This paper will examine the relationship between the realm of hungry ghosts and women in regard to food. Buddhist literature says that the food one eats corresponds to their level of ethical behavior. In the realm of sentient beings, food is tied to e...
This paper will examine the relationship between the realm of hungry ghosts and women in regard to food. Buddhist literature says that the food one eats corresponds to their level of ethical behavior. In the realm of sentient beings, food is tied to ethics. Heavenly beings consume food that does not need to be excreted, but sentient beings do.
Hungry ghosts are most closely related to the Desire Realm because hungry ghosts in that realm are the ones whose evil actions are related to food. In order to avoid rebirth as a hungry ghost, we should follow Buddhism’s ‘Ten Good Actions’, in particular, generously giving to Buddhist monks and religious practitioners. The Zheng fa nian chu jing (正法念處經) mentions a character called the ‘Needle-Moused Hungry Ghost’ which is representative of all hungry ghosts seen in Buddhist paintings.
In one part of the above-mentioned sutra, it says women are more likely to be reborn as hungry ghosts than men. It is generally said that the act of giving alms is primarily a task for women so they should be the ones to give food to Buddhist monks and religious practitioners. Therefore, Buddhist texts often emphasize the need for women to give alms.