Biocentrism Worldview

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Biocentrism Worldview

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Introduction

• Biocentrism was defined by Lanza and Barman .
• It is the belief that the needs and rights of
  human beings are not more important than those of
  other living things.
• It puts great emphasis on equal consideration for
  all living things.
• Biocentrism beliefs and theories have closely
  been associated with indigenous traditional
  practices .
• The essay is going to discuss biocentrism concept
  which is inherent in tradition of Karma in
  Hinduism and kami in Shinto beliefs..

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Kami

• Principle of kami in Shinto practices focus on
  power of nature and the universe.
• Kami is a spirit that was created from heavens
  and is present in all objects.
• Uniqueness of Shinto tradition lies in the belief
  the spirits of kami.
• They be it lives in all animals and objects of
  the universe.
• Shinto believers assert kami is found in
  inanimate animals, objects, physical features as
  well as plants

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Relation to Biocentrism

• There is acceptance of biocentric perspective in
  plants and animals .
• Shinto believers have great reverence for all
  plants and animals.
• They believe the kami spirit dwells in all living
  things and objects.
• Shinto believers consider, selected animals,
  plant, and physical features.
• These have demonstrated abilities that are
  supernatural.

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Ethical Implications of Kami Belief

• Kami principle is attributed to realization of
  self-awareness among Shinto believers.
• Shintos doctrine of kami emphasis importance of
  appreciating oneself as well as objects in the
  universe.
• Yamakage (2012) makes the argument that belief
  that kami exists in all living things .
• The spiritual world, through kami has been
  transformed into bodies of plants and animals.
• Co-existence between humans and constituents of
  the ecosystem has contributed to interaction that
  is harmonious between flora and fauna in the
  ecosystem.

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Karma

• Karma doctrine is a major fundamental pillar in
  Hinduism.
• Karma states that actions/thoughts of individual
  results to the outcome in their lives.
• These can be immediately, in near future or in
  some cases, in the afterlife.
• Through incarnation, the soul of an individual
  continues its journey suffering repercussions .

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Karma Doctrines and biocentric worldviews

• Large percentage of Hindus have adopted
  vegetarian diets.
• They are motivated by incarnation and karma
  beliefs.
• These are that they could be hurting their
  relatives who might have transformed into animals
  in their afterlife.
• They are known as Jains.
• These are pure vegetarians.

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Ethical Implications of the Karma Doctrine

• Actions of an individual are related directly to
  their consequences.
• Hindus thus practice righteousness and embraced
  harmony.
• Vegetarians have also indirectly contributed to
  maintenance of ecosystem.
• Adoption of conservative approach in their
  relationships with both wild and domestic animals.

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Similarities between the Concept of Kami and
Karma

• Both these concepts lay emphasis on the role
  played by the universe .
• This balances coexistence between the different
  elements of the environment.
• Two traditions focus on individual consequences
  in future.
• These indicate roles of a believers effort in
  attainment of spiritual state and
  self-righteousness.

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Differences between the Concept of Karma and Kami

• They are guiding doctrines to believers of Shinto
  and Hinduism.
• Karma consequences are likely to be experienced
  by believers in afterlife.
• Hindus strongly believe that they might be
  transformed to other organisms in their
  afterlife.
• Presence of spirits within the organism
  demonstrates the belief of kami from the karma
  doctrine.
• Karma however, does not entail spiritual
  possession of influence of a God.

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References

• Lanza, R. Berman, B. (2010). Biocentrism How
  Life and Consciousness Are The Key To         
  Understanding The True Nature Of The Universe.
  Dallas, TX Ben Bella Books.
• Ono, S., Woodard W. (2004). Shinto the Kami
  Way. North Claredon, VT Tuttle Publishing.
• Ratnakar, P. (2005). Hinduism (Evolution and
  Current Practices).New Delhi Lustre Press.
• Underwood, C. (2012). Shintoism The Indigenous
  Religion of Japan. Yorkshire West Yorkshire
  Pomona Press.
• Yamakage, M. (2012). The Essence of Shinto
  Japans Spiritual Heart. New York City, NY
            Kodansha USA.
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