Ghost

annoy-you-must SG

Can beings from the hungry ghost realms and the hell being realms harm us directly?

I'm sure many have heard of stories of ghostly encounters such as ghost possessions. There are also stories of how when people accidentally step on offerings but did not apologise, they had strange encounters. Of course, there's still the stories on how NS-men had some funny encounters after uttering nonsense in the jungles.

Such stories, though prevalent, sound totally unscientific and un-buddhistic to me. But I would still like to double check here.

If animals, which also belong to the lower realm, is able to harm us directly, can these so-called 'ghost' harm us too?

An Eternal Now SG

Ghost do not usually harm us -- unless we owe them something, or harmed them in our past lives. If we killed someone and the ghost wants revenge, they can continue to haunt us in this lifetime.

As for NSmen, I think, ghost will not disturb them unless they disturb the ghost.

wilsonhao SG

I've always heard from taoist or folk stories than some ghost tries to take our lives away so that they can be reborn as humans again..I seriously wonder how true it is. Perhaps its only what the ghost thinks.

As we have learnt about karma, we cant try to go against it. No matter how many lives they take, only karma can determine them to be reborn as humans. So the only way they can become humans is to do more good deeds and repent their mistakes. Killing people wont get them any further.

May i ask those who are expert in this, how true is the rumour people speak about?

An Eternal Now SG

No, thats not possible. If a ghost kills a human being, it will only increase his bad karma and possibly descend into even lower realms (such as hell).

wilsonhao SG

Yah thats what i always think too. But just to double check. Thx

sinweiy SG

Originally posted by wilsonhao:
I've always heard from taoist or folk stories than some ghost tries to take our lives away so that they can be reborn as humans again..I seriously wonder how true it is. Perhaps its only what the ghost thinks.

As we have learnt about karma, we cant try to go against it. No matter how many lives they take, only karma can determine them to be reborn as humans. So the only way they can become humans is to do more good deeds and repent their mistakes. Killing people wont get them any further.

May i ask those who are expert in this, how true is the rumour people speak about?

hmm..these ghosts must be deeply deluded to be Attached to such view. ghosts realm is about strong attachment. they can be Attached to anything.
i think to be reborn out of ghost realm, they will need to let go(exhaust) of their attachment (karma).
i think killing people will also add to thei karma of hatred and fall even lower to the hell realm.

imho.

/\

yamizi SG

I think it is possible for ghosts to harm us but then I don't think they so eat-full-nothing-to-do to harm people. 'cos if your ghosts are the one from the hungry ghost realm, most probably they are in such misery that they won't even entertain you.

If you consider them unbuddhistic (from this I assume that you're a buddhist), then you shouldn't be afraid. If you faith is firm with the triplegem, nothing and I mean nothing can harm you.

Have Faith =)

marcteng SG

why some people are possessed?

how to prevent one from being possessed?

wilsonhao SG

some people possess probrably because their mind are not positive or we call it in chinese 正，or if one's immune system is not that good(for eg. sick). It can also be due to karma one has done in his/her previous life. One more is that people often deal with occult matters, like medium tang ki or evoke spirits etc. I have one relative who was once possessed by my mother's grandmother because this relative is often exposed to temple mediums. Just like some people say, dont play with fire and you'll not get burnt.

To prevent such a risk, taking refuge in the triple gem is a wise thing to do. Sincerely repenting for our past bad karma is also a good way. To avoid negative energy, one has to be 正.

marcteng SG

if u got unwholesome thoughts, is it cos got those spirits or ghosts besides whispering at you to do some unwholesome things?

wilsonhao SG

Sometimes unwholesome thought can be influence of planets, stars, surrounding or even anything. Its not only spirit. But when you truly understand that it is an unwholesome thought, then try to ignore it. Sometimes we cant control what we think seriously. But we can choose to agree with or decline the negative thought. The choice is still ours at the end of the day.