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Preta (Hungry Ghosts)
Beings with huge, bloated bellies and needle-thin necks. They are tormented by insatiable hunger and thirst but can never satisfy it. Their suffering results from greed in past lives.
Ancient - Present
Asia (Buddhist/Hindu regions)
100000+ witnesses
Preta are the hungry ghosts of Buddhist and Hindu tradition.
The Concept
According to Buddhist cosmology:
Preta are beings:
- Cursed with constant hunger
- Can never be satisfied
- Result of past greed
- One of six realms
- Suffering existence
Appearance
Described as:
- Bloated, distended belly
- Neck thin as needle
- Huge mouth
- Sometimes breathing fire
- Emaciated limbs
Their Torment
They suffer because:
- Food turns to fire
- Water becomes poison
- They cannot swallow
- Never satisfied
- Eternal craving
Causes
Beings become Preta through:
- Extreme greed in life
- Jealousy
- Deception
- Miserliness
- Attachment to material
The Feeding
Some traditions:
- Offer food to Preta
- During Hungry Ghost Festival
- Ease their suffering
- Generate merit
- Help them move on
Hungry Ghost Festival
Celebrated in:
- China (Ghost Month)
- Japan (Obon)
- Southeast Asia
- Offerings made
- Gates of hell open
Visibility
Some say:
- Preta walk among us
- Usually invisible
- Seen at crossroads
- Near garbage
- Drawn by waste