History of the Preta Ghost
Beliefs and Faith › History of the Preta Ghost
Preta Ghost is a spirit in the belief system of Thai and Buddhist people in Southeast Asia, especially in Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia. It has a distinctive appearance: tall and thin body, black skin, a mouth as small as a needle hole, and a wailing, suffering cry. It often appears at night in forests, forest edges, or abandoned temples.
History and Beliefs about the "Preta Ghost"
In Buddhism: The word "Preta" originates from the Sanskrit word "Preta" (प्रेत) and the Pali word "Peta", meaning someone who has passed away or the spirit of the dead. It is believed to be a realm within the sensual world called the "Preta Realm" or "Preta Abode", a place of suffering for those who committed evil deeds in their human life—especially those involving stinginess, failure to give alms, or severe harm to others.
Alternatively,
"Preta" comes from the Pali word "Peta", meaning “one who has departed this world.” In a narrower sense, it refers to “a being born in the Preta realm,” which is one of the Four Woeful Realms:
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Hell
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Preta (Hungry Ghost)
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Asura (Demon)
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Animal
In Thai folklore: The belief in Preta in Thailand is influenced by Buddhism but also incorporates indigenous beliefs about ancestral spirits and making merit for the dead. The striking appearance of the Preta in Thai belief—tall, thin, with a long neck and small mouth—is often viewed as a symbolic representation of extreme suffering from hunger.
Role in Thai society: Preta plays an important role in teaching about karma and the importance of merit-making in Thai culture. Stories about Preta appear in literature, murals, and various traditions as moral reminders to do good, avoid evil, and dedicate merit to those who have passed away.
Preta arises as a result of evil karma, such as disrespecting parents, slandering monks, embezzling temple property, or seriously harming others.
Characteristics of Preta in Thai Beliefs
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Extremely tall, black-pale skin, very thin—tall like a sugar palm tree, with only skin and bones. Long neck, big belly, hands the size of palm leaves, but with a mouth as tiny as a needle hole.
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Unable to eat anything because it burns or turns into filth.
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Constantly weeping due to hunger and suffering.
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Always hungry, unable to consume food due to a small mouth. Often appears to seek merit from the living.
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Commonly appears during merit-making ceremonies for the dead or at places where it committed misdeeds in the past.
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