality, spirituality, and religion.
   
• Affirm that any interpretation of tradition that breeds violence, hatred, or disdain is illegitimate.
   
• Ensure that young people receive accurate, respectful knowledge of diverse traditions and cultures.
   
• Encourage deep appreciation of diversity and cultivate empathy with the suffering of all beings—even those regarded as enemies.
   
• Ground spirituality in love, hope, and a global commitment to humanity.

Goals

• Create inclusive spaces for meditation, prayer, and reflection that welcome people of all spiritual and secular paths.
   
• Promote interfaith and interspiritual dialogue that builds bridges and fosters unity across traditions.
   
• Encourage youth leadership, mentorship, and intergenerational dialogue that sustain compassionate values.
   
• Address extremism, prejudice, and conflict through dialogue, education, and community resilience.
   
• Recognize the interconnectedness of spirituality and the environment, encouraging sustainable practices and reverence for the earth.
   
• Build partnerships among religious leaders, interfaith networks, secular organizations, and community movements to advance peace and justice.

Strategies

• Focus on shared values—compassion, empathy, love, hope, justice, peace, and sustainability—as the foundation for collaboration and social transformation.
   
• Promote spiritual literacy and education that foster respect for diverse traditions.
   
• Create sanghas, circles, and gatherings that integrate spiritual practice with compassionate action.
   
• Encourage communities to engage in service, advocacy, and solidarity to reduce suffering and build peace.
   
• Align with global initiatives such as RISE, the Parliament of the World’s Religions, Faith for Our Planet, and the Spirit of Humanity Forum.