The Sutra of the Compendium of Father and Son Commentary (98)

Dreams and the Harassment by Ghosts: Are They Real?

Original Text:

King, it is like a person who, in his sleep, is harassed by a Pisaca, causing him to feel terrified, deluded, and faint. King, what do you think? After this person awakens and recalls being harassed by a ghost in his dream, is this event real?

The king replied: No, it is not.

Explanation:

The Buddha said: “King, suppose a person is harassed by a Pisaca ghost in his sleep, causing him great fear, confusion, and fainting. King, what do you think? After this person awakens and still recalls being harassed by the ghost in his dream, is this event real?” King Śuddhodana replied: “It is not real, World-Honored One.”

Original Text:

The Buddha said: King, if this person clings to the dream as real, is he wise?

The king replied: No, World-Honored One. Why? Because there was ultimately no ghost harassing him in the dream. How much less can one speak of fainting from delusion? It should be understood that this person only vainly exhausted his mind, with no reality at all.

Explanation:

The Buddha said: “King, is this person wise if he regards the dream as real?” King Śuddhodana replied: “He is not wise, World-Honored One. Why? Because there was ultimately no event of being harassed by a ghost in the dream, let alone the occurrence of terror-induced fainting. We should understand that this person merely exhausted his mind in vain, with no real substance to it.”