Session 2: Compassion as a Path to Freedom

This panel will explore the central role of compassion in both theory and practice in the Dharma traditions, with specific focus on Jainism, Buddhism, Sikhism, and Hinduism. Across these diverse spiritual paths, compassion is not only a virtue but also a transformative practice that shapes the way practitioners engage with themselves, others, and the world as they pursue liberation. Scholars will elucidate the unique expressions of compassion within each tradition, examining how compassion serves as a path to spiritual freedom, liberation, social harmony, and ethical living. The panel will highlight the philosophical underpinnings, practical applications, and transformative power of compassion as taught in each tradition, while demonstrating their applicability in contemporary society.