What are pretas in Buddhism?

What are pretas in Buddhism?

Author: Nicholas Bright Haight September 22, 2023 Duration: 15:30

Bright on Buddhism Episode 70 - What are pretas in Buddhism? What is their status in the canon? How ought we understand them?


Resources: Firth, Shirley. End of Life: A Hindu View. The Lancet 2005, 366:682-86; Sharma, H.R. Funeral Pyres Report. Benares Hindu University 2009.; Garuda Purana. J.L. Shastri/A board of scholars. Motilal Banarsidass, Delhi 1982.; Garuda Purana. Ernest Wood, S.V. Subrahmanyam, 1911.; Monier-Williams, Monier M. Sir. A Sanskrit-English dictionary. Delhi, India : Motilal Banarsidass Publishers, 1990. ISBN 81-208-0069-9.; Adrian Cirlea, Josho (29 August 2017). "Contemplating the Suffering of Hungry Ghosts (Pretas)". Amida-Ji Retreat Temple Romania.; Hackley, Rungpaka; Hackley, Chris (2015). "How the Hungry Ghost Mythology Reconciles Materialism and Spirituality in Thai Death Rituals". Qualitative Market Research. 4 (18): 427–441. doi:10.1108/QMR-08-2014-0073.; Tzohar, Roy (2017). "Imagine Being a Preta: Early Indian Yogācāra Approaches to Intersubjectivity". Sophia. 56 (2): 337–354. doi:10.1007/s11841-016-0544-y. S2CID 171169300.; Venerable Yin-shun. The Way to Buddhahood. Massachusetts: Wisdom Publications: 1998.; Baroni, Helen J. Ph.D. The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Zen Buddhism. New York: The Rosen Publishing Group, Incorporated: 2002.; Gregory, Peter N., ed. Inquiry Into the Origin of Humanity. Hawaii: University of Hawaii Press: 1995.; Eberhardt, Wolfram. Chinese Festivals. New York: Abelard-Schuman Ltd.: 1958.; Stephen F. Teiser (1996). The Ghost Festival in Medieval China. Princeton University Press.; Eberhard, Stephen F. The Ghost Festival in Medieval China. New Jersey: Princeton University Press: 1988.; Orzech, Charles D. (1989). "Seeing Chen-Yen Buddhism: Traditional Scholarship and the Vajrayāna in China". History of Religions. 29 (2): 87–114. doi:10.1086/463182. ISSN 0018-2710. JSTOR 1062679. S2CID 162235701; DeBernardi, Jean Elizabeth, and Jean DeBernardi. Rites of Belonging: Memory, Modernity & Identity in a Malaysian Chinese Community. Stanford: Stanford University Press 2004.

Do you have a question about Buddhism that you'd like us to discuss? Let us know by finding us on email or social media! https://linktr.ee/brightonbuddhism

Credits:

Nick Bright: Script, Cover Art, Music, Voice of Hearer, Co-Host

Proven Paradox: Editing, mixing and mastering, social media, Voice of Hermit, Co-Host


Nicholas Bright Haight brings his academic background and personal curiosity to each episode of Bright On Buddhism. As a scholar of East Asian Buddhism currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Religion, with a specialization in pre-modern Japanese Buddhist architecture, Nick approaches these conversations with both depth and accessibility. The discussions unfold in a relaxed, question-and-answer style, making often complex philosophical and historical ideas feel approachable and immediately relevant. You’ll hear explorations that draw from his specific research areas, like Japanese Buddhist historical responses to cultural shifts, while also addressing the broader, timeless questions at the heart of the tradition. This isn’t a formal lecture series, but rather a thoughtful dialogue meant for anyone with an interest in how these ancient teachings intersect with modern life. The Bright On Buddhism podcast creates a space where scholarly insight meets casual conversation, demystifying topics without losing their profound essence. Whether you're well-versed in Buddhist thought or just beginning to explore spirituality and religion, these episodes offer a grounded and informative perspective.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 252

Bright On Buddhism
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