A post from E-Sangha which I found very good (Regarding the Brunei Exorcism Video):
http://www.lioncity.net/buddhism/index.php?showtopic=20578&st=0&p=291172&#entry291172Hi All ,
This is a brief translation of the item with my rusty Malay.
This happended in Brunei when girl school kids dabbled in challenges in the spirit calling games surmoning of spirits to ask for the exam questions . They stricked coins and called the spirits. Some one used the blood of a girl's menses which brought the spirit and it vocalised for blood . This frightened the kids and they all ran away , but did not return the spirit back to its world. The angry spirit threatend to attack with 28000 soldiers of his and it wanted blood. Thus havoc pervailed causing even teacher to fear the school. During a surpirse visit by the Sultan the girl during a school oral test became possessed asked for blood and the video showed a Bomoh ( Malay medium) exorcise the girl.
THere were rumours of disaster happening due to the ghost story and people stayed home in fear till 18 Oct passed. They coment on the differnt ghost that exists and their role is to destroy humans.
These sorts of things happen a lot in Malaysia,Indonesia as it is a common practice amongst the Malay community. I had come across these events in Singapore as well when I stayed there a long time ago where "Black magic" were used by evil men and women for personal gains. I am sure these practices still exists, there and in other parts of South East Asia .
This shows how easy it is to fall into the 'dark side " of the path and how frail we humans are . Once we passed to the wrong side we are almost always lost.
Buddha had explained of the other side of the world dimensions and has fortunately provided us with many means to help us , but it need the authorised Sangha to do that.
These beings are, just as we in this Saha world, suffering , but they can be malevolent and easily angered most likely Asuras . The best personal defence is Metta ( Metta Sutta)and transfering of merits. When faced or possessed with more malevolent spirits one need the Sangha to help/exorcise who have a lot more mantras in the sutras eg Ratana Sutra, Surangama Sutra , Medicine Buddha and Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva Great Compassionate Dharani Sutra etc. These sutras describe events of these and its correction.
I had once travelled on a path that was haunted near where I went for a retreat. There were so many ghosts that made my hair stand on ends . For two nights I had to walk this path to and fro all the time chanting the Metta suta and transfering merits of blessings ( before I learnt any Mahayana Mantras) . By the third night these beings were no longer angry or threatening - in fact welcoming me to pass in peace and comfort . others too felt the difference. The power of Metta experienced first hand with patience ( Khanti parami)! It may take more cultivated people a few moments to do that same thing I took 2 days to achieve, but it was a good lesson. Since then I have no more fear of ghosts or haunted places, i do not go with any intension of clearing them off - it is their right to be there . They just need our compassion and metta and some merits for their well being . Some need merits so that they can go on their way to their rightful world instead of being stuck here in limbo.
Ghosts = other sentient beings so we should help them as much as we can.
Sabbe Satta Suhkita Hontu!
Metta Karuna Mundita Upeka Parami!
Namo Amitofo !
AgSurfer