Ghost? Christianity vs. Buddhism (Part 5)

Ghost? A dialog among Buddhist, Catholic and Christian (Christian and Catholic point of view as heard by the author)

-This is the 4th post of the dialog-
It has been a week since the dialog, memory is fading. I'll try my best to recall with the help of my notes.

The dialog started with Venerable Hui Xuan, Father Huang, Pastor Enoch and ended with Venerable Chang Hui

Pastor Huang started his speech after Venerable Hui Xuan

In Catholicism , we can categorize ghost into two the good and the evil. When Lucifer rebeled against God, he was banished from Heaven and casted into Hell. From thereon, the good ghost we call them angel, while the evil one is known as demon.

To be truthful, when I was a young boy, I was afraid of ghost. Not because I had ever seen a ghost, it was because the illusion and perception generated. During my schooling days, the toilet was rumored to be haunted. Although no one ever confirmed the existence of ghost there, the seculded toilet from the main building which had an eerie dark environment encouraged every one to think so. We fear because we do not see.

About exorcism or repelling evil spirit, we use the holy water, which has been sanctified by a priest of bishop.


Pastor Enoch continued after Father Huang

Ghost, in Christianity, is viewed as evil spirit sent by the devil. The devil existed for two purposes, to cast fear into us and to confuse us from the path of the righteous.

As the ghost has no form, it takes form to your greatest fear or greatest earthly attachment to mislead you. For example, they can transform to take form of your parents, relatives and friends to lead you astray. For example in Hong Kong, during paranormal discussion, people who encountered paranormal activities sighted the ghost as to be in long hair, white robe and floating. This, however, is a typical TVB (Hong Kong television) ghost.

Being possessed by evil spirit is another grave problem. However, we should clarify whether the victim is really possessed and in need to exorcism or he/she is suffering schizophrenia which in need of medical care. Both being possessed and schizophrenia show very very similar symptoms. As a rule of thumb, being possessed will show supernatural activities. For example, possessed and schizophrenia victims hear voices (asking them to commit suicide etc), but possessed victims will do supernatural activities such as maybe perform a few somersaults while he/she was not capable of doing so before possession.

Pastor Enoch also stated that people who are prone to paranormal activities are people who invite such or born with such capability. Playing Ouija board, tarot cards etc are ways to attract ghost to you.

He also told a story about a girl who played the kokkuri (spirit communication via board) which attracts a spirit to follow her home. However, she became friends with the spirit. The spirit even took care of her when she was sick. One day, the spirit asked her to commit suicide. The spirit became very pushy. The girl went to Pastor Enoch and she invited Christ into her life and the spirit left.

Pastor Enoch also gave a few example of paranormal encounters such as haunted hotel and what kind of attitude we should have if encounter ghost in the hotel room.

Pastor Enoch too emphasized that angels were created to serve man. Fallen angels (demon) want us to serve them instead. Since we are created to be above angels, why should we be afraid of them.

To avoid being disturb by paranormal activities, invite Christ in your life and with the Lord on the throne, no evil spirit may delude you.


(Hope this is as close as possible to the dialog on that day. Please forgive if there are any things left out or added on. If you have a better overview, please email it to properfaith@gmail.com)


-Proper faith-