Do Buddhists believe in spirits?
National treasure of Japan, Gaki Zoshi, depiction of hungry ghosts (petas), 12th Century
The Buddha confirmed the presence in the world of non-human beings invisible to the naked eye. The existence of these beings has been verified over the years by gifted meditators who have developed the faculties necessary to perceive them. The vast majority of Buddhists who are not able to verify the truth in this matter take it on trust. Others of a more skeptical disposition reserve their judgment.
Buddhist teachers consider that more important than arousing faith in the existence of such invisible beings is instilling wise attitudes toward them. The Buddha taught that all beings without exception are out fellow wanderers in the realm of birth and death, and as such they should not be worshipped or bribed with offerings. Buddhists are taught to cultivate an attitude toward non-human beings of respect and kindness. By doing so they become beloved of these beings and free of danger from them. And is there are cases where phenomena perceived as spirits are simply products of human unconscious, the same kind of attitude is the most healing.
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Source:
- Without and Within – Ajahn Jayasaro
Ryokan Says
There are many stories about how meditators experience what it seems to be supernatural events, is probable that there’s an element of belief in how those events are interpreted within their spectrum of experience; some would define them has a contact with non-human beings while others would define them has hallucinations of an altered state of mind, however the fundamental experience is the same in both, whether it comes from earing perception, taste, tact, vision, smell, or a mental event, our relationship with it must be the same, has Ajahn Jayasaro said, the attitude of respect and kindness is the most healing independently of the cause or interpretation we give to these unusual experiences.
Milarepa (a well-known Tibetan yogi, XI century) went to meditate in a cave full of insane beings during his retreat to the mountains. Hundreds of demons were harassing him, perturbing his meditation practice. He tried different methods to ease those beings: reciting mantras, practicing mudras, intense meditation, and directing his compassion to these. They went away, but there were one very persistent that stayed. Finally this being gave up when Milarepa with a friendly and compassionate attitude accepted anything that this being wanted to do to him, with complete disposition Milarepa conquered him with the use of loving kindness.
~Ryokan
