Miscellaneous Religion

The Concise Oxford... Encyclopedia of Occultism... A Dictionary of Buddhism Further reading

Preta

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions | 1997 | | Copyright

Preta (Skt., ‘deceased’; Pāli, peta). In Hinduism, the condition of the dead between death and joining the ancestors (pitṛ). Their state is that of a kind of purgatory; and the correct funeral rites (śrāddha) are essential if the transition is to be effected, since otherwise the preta may threaten the living. The pretaloka is the sphere where they remain until the rites are completed.

In Buddhism, their domain constitutes one of the three undesirable forms of existence (gati). Their karma is good enough to keep them from the hells (naraka) but not sufficient to project them to asura. If they do not receive appropriate support from the living, they can become vengeful. Their condition is described in Petavatthu (Khuddaka-nikāya).

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

MLA
Chicago
APA

JOHN BOWKER. "Preta." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

JOHN BOWKER. "Preta." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O101-Preta.html

JOHN BOWKER. "Preta." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O101-Preta.html

Learn more about citation styles

Preta

Encyclopedia of Occultism and Parapsychology | 2001 | Copyright

Preta

Hindu term for the soul of a departed. After death the soul was said to inhabit a subtle body the size of a man's thumb and remain in the keeping of Yama, judge of the dead. Punishment or reward arises for the preta depending upon the actions of the individual's life and may involve many rebirths.

Eventually through faith and enlightenment, the soul is translated to the heaven of the Pitris (the Manes or progenitors of the human race).

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

MLA
Chicago
APA

"Preta." Encyclopedia of Occultism and Parapsychology. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"Preta." Encyclopedia of Occultism and Parapsychology. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3403803644.html

"Preta." Encyclopedia of Occultism and Parapsychology. 2001. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3403803644.html

Learn more about citation styles

preta

A Dictionary of Buddhism | 2004 | | Copyright

preta (Skt.; Pāli, peta). ‘Hungry ghosts’, one of the miserable modes of existence in saṃsāra. Various kinds of these spirits exist but all are subject to suffering in the form of insatiable and unsatisfiable appetites as a punishment for greed and avarice in previous lives. See also Bhavacakra; Gati.

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

MLA
Chicago
APA

DAMIEN KEOWN. "preta." A Dictionary of Buddhism. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

DAMIEN KEOWN. "preta." A Dictionary of Buddhism. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O108-preta.html

DAMIEN KEOWN. "preta." A Dictionary of Buddhism. 2004. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O108-preta.html

Learn more about citation styles

Free newspaper and magazine articles

	Microscopic characterisation of synthetic Terra Preta.(Report) Magazine article from: Australian Journal of Soil Research; 9/1/2010
	STELLAR STAMPS Shine.(Printing Industries of America honros Sennett Security... Magazine article from: Graphic Arts Monthly; 10/1/2001
	Amazon's black soil could change poor soil into fertile ground.(Update) Magazine article from: Resource: Engineering & Technology for a Sustainable World; 4/1/2006