Derivative Images

In modern Buddhist thought, demons and monsters including Mara who is  “tempter” (similar to Satan) — manifest from our darker natures, not necessarily as supernatural creatures. In this way of thinking, Buddha did fight Mara under the Bodhi tree — but it was in his meditations — in his thoughts — a battle against his temptations and cravings. In the same way, many Buddhist practices focus on our own “battle” against similar delusions. On the other hand, many demons in Buddhist legend are said to manifest as the darker sides of nature. Some “classes” of monsters are virtually universal across cultures. From Europe to Asia and India, zombies, vampires and ghosts abound. Were-beasts, including Werewolves, are fairly common myths. Cannibals are probably the biggest scare. Vampires cross all cultural boundaries. 

Demons and monsters in Buddhism serve a similar function in practice to other spiritual paths. They are manifestations of our fears, weaknesses, failings, craving and our own evil karma. Or, the manifestations of the same thing in nature and the universe. And, in the case of “pretas” or hungry ghosts, they have their own realm — one of the six realms into which we can be reborn — so watch out! (You should be okay if you’re not greedy and clingy!) Likewise, “hell-beings” or demons have their own realm, but typical of these homeless beasties, they often seek out our world to wreak havoc.

Sometimes the bad guys are the good guys. Great masters such as Padmasambhava converted many demons to the Dharma and swore them to the service of Dharma practitioners. Other beings appear demonic but are actually Bodhisattvas. For example, Yamantaka is one of the most powerful and ferocious of Protectors — an Enlightened form of Manjushri — but he takes on an appearance which is so fearful that even Yama, the Lord of Death, is frightened. Wrathful Buddhist Deities are the good guys. How can you tell? Usually, they look more ferocious than the “bad guys,” but you’ll notice they have symbols of Enlightened deities, such as a throne on a lotus, a vajra in hand or other symbols.

The Buddhist "Nasties" ...

1. The’ u-rang — the “stormy” imps

Think of the the’ u-rang as little goblins — with enough punch to create thunderstorms:

“The the’ u-rang are impish miniature goblins. Although most Tibetans do not regard them as ghosts, Tsumbas say they are the ghosts of dead children,” according to the book Karma, an Anthropological Inquiry (page 249). Like other “ghosts” they manifest from unfulfilled karma, in this case children who did not live a full life. For this reason, they are often harmless, but being immature, if offended, can become very dangerous. 

 The more dangerous The’ u-rang are “malevolent spirits that cause destructive thunderstorms and impregnate women. Debrong Pano, one type of the’ urang, has nine heads, 18 arms and 1000 eyes.”

2. Rolangs, Delogs and other zombies

Rolangs are similar to the zombies of movie-lore. “Ro” literally means corpse” and “langs” means to rise up. Literally, the Risen Dead. “After a person dies, if the spirit of a human is unable to move on, the corpse moans, then tries to sit up. Eventually, it succeeds, then starts muttering to itself, then becomes strong enough to stand up and move about.”  To prevent the dead from rising, some monks perform phowa on behalf of the corpse, helping the spirit leave the body.

Delogs are another form of “zombies,” except their bodies typically stay in the human realm while their “spirit” is tormented in hell. Sometimes, as in the case of Dawa Drolma (from Journey to the Realms Beyond Death) they return to tell the tale.

3. Rakshasa — demon man-eaters

Think of them as super-powered zombies who can shape-shift and have a higher IQ than most people. They are not always evil, so this one is tricky. Still, they’re super clever and crafty — unlike the brainless western movie zombies. In the great epics, Rakshasas were heros as well as evil. When in “human-ish” form can appear to have two giant tusks and rows of teeth that would dwarf a great-white shark. They also know black magic, have supernatural powers, sharp fangs, and even wings. And, unlike zombies, super-powered Rakshasas have been known to feast on gods, deities or other demons. Think of them as zombies with superpowers.

4. Belu and Shapeshifters

Like many areas of the world, some demons can be humanoid but shapeshifters. Pan-kike are not only shapeshifters, they sport fangs and eat human flesh. There are nice Belu as well in the “shape” of panswe belu, who are “vegetarian” and munch on flowers instead of people. Yum. 

5. Pretas — Hungry Ghosts

This is, perhaps, the best known of the Buddhist ghosts — either a karmic metaphor or a horrible realm of suffering beings, depending on your view. Based on our karma, our greed can be the cause to be reborn as a hungry ghost. This is a miserable existence, and there are many Buddhist practices designed to relieve the suffering of these wretched creatures. 

They have bloated stomachs and tiny mouths and throats that cannot swallow. They are always hungry and thirsty to the point of absolute madness. They are compulsive and addicted to greedy behaviours that can cause great suffering in the human and animal realms. 

6. Jikininki — man-eating hungry ghosts

Unlike “regular” pretas who can be a “nuisance” the Japanese version, the Jikininki are not as cute as they sound. Their name translates to “people-eating ghosts” — super zombies with ghostly powers but a ravenous appetite for yummy humans. They look pretty disgusting, too, black and bloated.

7. Oni — Only worse than ogres

If you thought ogres and trolls were terrible, the Oni dwarf them in size, and they enjoy violence. Everything about these giants is over-the-top. If you’re lucky enough to cut off one of their limbs — a feat of a samurai — it will just instantly grow back. They carry kanabo clubs (spiked clubs). They not only enjoy violence, they can send plague, disease and insanity your way, so you’d be glad of a regular troll versus the human-flesh-eating Oni. To banish one of these giants, a local army of samurais won’t do; call a monk instead and have your mantras at the ready. 

8. Narakas and Hell-Beings

Hell-beings are supposed to live in their own realm, swept there by their lives of negative karmas, but they can crave our world and plague humans. Like “western” demons, they are filled with hate, aggression and anger without reason. 

Again, karma is the force that creates these beings. In our lives, if we act with hatred, we may have to spend some time as “hell-beings” until we burn off these karmic debts. Like the western hells, it’s hot down there — so it is no wonder the Narakas seek out our colder world. The hell realms make Dante’s hells look like a picnic, with every type of torture imaginable. No matter how many times they are tortured and killed, these unfortunate beings are instantly brought back to hell-life. Eventually, the torment will end, and these poor beings will be born into better lives.

These Educational and Research Excerpts and read more @: https://buddhaweekly.com/buddhism-vs-hollywood-are-buddhist-demons-vampires-zombies-and-hungry-ghosts-scarier-than-hollywood-monsters/