Transfer merit to peta

A discussion on all aspects of Theravāda Buddhism
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D1W1
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Transfer merit to peta

Post by D1W1 »

Hi all,

In Mahayana Buddhism, there are rituals dedicated especially for hungry ghosts, helping them to alleviate their suffering. In Theravada Buddhism, is there any such activity or ritual, dedicating merits for hungry ghosts, not just departed relatives but hungry ghosts in general. Thanks.
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Bhikkhu Pesala
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Re: Transfer merit to peta

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DooDoot
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Re: Transfer merit to peta

Post by DooDoot »

My impression is hungry ghosts are searching for love. This might be why making offerings to hungry ghosts brings benefits to hungry ghosts. Where as making an offering to a person that is fulfilled & content may not benefit that person greatly or at all. :heart:
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BKh
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Re: Transfer merit to peta

Post by BKh »

Here is an easy to read version of the Petavatthu. There is no on-line text version, but there is a free audio version.

https://mahamevnawabm.org/stories-of-gh ... etavatthu/
My impression is hungry ghosts are searching for love.
Mostly they are searching for food. :-) I don't think there is support in the canon for ghosts searching for love. But it could be there somewhere.

Really, the Petavatthu is the best place to get info on all things ghost related, especially when it comes to merit sharing.
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DooDoot
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Re: Transfer merit to peta

Post by DooDoot »

BKh wrote: Sat Apr 07, 2018 10:38 amMostly they are searching for food.
Its doesn't appear that way in the link provided. The hungry ghosts are hungry for sensuality, it seems; hungry for love:
Your body is as beautiful as an angel and you are floating in the sky. But your mouth is being eaten by worms and is very smelly. What have you done in your previous life?
You are young and surrounded by male and female deities. You look very happy with all the pleasures that you have. But in the daytime, you experience very painful feelings. What did you do in your previous life?
That prince experiences all these wonderful things as a result of his previous good karma, but he is obsessed by delightful forms, sounds, smells, tastes, and touches... One day he went to a park and enjoyed dancing, singing, and playing sports.... Arrogance caused this misfortune. Having understood the danger of too much enjoyment, wise people should be very humble.
There is always an official executioner. If you try to take his place, It is like trying to be a master carpenter and cutting wood. If you try to cut wood like a master carpenter, you will only hurt your hand.

https://soundcloud.com/doodoot/paticcasamuppada
https://soundcloud.com/doodoot/anapanasati
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Kusala
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Re: Transfer merit to peta

Post by Kusala »

D1W1 wrote: Sat Apr 07, 2018 4:14 am Hi all,

In Mahayana Buddhism, there are rituals dedicated especially for hungry ghosts, helping them to alleviate their suffering. In Theravada Buddhism, is there any such activity or ritual, dedicating merits for hungry ghosts, not just departed relatives but hungry ghosts in general. Thanks.
Yes, skip to 8:30 - 10:20 https://www.dhammatalks.org/Archive/y20 ... _Merit.mp3
"He, the Blessed One, is indeed the Noble Lord, the Perfectly Enlightened One;
He is impeccable in conduct and understanding, the Serene One, the Knower of the Worlds;
He trains perfectly those who wish to be trained; he is Teacher of gods and men; he is Awake and Holy. "

--------------------------------------------
"The Dhamma is well-expounded by the Blessed One,
Apparent here and now, timeless, encouraging investigation,
Leading to liberation, to be experienced individually by the wise. "
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