Hi,



This has nothing to do with the Pali language, but "sharing merits".



Some time ago, I read a book, "Honouring The Departed- A Buddhist Perspective" by Aggacitta Bhikkhu.



I feel uneasy and illogical. The viewpoint put forward by the author have make me questions the validity of Buddhism. I have always thought of Buddhism as a "religion" that is not superstitious.



It's regarding sharing merits with ghost, offering foods to the departed and Tirokutta Sutta



According to the author, making offerings (food and drinks) to the departed was already an Indian custom at the time of Buddha, and suggest that that is how we should honour the departed. Is this true? It doesn;t make sense, and sounds crazy. I have always thought that this practice is only done by those superstitious Chinese.



What I have been reading all this while is that we perform meritorious deeds (eg. Dana to the Sangha) and then share the merits with the departed and only a peta would be able to partake in the sharing of merits.



What is your opinion on this matter?



Best wishes,

Rahula


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