In Buddhism, it is often said that after a person dies, if they do not transcend to become a deity, they will generally become a spirit. Therefore, when we mention the liberation of spirits, we must first understand the nature of the soul.
The essence of life, after the body has died, is referred to as spirit (soul). In popular belief, people often think that after death, a person becomes a ghost and will remain a ghost forever. However, in Buddhism, we can never accept such a notion; otherwise, we could not discuss the terms of liberation.
Buddhism recognizes that the mortal world of sentient beings includes six realms: heaven, humans, Asuras, ghosts, animals (such as cows, horses, ants, mosquitoes, and other creatures), and hell. In these six realms, beings are born and die repeatedly, a process known as the six realms of samsara. Therefore, after one dies, there is a 1 in 6 chance that they may become a ghost. Buddhism offers a path for individuals to be liberated and transcend the cycle of birth and death, which is referred to as liberation.
Typically, after death, aside from those who are extremely wicked and are immediately cast into hell, very virtuous individuals will ascend to heaven. In contrast, ordinary people who lack sufficient merit will be reborn right away. A soul that has not yet been reborn is not considered a ghost; in Buddhism, it is called “intermediate body” or “intermediate spirit”. This refers to a type of existence awaiting rebirth after death. Many people mistakenly refer to these intermediate beings as ghosts; in reality, they are a type of spiritual essence that remains attached to a very small amount of the body’s residual energy, not a ghost.
A soul that has not yet been reborn is not a ghost.
The duration of the intermediate state is typically 49 days, during which the soul awaits the opportunity for a suitable rebirth. Therefore, during this seven times seven days of mourning, if family and friends perform good deeds, it can have a significant effect. For example, offering items that the deceased cherished to Buddhist practices, helping those who are sick and impoverished, and stating that these acts are to accumulate merit for the deceased can help them attain a better rebirth.
Thus, Buddhism promotes the liberation of spirits, ideally within the period of seven times seven days. If actions are taken after this period, while they may still be beneficial, they will only help increase the deceased’s merit and cannot change their rebirth destination.
For instance, if someone committed many evils in their lifetime and is destined to be reborn as a cow or pig, during the 49 days following their death, if their family or friends perform many good deeds for them and help them hear the chanting of monks during this waiting period, they may repent and redirect their intentions towards goodness. This could allow them to be reborn as a human rather than as a cow or pig. However, if they are already reborn among pigs or cows, performing good deeds in Buddhism can improve their living conditions, providing them with a richer diet, freedom from hard labor, and even reducing the suffering of slaughter through acts of compassion. If they are reborn into the human realm, they will enjoy good health, love from family and friends, and a successful career. If they attain liberation to the Western Pure Land, it can elevate their spiritual status, allowing them to become a Buddha sooner.
All wealth, fame, and status are merely external manifestations. Virtue is the foundation, and the saying “virtue begets material wealth” is truly not incorrect. Why is it that understanding traditional Chinese culture can easily lead to wealth? It is because the more virtue one has, the more it can transform into material abundance; wealth must correspond to virtuous individuals.
In conclusion, from ancient times to the present, both in popular culture and in monasteries, there are individuals truly practicing and cultivating themselves. If one can successfully complete their cultivation, the three realms can no longer contain them, and they will have transcended. Achieving enlightenment or becoming a deity, Buddha, or Taoist sage means no longer suffering within the cycle of samsara; this is a goal we should pursue. We must not waste our human life but strive to rediscover our true essence, as that is the essence of being human!
