Final answer:
The karmic cause of the animal realm in Eastern philosophies like Hinduism and Buddhism is closely linked to an individual's actions in their past lives, where positive deeds lead to beneficial rebirth and harmful actions can result in rebirth in a lower form, such as an animal.
Step-by-step explanation:
The concept of karma is central to several Eastern religions and philosophies, notably Hinduism and Buddhism. At its core, karma is a spiritual principle of cause and effect that connects the deeds of individuals to their future circumstances, impacting their successive lifetimes as they move through samsara, or the cycle of rebirth. The karmic cause of the animal realm is therefore deeply intertwined with the actions and ethical conduct observed in a being's previous life. Positive actions, such as kindness and adherence to one's dharma, generate positive karma and increase the likelihood of rebirth in a higher form. Conversely, harmful actions lead to negative karma, potentially resulting in rebirth as an animal or a lower form.
Within the Hindu tradition, karma operates as a law requiring that every action must have a consequence, and this causal chain is believed to be so well-ordered that some assert it implies the existence of a divine force ensuring karmic justice. The discussion of karma in Buddhism echoes similar themes, with the Buddhist Noble Eightfold Path guiding accruing positive karma, thereby influencing one's rebirth. Non-violence, or ahimsa, is heavily emphasized in these philosophies, as violence and harm are thought to bind the soul further to the material world and samsara.
Exploring the karmic cause of the animal realm involves grappling with these profound and complex teachings that emphasize the interconnectedness of all beings. The idea that our actions in one life can determine our form in the next life instills a sense of moral responsibility and the potential for spiritual liberation through disciplined living. The goal for many practitioners within these religious frameworks is ultimately to achieve enlightenment or moksha, a state where the soul is freed from the continuous cycle of rebirth and one attains a complete understanding of the world.