Had the Dalai Lama been watching Star Trek next generation again, lol. Reminds me of the Borg collective.

I agree... I do feel for others.... I may not feel all their pain, but I may feel some of it. Their weakness has nothing to do with my empathy. I feel for all ... even the rich and powerful. I am open to their opinions and listen to their suggestions. That's me.

Buddhism has the "strictest" code I've ever encountered in a religion--because the whole idea is to look within, never stop going deeper, and work out absolutely everything "unskillful."

It's not a matter of "follow these commandments, do what the book says", etc. It's "your most important job is polish the gem of your loving heart, and you'll never be finished..."

I wish I lived in a country where that guiding principal was espoused by both my society and my government.

“The very purpose of religion is to control yourself, not to criticize others. Rather, we must criticize ourselves. How much am I doing about my anger? About my attachment, about my hatred, about my pride, my jealousy? These are the things which we must check in daily life.”
Dalai Lama

Love his philosophies.