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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.