Prayer for Love and Mercy

 I’ve been thinking about altruistic behavior, but the train of thought was veering off in so many different directions that I risked losing my way back; so, I’d like to wrap things up here. I previously wrote that being conscious of altruism helps one live a better life; when it comes to working as a member of society, there are two specific reasons for this. The first is that being conscious of altruism doubles the joy of work. The primary purpose of working is, of course, "to put food on the table." There is no time for high-minded platitudes. You need money for that, and earning that money is the first source of joy. However, if you look at society today (and perhaps it was always this way), the joy of work often stops right there. It’s all about whether the pay is good or how much you can earn. Yet, the very nature of work involves doing something that benefits others. When you meet someone’s needs, they say "thank you" and provide compensation. That joy of hea...

 While reflecting on the relationships between humans and crops like rice, or between humans and livestock, I realized something regarding the food chain pyramid I discussed in a previous post (about population issues) , so I’d like to add a few thoughts here. Since humans sit at the very top of the food chain pyramid, one might assume that an explosive rise in the human population would require a proportional increase in the animals and plants supporting them—and since that hasn't happened, population decline seemed inevitable. However, alongside human population growth, the plants (rice, wheat, corn, etc.) and animals (cattle, pigs, chickens, sheep, etc.) that serve as our food have indeed increased thanks to agriculture and livestock farming. Viewed in this light, perhaps the ecosystem pyramid—while heavily distorted with humans at the center—is actually managing to function after a fashion. What do you think? That said, beyond just food production, human population growth clea...

 Last time we considered the relationship between humans and rice, but I wondered if the same could be said for the relationship between humans and animals (livestock), so today I'd like to think about that. Humans cultivate rice for food, but from the rice's perspective, it could be said that it is thriving by being cultivated by humans. It has been overwhelmingly successful in increasing its numbers compared to wild plants by using humans. Humans are practically slaves to rice, aren't they? At least, that's what the rice might think. Now, what about cows? In exchange for supplying milk to humans, cows have been protected from carnivores by humans, and while other wild mammals have been steadily declining in number, cows have been able to increase their numbers. They have increased overwhelmingly. Humans think they have domesticated cows, but in reality, they are being used. Are humans servants of cows? In fact, in India, cows are considered sacred. Are chickens also s...

 What does the relationship between humans and rice look like from the rice's perspective? Rice seems like a poor, unfortunate existence, existing only to be eaten by humans, but is that really true? For plants, expanding their habitat and increasing their species is their primary objective. So, compared to the wild species before human cultivation, has rice increased or decreased? It has expanded its habitat to the absolute maximum, beyond what it could possibly be. Through human selective breeding, it has reached even Hokkaido in the north, where it couldn't survive in the wild. It's originally a tropical species. Furthermore, rice has been planted everywhere possible—even on mountain slopes, creating terraced fields—and even reclaiming land from the sea and lakes, planting it wherever possible, spreading throughout Japan and the world. It could be said that rice has successfully used humans to expand its habitat to the maximum. A winner? In the plant world? Wheat is the ...

 Last time, we considered altruistic behavior in the human world. Since humans are social creatures, even the most egoistic person must work to earn a living, and work means contributing to the benefit of others, thus inevitably leading to altruistic behavior. Furthermore, acts that seek only one's own benefit without altruism are often defined as crimes and subject to social sanctions. So, what about animals and plants other than humans? First, let's look at the relationship between plants and animals. Plants bloom flowers and bear fruit. Insects suck nectar from flowers, and animals eat the fruit. At first glance, it seems that plants are unilaterally used by animals, but when insects suck nectar, pollen attaches to their bodies, and those insects then go to other flowers to pollinate them. When animals eat the fruit, seeds are excreted in their feces, but sprouts grow from those seeds, so the plant, though unable to move, expands its habitat. In other words, even though each...

 Listening to the teachings of Ninomiya Kinjiro made me reflect on altruistic human behavior. His teachings are based on three pillars: 1. Diligence (working hard) 2. Moderation (keeping one's standard of living within one's means) 3. Sharing (giving away surplus wealth generated through point 2) However, the altruistic behavior consciously perceived within this framework is point 3, sharing, where surplus wealth is used for the benefit of society. Regarding point 1, diligence, in Edo-period rural areas, self-sufficiency was a major factor, so the self-interest of securing one's own food was strongly emphasized. However, in today's highly specialized society, work means contributing to the benefit of others, that is, providing goods and services that others need. In other words, altruism is already inherent in point 1, diligence. And in return, one receives compensation. Work is a perfect balance of altruism and self-interest. This is truly how the world should be. To l...