No country, no culture, no person today is untouched by what happens in the rest of the world. Technological innovation, environmental degradation, economic gain & loss, nuclear weapons, instant communication have all created unprecedented familiarity among the world's many cultures. While previous conflicts over religious differences may have been significant and regrettable, they did not threaten the very survival of humanity--now, a single spark could ignite a powder keg of frightening proportions. The Dalai Lama maintains that the essential task of humanity in the 21st century is to cultivate peaceful coexistence. All faith traditions turn to compassion as a guiding principle for living a good life. It is the task of all people with an aspiration to spiritual perfection to affirm the fundamental value of compassion. In this way we can truly develop a deep recognition of the value of other faiths, and on that basis, we can cultivate genuine respect.--From publisher description.