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1. Biocentrism Worldview
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2. 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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3. 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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4. 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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5. Ethical Implications of Kami
Belief
 Kami principle is attributed to realization of self-
awareness among Shinto believers.
 Shinto’s 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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6. 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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7. 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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8. 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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9. 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 believer’s effort in
attainment of spiritual state and self-
righteousness.
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10. 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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11. References
Lanza, R. & Berman, B. (2010). Biocentrism: How Life and
Consciousness AreThe KeyTo UnderstandingTheTrue
Nature OfThe Universe. Dallas,TX: Ben Bella Books.
Ono, S., &WoodardW. (2004). Shinto the KamiWay. 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: WestYorkshire: Pomona Press.
Yamakage, M. (2012). The Essence ofShinto:Japan’s Spiritual
Heart. NewYork City, NY: Kodansha USA.
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