About
Our Vision and Mission
Imagine a world where compassion guides every action, decision, and relationship. Our vision is a planet where every individual recognizes the inherent worth of every being, leading to a harmonious and sustainable future for all. The Dalai Lama Centre for Compassion offers hope and enlightenment in a world that often yearns for kindness and understanding. Our mission is simple yet profound: to nurture and spread compassion in every corner of our global community.
Our Inspiration
At the heart of our centre is His Holiness, the 14th Dalai Lama, a living embodiment of compassion and wisdom. His teachings and life's work inspire us to cultivate compassion as the guiding force in our lives.
“If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.”
His Holiness the Dalai Lama
What We’ve Achieved
Since 2014, the DLCC has organised international conferences on a range of topics relating to the ethics of compassion. These have brought together academic researchers with representatives of the professions, the different faith traditions and members of the wider public. Building on the Dalai Lama’s insight that ‘while human beings can survive without religion, we cannot survive without compassion, the Centre has also organized lectures and seminars in Oxford with a particular focus on how compassion is understood across different cultures and faith traditions. Many of these are available via the DLCC’s YouTube channel.
In September 2015, the DLCC hosted the Dalai Lama at a series of events in Oxford. One of the events was a meeting between the Dalai Lama and a gathering of schoolchildren from three different local schools, during which he spoke of the need for children to have an ethical education based on secular principles and focused on compassion. As a direct result of this meeting, the centre’s compassion education projects, Compassion Matters and SEE Learning UK, were launched in 2018 and 2022. Since their launch, our compassion education projects have reached over 25,000 children and young people in over 300 education settings. In 2024, the centre is launching its new project focused on supporting adults to develop a compassionate mindset, Cognitively Based Compassion Training (CBCT).
What We Do
Compassion Education: We are dedicated to teaching individuals of all ages and backgrounds the transformative power of compassion. Our educational programs, Cognitively Based Compassion Training (CBCT for Adults) and Social Emotional and Ethical Learning (SEE Learning for Children and Young People), encompass mindfulness, emotional intelligence, and practical exercises that nurture empathy and kindness.
Community Engagement: We believe that compassion knows no boundaries. We actively engage with local and international communities to promote dialogue, understanding, and unity among diverse cultures and faiths. Through collaborative initiatives and service projects, we aim to bridge divides and foster a sense of interconnectedness.
Research and Scholarship: The Dalai Lama Centre for Compassion is committed to advancing the scientific understanding of compassion. We support groundbreaking research projects exploring compassion's physical, psychological, and societal benefits, contributing to the global knowledge base.
Events and Conferences: Our centre hosts a wide range of events, including conferences, lectures, and workshops. These gatherings bring together thought leaders, scholars, and practitioners to share insights and strategies for making compassion an integral part of daily life.