Compassion: Why is it Failing?

Compassion is at the heart of all the major religions, so why do we find ourselves in our present state?

This conference looked at both compassion in ourselves, as individuals, and compassion as it is understood and practiced in the wider world community.
Speakers from different faiths talked about their understanding of compassion and why compassion appears to be failing to bring about a peaceful and just society in our world today.

SPEAKERS

Lama Yeshe Losal Rinpoche A very senior and renowned Buddhist Monk, Abbot of Samye Ling Monastery in Dumfries, and the Buddhist Retreat and Interfaith Centre for World Peace, Holy Island, off the coast of Scotland.

Prof Michael, A. Barnes Dean of Research Students, Theology, at Heythrop College, University of London. He is a Jesuit Priest and former Director of the Westminster Interfaith Forum and he teaches comparative religions.

Qamar Bhatti Khan A Muslim who is committed to Interfaith work in the Midlands and Chairman of the MRB Foundation which works to promote peace, nurture community cohesion and challenge extremism.

Frances Deegan A Committed Quaker Universalist with a long standing interest in the similarities in the teachings of the major religions on compassion.

Dr Hannah Gilbert is a social anthropologist who researches extraordinary experiences and runs workshops on compassionate approaches to health and wellbeing (mainly Compassion Focused Therapy and Mindfulness). Google: Dr Hannah Gilbert for more information

For a more detailed summary see this article by Dorothy Buglass