Introduction: In traditional Chinese culture (and sometimes beyond), there are somewhat similar practices of praying to, and making offerings to a range of usually unseen beings, both inside and outside residences. They are usually not regarded as ‘ghosts’, but are addressed with ‘honorific’ names. As below, who they are believed to be, and their identities from Buddhist perspectives will be shared.
[1] Mayoral Being(s) (also called ‘土地公’: Earth God/s):
Belief: These beings are believed to be district deities, who care for the areas they are in, and those there, who include those living in one’s house.
Buddhist Perspectives: These beings can exist as relatively more meritorious terrestrial devas (earthbound gods), who are helpful and respected. If such gods are not present, powerful and also helpful hungry ghosts (饿鬼) with relatively more merits might fill the ‘vacancies’. However, these beings’ powers are limited when compared to completely liberated and enlightened beings, such as Arhats, Bodhisattvas and Buddhas.
[2] Foundational Being(s) (also called ‘地基主’: Building Foundation’s Master/s):
Belief: These beings are believed to be unfamiliar original owners, landlords or tenants of the house, who continue to stay there.
Buddhist Perspectives: These beings can exist as ghostly beings of those attached to the place, who are not yet properly reborn into their next lives. These are not exactly ‘lonely spirits and wild ghosts’ (孤魂野鬼), as they might be multiple; not alone, and literally feel at ‘home’; thus not wandering in the wilderness. These beings might or might not be helpful, harmful or not harmful, but are usually appeaseable with respect and offerings.
[3] Ancestral Being(s) (also called ‘祖先’: Ancestor/s):
Belief: These beings are believed to be one’s past relatives, especially if they used to live in the house.
Buddhist Perspectives: These beings can exist with reasons similar to the Foundational Beings above. The key difference is that they might be familiar, due to having lived with them before, when they were human beings. If they are not very attached to the house, they might come and go to some extent. While they are sometimes believed to be in a godly state, some are actually still in the ghostly state due to unresolved delusional attachment, or even aversion.
[4] Backyard Being(s) (also called ‘后尾公’: Rear End Lord/s):
Belief: These beings are believed to be in the vicinity of the house outside.
Buddhist Perspectives: These beings can exist as the actual ‘lonely spirits and wild ghosts’ (孤魂野鬼) ‘stuck’ between lives. As they tend to come and go, they are like ‘random strangers’. Due to lack of adequate karmic affinities and differences in karmic quality, they might be unable to enter the house, or can only have brief visits. As they usually lack good karma, they might often go hungry. These beings overlap with actual hungry ghosts, who live with more deprivation despite more craving.
Conclusion: Despite the difficulty of differentiating these beings, especially since they cannot be seen or identified clearly, the Buddhist attitude to them is the same. There should be respect, that all should have for one another. However, orthodox Buddhists should not make prayer requests to them, though making food offerings to them out of goodwill is alright (in case they are present).
It is actually not healthy to live with ghostly unseen beings for prolonged periods. Since all these beings are not with the best rebirth in Pure Land (净土) yet, Buddhists who would like to practise greater compassion should offer them guidance (开示) and support-chanting (助念) to help deliver them to Āmítuófó’s (阿弥陀佛) Pure Land. This practice will offer personal protection too.
相关教理
Related Teachings:
遇鬼偈
Verse On Meeting A Ghost
鬼神开示文
Guidance Text For Ghosts And Gods
https://purelanders.com/2026/01/06/verse-on-meeting-a-ghost
如何以念佛帮助被附体者
How To Help The Possessed With Mindfulness Of Buddha
一个佛教祛鬼降魔的妙法
A Buddhist ‘Exorcism’ Method
如何为鬼众开示助念，以便超度他们
How To Offer Guidance And Support-Chanting For Ghosts To Deliver Them
https://purelanders.com/2021/04/11/how-to-help-the-possessed-with-mindfulness-of-buddha
