Is Denying the Existence of Ghosts a Wrong View? A Warning from Venerable Thích Chân Quang

**SUMMARY:** Venerable Thích Chân Quang teaches about ghosts: Denying their existence constitutes a wrong view. Correctly understanding the world of spirits helps us live peacefully and avoid harming our merit.

Have you ever wondered where human beings go after death? Why do some homes echo with strange noises at night, or create the eerie feeling of being watched, even when no one is seen? In a recent dharma talk, Venerable Thích Chân Quang offered a profound reminder: the existence of ghosts is not merely folklore, but an integral part of right view within the Buddha's teachings.

**Wrong View: Denying the Supernatural Realm**

In the Nikaya scriptures, the Buddha provided very clear definitions for wrong view and right view. When asked by Brahmins about the causes for being reborn in heaven or falling into hell, the Buddha listed several erroneous beliefs that lead beings into unfortunate states. Notably, one such wrong view is the denial of the existence of heavens and hells.

"One who does not believe there is a realm of heavens, who does not believe there is a realm of hells, holds a type of wrong view."

Yet, many who call themselves Buddhists often deny the existence of these realms, believing only what is seen or heard is real. Venerable Thích Chân Quang emphasizes: this is a form of scientific superstition, a stubborn attachment that causes us to lose our correct understanding of the vast universe.

**Ghosts and Spirits: Differences and Naming**

Venerable Thích Chân Quang elaborates that in Vietnamese folk tradition, there is a distinction between *ma* and *quỷ*. *Quỷ* are more ferocious, possess spiritual power, and can cause trouble; whereas *ma* are often more timid and mainly intend to frighten people. There is a very subtle detail: Vietnamese people often use the classifier "con" before the word *ma*, as in "con ma." This can be considered an insult if the individual had a respectable life before death. The Venerable teaches:

"When they are called 'con ma,' one's merit is immediately harmed."

Therefore, we must be careful in our speech. Every time we casually label someone as a 'con ma,' we may inadvertently harm a spirit with merit and bring negative energy upon ourselves.

**Why Do Ghosts Favor Kitchens and Bathrooms?**

According to the Venerable, spirits lacking merit often congregate in two places within a home: the kitchen and the bathroom. The kitchen, because they are hungry and seek leftover food; food can even be spiritually "burnt" if they consume it. The bathroom, because the foul odor corresponds to the level of their merit.

"The foul smell of the bathroom attracts spirits. Why? Because their merit resonates with that type of odor."

He uses the analogy of body odor and human standing. Those with abundant merit are drawn to pleasant, refined scents. Those with little merit are attracted to foul smells and unclean places. Thus, what we are drawn to reflects our own merit and blessings. Be cautious: do not overuse perfume to "appear of a higher class," but rather practice generosity and venerate the Buddha to genuinely elevate your merit and blessings.

**Understanding to Avoid Deceit and Harm to Merit**

Without a clear understanding of the spiritual world, we easily fall into superstition and become vulnerable to exploitation by the unscrupulous. The Venerable warns: fraudulent spiritualists deceive us by inventing stories of "spirits following you" and then demand money to remove them. Or we might acquire a talisman to suppress ghosts, only to find it inadvertently attracts more spirits, causing chaos. Through lack of understanding, we harm our own merit.

"What is a talisman? It is spirit soldiers. It suppresses ten ghosts following your home, but if one is unsatisfied, it demands ten more."

This is why we must study the true Dharma, so we are not led astray by baseless superstitious claims. With correct understanding, we can handle situations properly and safely.

**The Lowest Principle – A Key to Enhancing Merit**

The Venerable shares an important principle from meditation: to subdue the mind, one must settle the mind low, to the bottom of the abdomen. Similarly, for society to improve, we must care for the poorest and most disadvantaged. For a class to excel, we must focus on teaching the weakest students. For the entire world to progress, we must protect animals and help the realm of ghosts and spirits. Because when we elevate the lower realms, the entire universe is uplifted.

"If we want a society to become wealthy, it is not about making the rich wealthier, but about ensuring the poor are no longer impoverished."

We should view ghosts with the eyes of compassion: they too are sentient beings suffering, who need our help through wholesome and virtuous energy.

**Practicing Right View for Peaceful Living**

Thus, when we understand that ghosts are also sentient beings, subject to cause and effect (karmic law), and worthy of pity, we will have a correct perspective on them. Do not despise or deny them; maintain a mind of compassion and practice goodness. Do not resort to wrong methods out of fear. Make your cultivation, generosity, and precept-keeping your true protection. When we possess merit and the spiritual authority that comes from practice, ghosts naturally dare not approach, and celestial beings will offer their protection.

Every day, let us return to a life of right view: believe in cause and effect, honor those above and yield to those below, and help those in dire need. This is the path leading to peace and happiness, for ourselves and for all beings who have strayed.