Dalai Lama Quote on Compassion

COMPASSION
USUALLY, OUR CONCEPT
OF COMPASSION OR LOVE REFERS
TO THE FEELING OF CLOSENESS
WE HAVE WITH OUR FRIENDS AND
LOVED ONES.  SOMETIMES
COMPASSION ALSO CARRIES A
SENSE OF PITY.  THIS IS WRONG.
ANY LOVE OR CAMPASSION WHICH
ENTAILS LOOKING DOWN ON THE OTHER
IS NOT GENUINE COMPASSION.
TO BE GENUINE, COMPASSION MUST
BE BASED ON RESPECT FOR THE OTHER
AND ON THE REALIZATION THAT OTHERS
HAVE THE RIGHT TO BE HAPPY AND
OVERCOME SUFFERING, JUST
AS MUCH AS YOU.  ON THIS BASIS,
SINCE YOU CAN SEE THAT OTHERS ARE
SUFFERING, YOU CAN DEVELOP A GENUINE SENSE OF CONCERN FOR THEM.

H.H. THE XIVTH DALAI LAMA