<p>Theravada tradition believe in the transferring of merit to the deceased in case they are in need of merit. If born in a relm where you can sence and rejoice in the meritorious deeds performed you can gain merit. This does not imply that these beings are fed.</p>

<p>There is a Ancient India and Sri Lankan practice in doing leaving food for the Petas but this doesn't relate much to Buddhism. Ratana Sutta does mention harantia balin. So the Buddha did not reject it but I don't think this should be taken as an endorsement also by the Buddha. Hence this practice is outside Buddhism where Buddhism don't accept or reject the social practice at that time. </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-06-28T21:37:52.323Z
2014-06-28T21:43:19.997Z
2014-06-28T21:43:19.997Z
Suminda Sirinath S. Dharmasena
<p>Yes, this tradition exists (existed?) among the Therevada as well:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>The Petavatthu is a Theravada Buddhist scripture, .... It is composed
  of 51 verse narratives describing specifically how the effects of bad
  acts can lead to rebirth into the unhappy world of petas (ghosts) in
  the doctrine of karma.[1] It gives prominence to the doctrine that
  giving alms to monks may benefit the ghosts of one's relatives</p>
</blockquote>

<p><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petavatthu" rel="nofollow">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petavatthu</a></p>

<blockquote>
  <p>They stand outside our dwellings, at our windows, at the corners of our
  streets; they stand at our doors, revisiting their old homes. When
  abundant food and drink is set before them, by reason of the past sins
  of these departed ones, their friends on earth remember them not. Yet
  do such of their kinsmen as are merciful bestow upon them at due
  seasons food and drink, pure, sweet and suitable. Let this be done for
  your departed friends, let them be satisfied. Then, gathering together
  here, the assembled spirits of out kinsmen rejoice greatly in a
  plentiful repast. “Long,” they say, “may our kinsmen live through whom
  we have received these things: to us offerings are made and the givers
  are not without reward” for in the land of the dead there is no
  husbandry, no keeping of flocks, no commerce ad with us, no
  trafficking for gold: the departed live in that world by what they
  receive in this.  As water fallen upon a height descends into the
  valley, so surely do alms bestowed by men benefit the dead. As the
  brimming rivers fill the ocean, so do alms bestowed by men benefit the
  dead. Let a man consider thus—” Such a one gave me this gift, such a
  one wrought me this good deed; they were my kinsmen, my friends, my
  associates.” <strong>Then let him give alms to the dead, mindful of past
  benefits.</strong> For weeping and sorrow and all manner of lamentation are of
  no avail, if their relatives stand thus sorrowing it benefits not the
  dead. But this charity bestowed by you, well secured in the
  priesthood, if it long bless the dead, then does it benefit them
  indeed. And the fulfillment of this duty to relatives to the dead is a
  great service rendered, to the priests a great strength given, by you
  no small merit acquired (Petavatthu, Khuddaka pátha XII-XIII, trans.
  R.C. Childers)</p>
</blockquote>

<p>ref: <a href="http://esoterx.com/2013/03/20/hungry-ghosts-the-diet-of-the-dead-among-the-grigori-preta-yidak-gaki-and-egui/" rel="nofollow">http://esoterx.com/2013/03/20/hungry-ghosts-the-diet-of-the-dead-among-the-grigori-preta-yidak-gaki-and-egui/</a></p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-12-16T13:01:39.520Z
What do you mean by Ghost, **if** Buddhism really talks about Ghosts?
Gokul NC
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-12-16T17:22:07.850Z
@GokulNC Pretas, ref. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Preta If you have a question about the role of pretas in Buddhism, post a question. There are many varieties of modern Buddhism, not all of them give the same importance or status to the realms myth or pretas (and the other fantastic creatures of Buddhist myths). StackExchange is about call Buddhist beliefs as they are and were, not to debate which sect is right.
MatthewMartin
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-06-28T17:42:30.783Z
Benefit of ghosts (by giving alms to sangha) does not mean *feeding* ghosts. Benefit could be spiritual, as ghosts seems to be sensitive for intentions and wishes.
catpnosis
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-06-28T18:13:50.730Z
Found a quote, they did offer food to ghosts. All this said, working out the rules of magic regarding pretas is a bit like working out the rules of magic for zombies, which are different for Vikings, old movies and the most recent movies.
MatthewMartin
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-06-28T18:16:51.190Z
There is old movies and new movies. But there is also thousands years traditions too. You shouldn't put them on the same level.
catpnosis
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-06-29T00:10:11.500Z
The bold part of your quote is understood to mean "for the dead", as evinced by the story that prompted the verses: http://www.metta.lk/pali-utils/Pali-Proper-Names/tirokudda_s.htm Your translation appears to be a mistranslation of the dative, which can either mean "to" or "for"
yuttadhammo
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-06-29T01:38:09.970Z
Interesting. In any case, I'm sure people even back then saw that the food set out for hungry ghosts wasn't consumed, so however it worked, it would have been via folk magic.
MatthewMartin
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-06-28T16:11:17.230Z
2014-06-28T18:14:28.610Z
2014-06-28T18:14:28.610Z
MatthewMartin
<p>A simple and direct answer is, 'Buddhism accepts the existence of ghosts and demons.' They are born as ghosts or demons because of their karma. Some demons are very powerful; they can even kill humans. They are powerful because of the good karma they accumulated in their early lives. However, if they use this power in a negative way, they will accumulate sins once again.
i heard some ghost/demon capable eat emotion as their meal. they strong when they absorb theses emotions.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2023-09-08T07:01:48.523Z
2023-09-08T07:01:48.523Z
TRUE
<p>Certain Buddhist schools perform rituals to offer food to hungry ghosts. And I've heard and read stories that psychic mediums at the rituals saw hungry ghosts came eating the food. Some also reported that they saw Buddha and Bodhisattas accompany the hungry ghosts.</p>

<p>I really wonder and would like to know if Theravada believes in these.</p>

<theravada>
Does Theravada believe in feeding food to hungry ghosts?
# Does Theravada believe in feeding food to hungry ghosts?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2014-06-28)

Certain Buddhist schools perform rituals to offer food to hungry ghosts. And I've heard and read stories that psychic mediums at the rituals saw hungry ghosts came eating the food. Some also reported that they saw Buddha and Bodhisattas accompany the hungry ghosts.

I really wonder and would like to know if Theravada believes in these.

**Tags:** theravada


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## 3 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2014-06-28. Score: 3

Theravada tradition believe in the transferring of merit to the deceased in case they are in need of merit. If born in a relm where you can sence and rejoice in the meritorious deeds performed you can gain merit. This does not imply that these beings are fed.

There is a Ancient India and Sri Lankan practice in doing leaving food for the Petas but this doesn't relate much to Buddhism. Ratana Sutta does mention harantia balin. So the Buddha did not reject it but I don't think this should be taken as an endorsement also by the Buddha. Hence this practice is outside Buddhism where Buddhism don't accept or reject the social practice at that time.


---

### Answer by username_2 on 2014-06-28. Score: 2

Yes, this tradition exists (existed?) among the Therevada as well:

> The Petavatthu is a Theravada Buddhist scripture, .... It is composed
> of 51 verse narratives describing specifically how the effects of bad
> acts can lead to rebirth into the unhappy world of petas (ghosts) in
> the doctrine of karma.[1] It gives prominence to the doctrine that
> giving alms to monks may benefit the ghosts of one's relatives

<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petavatthu>

> They stand outside our dwellings, at our windows, at the corners of our
> streets; they stand at our doors, revisiting their old homes. When
> abundant food and drink is set before them, by reason of the past sins
> of these departed ones, their friends on earth remember them not. Yet
> do such of their kinsmen as are merciful bestow upon them at due
> seasons food and drink, pure, sweet and suitable. Let this be done for
> your departed friends, let them be satisfied. Then, gathering together
> here, the assembled spirits of out kinsmen rejoice greatly in a
> plentiful repast. “Long,” they say, “may our kinsmen live through whom
> we have received these things: to us offerings are made and the givers
> are not without reward” for in the land of the dead there is no
> husbandry, no keeping of flocks, no commerce ad with us, no
> trafficking for gold: the departed live in that world by what they
> receive in this. As water fallen upon a height descends into the
> valley, so surely do alms bestowed by men benefit the dead. As the
> brimming rivers fill the ocean, so do alms bestowed by men benefit the
> dead. Let a man consider thus—” Such a one gave me this gift, such a
> one wrought me this good deed; they were my kinsmen, my friends, my
> associates.” **Then let him give alms to the dead, mindful of past
> benefits.** For weeping and sorrow and all manner of lamentation are of
> no avail, if their relatives stand thus sorrowing it benefits not the
> dead. But this charity bestowed by you, well secured in the
> priesthood, if it long bless the dead, then does it benefit them
> indeed. And the fulfillment of this duty to relatives to the dead is a
> great service rendered, to the priests a great strength given, by you
> no small merit acquired (Petavatthu, Khuddaka pátha XII-XIII, trans.
> R.C. Childers)

ref: <http://esoterx.com/2013/03/20/hungry-ghosts-the-diet-of-the-dead-among-the-grigori-preta-yidak-gaki-and-egui/>

> **Comments:**
> **username_4**: Benefit of ghosts (by giving alms to sangha) does not mean *feeding* ghosts. Benefit could be spiritual, as ghosts seems to be sensitive for intentions and wishes.  
> **username_2**: Found a quote, they did offer food to ghosts. All this said, working out the rules of magic regarding pretas is a bit like working out the rules of magic for zombies, which are different for Vikings, old movies and the most recent movies.  
> **username_4**: There is old movies and new movies. But there is also thousands years traditions too. You shouldn't put them on the same level.  
> **username_5**: The bold part of your quote is understood to mean "for the dead", as evinced by the story that prompted the verses: http://www.metta.lk/pali-utils/Pali-Proper-Names/tirokudda_s.htm Your translation appears to be a mistranslation of the dative, which can either mean "to" or "for"  
> **username_2**: Interesting. In any case, I'm sure people even back then saw that the food set out for hungry ghosts wasn't consumed, so however it worked, it would have been via folk magic.  
> **username_3**: What do you mean by Ghost, **if** Buddhism really talks about Ghosts?  
> **username_2**: @GokulNC Pretas, ref. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Preta If you have a question about the role of pretas in Buddhism, post a question. There are many varieties of modern Buddhism, not all of them give the same importance or status to the realms myth or pretas (and the other fantastic creatures of Buddhist myths). StackExchange is about call Buddhist beliefs as they are and were, not to debate which sect is right.  

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### Answer by username_6 on 2023-09-08. Score: 1

A simple and direct answer is, 'Buddhism accepts the existence of ghosts and demons.' They are born as ghosts or demons because of their karma. Some demons are very powerful; they can even kill humans. They are powerful because of the good karma they accumulated in their early lives. However, if they use this power in a negative way, they will accumulate sins once again.
i heard some ghost/demon capable eat emotion as their meal. they strong when they absorb theses emotions.


---

