World Compassion Day (28/11)

World Compassion Day (WCD), or World Mercy Day, is celebrated annually in the world on November 28.

The initiator of the establishment of this humane holiday was the Indian poet, journalist and public figure — Pritish Nandy.

The main idea of Day — is promoting a lifestyle based on ahimsa. Ahimsa — is a behavior and principle of action in which the first requirement is — non-harm and pain in any living form, that is, non-violence in its broad sense — non-killing, non-harm to all living things (people, animals, plants) never and in any way — by thought, no word, no deed.

The term is taken from Jainism (Indian religious movement) and is also an important principle in other religions. As a vow, ahimsa is practiced in other Eastern theological schools — Buddhism, Jainism, Hinduism and yoga.

By the way, Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violence was also formed under the influence of ahimsa. Therefore, it is not surprising that India has become the birthplace of today’s holiday, and the principles of ahimsa have not lost their relevance today.

The principles of ahimsa have not lost their relevance today (Photo: © SimpleFoto/Photobank Photodjenika)

Moreover, the organizers of the holiday not only call for a reduction in evil in the world, but say that the behavior and actions of people should be directed against evil itself, and not against people who create it (the principle of lack of hatred). There are also principles in Christianity that directly correspond to ahimsa, — these are the commandments «Do not kill» and «Love your neighbor as yourself».

Compassion Day was first celebrated in 2012 and was dedicated to the fate of animals, the need for compassion for living beings on the planet and the importance of vegetarianism. Its celebration took place in Mumbai (India), with the participation of the 14th Dalai Lama and activists from different countries. Since then, it has been held annually, and on this Day, supporters of the principles of ahimsa and compassion call on the world community for peace, love and mutual understanding.

The Day was first celebrated in 2012 and was dedicated to the fate of animals (Photo: © MNStudio /Photobank Photojenica)

According to Day — founder Pritish Nandi, today's date could become a «global forum for inspiring and supporting change on social, political and environmental platforms to make the value of compassion workable in our time». «If we don't go back to ahimsa, we won't be able to make the world a better place for future generations», — he says.

I am also pleased with the fact that every year the number of not only patrons of the arts, but also people helping strangers and volunteering, donating and charity is growing. This became especially true during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Let us remind you that among the «good» holidays in the world, other significant dates are celebrated: World Kindness Day, International Day dedicated to Tolerance, International Day of Charity and others.



Postcard «November 28 — World Compassion Day»

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