Seeing Spirits While Reciting the Buddha's Name: Real or Illusion? And the Hidden Corners of Cause and Effect (Karmic Law)

Master Thích Chân Quang answers: Ninety percent of spirit sightings are real, but it is best not to see them at all. Along with deep lessons on killing, cause and effect (karmic law), and the interconnectedness of life.

Many people recount that while sitting and reciting the Buddha's name, they see strangers, or even departed spirits. Have you ever experienced such a chilling feeling? This seemingly very personal question was addressed by Master Thích Chân Quang in a dharma talk, and his answer gives us much to reflect upon.

Seeing Spirits While Reciting the Buddha's Name: Ninety Percent Are Real, But It Is Best Not to See Them

When someone reciting the Buddha's name sees a spirit, Master Thích Chân Quang confirms: "This means you have the conditions (dependent origination) to see beings from the other side. It is quite an extraordinary thing." But he also warns:

"It is best not to see them anymore, because we have not yet realized the path. Not seeing is the best. I tell them to simply practice and leave it at that. There is no need to make contact with each other. Nothing is more important than not making contact. Just continue practicing together, and make offerings of food to feed them."

Why? Because before realizing the path, we do not have enough wisdom to distinguish between the real and the illusory. The Master explains that ninety percent are truly spirits, but ten percent may be imagination. If we are curious or delighted, we create an opening for negative energies to attack. Instead, keep the mind/heart pure, without fear, without communicating—only recite the Buddha's name single-mindedly and make offerings of food to help them.

Killing Ants, Protecting the Environment: The Paradox of Compassion

Many people ask: If I spray insecticide to kill ants in order to protect stray cats, does that violate the precept against killing? The Master touches on the contradiction between loving all sentient beings and actions we must take when facing reality. He emphasizes:

"When we protect, when we keep the precept of not killing, we are first of all preserving the living environment of this Earth. That is the priority."

Therefore, if eliminating insects or mice is done to protect the living environment of all humanity, then it is reasonable. The Master gives another example: "One day, killing a dog is not as sinful as cutting down a tree." If the forests are destroyed, all life will perish completely. For this reason, practitioners need a broader perspective, placing the common good above all.

Cause and Effect (Karmic Law): Can Good Deeds Truly "Offset" Bad Ones?

Some people do good deeds and help many others, yet attack the Buddha and insult people. What is their karma like? The Master answers:

"Some things offset each other, adding and subtracting, but some things must be experienced separately, each on its own."

He gives an example: "When we help others, we receive the blessing of wealth. But when that blessing of wealth runs out, we begin descending into hell to repay the karmic result of having attacked the Buddha." This teaches us not to use acts of generosity to cover over a mind/heart of anger or arrogance. Every action carries its own karmic result.

No One Acts Alone, and No One Bears It Alone

At the end of the talk, the Master shared about the interconnectedness within cause and effect (karmic law). Many people believe that parents do good deeds to leave blessings from merit for their children and grandchildren. The Master explains this from a psychological perspective:

"In the interconnectedness of this whole world, everything is tightly linked. There is no one who acts alone and bears it alone. Nowhere is that so. Everything is interconnected."

Those with great blessings from merit will seek out families with virtue in which to be reborn, because they know such a place is worth living in. And if a father drinks himself drunk, his children must also suffer the hardship. Cause and effect (karmic law) is truly subtle: it lies not only in individual actions, but also in the bonds between one person and another.

Practice is not about escaping reality, but about seeing reality clearly so that we are not entangled by it. Every question, every answer from the Master is a lesson for each of us. Let us practice with mindfulness, keep a humble mind/heart, and open ourselves to all sentient beings.