Is Spirituality Real? From a Samsung Phone Capturing Ghosts to the Teachings of Venerable Thich Chan Quang

Twenty years ago, on a mountain at night, Venerable Thich Chan Quang dreamed of President Ho Chi Minh. The President wore monk’s robes, leaned on a staff, and his eyes shone with bright power. After giving instructions, he walked away so quickly that the teacher could not keep up. Startled awake, the teacher realized something profound: “The extraordinary talent of President Ho Chi Minh is something ordinary people cannot follow.” From this dream, he reflected on mysterious realms rarely seen by humans and began teaching us about spirituality.

Science Pushing Back Against Deities

We often believe science will explain everything. But reality is more complex. Astronomers once thought a star blinked every two minutes. Only when technology advanced did they realize it was two stars orbiting each other. In the past, people blamed rain on the Rain God, floods on the River God, or plagues on punishing deities. But as science explained natural conditions, these gods “retired.” Venerable Thich Chan Quang asserted: “As science progresses, deities gradually recede.”

Yet Science Also Discovers Spirituality

When digital technology became sophisticated, we touched another world. A Samsung phone camera can see the green of leaves invisible to the naked eye; it even captures images behind shadows—strange figures. Many security cameras worldwide have recorded “ghost” apparitions. This is not fantasy but a puzzle for science. Therefore, keep a clear head. The teacher taught: “A person with wisdom does not simply like or dislike, deny or accept, but objectively seeks what the truth is.”

Science struggles to explain everything fully. This is where Buddhism enters.

Buddhism – The Path of Truth

Buddhism is not a belief system for debate. It is a path to seek truth. The teacher emphasized: “Living honestly is morality. Striving to find the truth is wisdom.”

This is why Einstein, after reading many religious scriptures, exclaimed: “Buddhism is the guide leading humanity toward future progress.” He saw that the Buddha’s teachings on suffering, dependent origination, and impermanence aligned with modern scientific discoveries. Buddhism foresaw truths that science took centuries to prove.

Why Do Humans Always Ponder Spirituality?

Humans differ from animals. A loyal dog is happy just being fed and petted. It never dreams of becoming the master. But an employee already dreams of replacing their boss in their mind. Venerable Thich Chan Quang said: “When you meet someone who is not content with their lot, who has goals ahead—sometimes called ambition, sometimes progressiveness, sometimes idealism—you must understand that such people are of the intelligent kind.”

This tendency to rise above makes humans constantly ask: Is there a higher world? Where does my soul go? That is why we cannot stop pondering spirituality.

Three Characteristics of Spirituality

The teacher provisionally defined spirituality as having three layers. First are metaphysical realms: ghost realms, demon realms, heavenly realms, and holy realms. Second are holy qualities: morality far beyond the ordinary. Third are supernatural abilities, such as intuition knowing what others think. Remember the story of Confucius lost on the road, hungry for days yet calmly playing his zither—that is holy quality. An honest official who died, became a deity, sent dreams, and healed relatives—that is supernatural ability.

The teacher recounted a story of an honest cadre who, after death, transmitted energy to his sister-in-law suffering from cancer, and she recovered. He explained: “When a good official dies, they often become a deity. This is cause and effect (karmic law).”

Practicing to Live in Truth

Through this dharma talk, we realize spirituality is not superstition but part of a universe we do not yet understand. Do not hastily deny it, nor easily believe it. Seek the truth objectively. The path to truth is living honestly and practicing according to the Buddha’s teachings. As the teacher said: “Those with true honesty and wisdom continually advance spiritually and intellectually, moving deeper into profound spirituality.”

Begin with sincerity, so your heart opens to the deep mystery of the spiritual world.