Ghosts In The Eyes Of A Sorcerer (术士眼中的鬼)

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Many people wanted to know what ghosts look like. The best resources are of course, from those narrations of true mediums. Sadly speaking, most of the descriptions of ghosts in the medias are written by those who have not seen a ghost for those who also do not have a chance to see ghosts. Hence give forth the image of ghosts being: wearing red shirt, long hair, always standing by the roadside to scare taxi drivers etc. I am not about to give a lecture, suffice just to describe what ghosts look like to me who has worked with ghosts for almost 30 years.

Definition of ghosts

By ghosts, I would refer to intelligent spiritual beings that can react to the environment.

What do ghosts look like?

This is a question many people would like to know. There are two answers: when ghosts are resting (sleeping), they appear as if an orb the size of a pea. To the naked eyes, the ghosts would seem to have disappeared in thin air. The fact is that they simply discharged all their energies and became a pea-like entity. When ghosts sleep; they would attach themselves onto objects such as rocks, plants or even human beings.

In the awakening state, ghosts look like a blob of fog. Of course, in order to form a shape; ghosts need to absorb a lot of energy. When they do take forms, their surrounding would become cold.

In normal circumstances, ghosts cannot hold their forms for a very long time. They can normally materialise for 5 seconds the most and then return to its gaseous state. This is the reason why most of those authentic ghost photos only show a head with fog-like substances around.

Do ghosts have colours?

Yes. They do. Majority of ghosts I see if greyish in colour. Sometimes they appear to be in black, green and white. New ghosts are more colourful than old ghosts. A recent deceased ghost would appear as our normal person but the older it gets, its colour fades with time. Greyish ghosts are at least 40 to 50 years old. I have not seen a ghost with red colour so far.

Where can I normally see a ghost?

A ghost cannot just materialise anywhere. It cannot take form in an open space such as on a straight stretch of highway, in centre of an open field, on exposed mountain peak or in a windy place. So, the best chance for a person to see ghost is in a damped and enclosed place such as in a haunted house, a cave, in a tropical forest etc. A ghost also needs water to survive, so a ghost can also be sighted on the river banks, beside lakes, seaside and swamps.

Do ghosts need to eat?

Yes. Ghosts feed on smells, energy and water. If your house electric appliances break down too often, especially the lightning; then ghosts may be present. Of course, your electrical circuit may as well be overloaded too when you have added too many high power equipment.

Do ghosts harm living beings?

Yes. Since ghosts feed on energy, they would attach to a person and feed on his/her energy. As the person’s energy is drawn, the person would get tired and easily annoyed. Since ghosts like to feed on energy, they certainly like to dwell in a person’s internal organs such as heart, kidneys and stomach where the energy is plentiful. If these spirit parasites dwell in the organs for too long, they may cause physical illnesses such as cancers.

Other than that, ghosts would blur a person’s mind which caused he/she to make wrong judgement. For example, ghosts can cause their host to hallucinate and see things while he/she is driving resulting in freak accidents. Ghosts too can change the character of a person and made him/her isolated from the society.

Do ghosts grant wishes?

Yes. Only in the dreams. I have requested many requests to ghosts and all of my wishes were being granted in my dreams: women, work and social status. Of course, I couldn’t bring those ‘gifts’ in the dream to our physical world.

Can magician kill a ghost?

Yes, and no. Yes, a magician can temporarily put a ghost to ‘sleep’. Since a ghost is a type of energy; in Buddhist terms, it is ‘alaya’ seed which cannot be destroyed. So, No, ghosts cannot be destroyed. After sometime of sleeping, they will rise automatically.

How can I see ghosts?

You can see ghosts when you are being possessed by another ghost; or when you are practising some kind of spiritual practices. Most of the time, people who claimed to be able to see ghost themselves are already being possessed without noticed.

Also, not forget to mentioned that only those people have some kind of karmic connection can see a ghost. For example, if a person must have done something to the ghost that enabled the ghost to appear in his/her vision. When this person sees this ghost with his naked eyes; this ghost already possessed his body.

What do you think about ghosts?

Ghosts are pitiful beings yet they are best to be left alone. They are almost always sad. In fact, I have not seen a happy ghost so far. The best way to handle a ghost is to deliver it to the other side and not letting them to stay with us; even they were once our loved ones.

The Hairy Demonic Kid (魔神仔)

There is a type of very special entity lurking in the wild with many names. It looks like an orangutan with hairs but it is only about 3 feet tall. If I were to describe it, it would be the Asian miniature bigfoot. The Taiwanese calls the entity as ‘the hairy demonic kid’, the Chinese calls it ‘small mountain’ (小山) or ‘small ghost’ (小鬼). I would just call it as ‘demonic kid’ for simplicity.

Demonic kids may be seen by people frequently enters the forest. They normally live by the edge of the forest and at times their traces could also be found in rubber or oil palm plantations. They are said to possess certain magical skills and these demonic kids are believed to be responsible for mesmerizing and misleading travellers by creating the ‘ghostly maze (鬼打墙). And, they are believed to be able to make themselves invisible too.

Normally demonic kids don’t kill and they only play pranks on unwary travellers. A lonely travellers at night or at dusk would be a good target for them to play at. Usually this unfortunate traveller would first be led into the ‘ghostly maze’ and walked in circle until he/she loses concentration. Then demonic kids would pull the victim’s legs from behind to make him/her fall. Once the person is successfully toppled, then they would quickly stick some muds or weeds into the person’s mouth and nose. After that, the victim is normally leave to lay on the ground alone. Although demonic kids don’t kill; their pranks of may cause suffocation. Hence, villagers and those rubber tappers would usually bring one or two dogs to travel along if they know certain stretch of the journey is haunted by these demonic kids. The locals believed dogs are the only thing these demonic kids afraid because dogs could pick up the scent of demonic kids even though when the demonic kids are invisible.

When I stayed in my grandparent’s rubber plantation, I used to hunt for lizards and small wild boars with my cousins. Our modus operandi was first to let go 5 to 8 dogs into the bush in rubber plantation. As the dogs rushed into the bush, we would use a stick to strike onto an empty metal can or something like that to make noises. The noise would normally startle whatever animals there might be to rush out. As soon as an animal is noticed, the dogs would chase after it to a corner and we would make the kill. Small wild boar was our favourite prey of that time since pork were pretty expensive then. The only time for us to eat pork was during the New Year.

So said, one day the kids and dogs were chasing after a wild boar. We saw a small creature rode on the back of the wild boar: it looked like a hairy kid! As the wild boar was being cornered by the dogs, the hairy kid suddenly jumped off the back of the boar and rolled itself into a fur ball in the mid of the air, and as it fell onto the ground; it continued roll at high speed into the bush.

Since our target was the wild boar and not the unexpected creature, we left the fur ball alone. Later, I told grandpa about the creature. He later confirmed that was the notorious demonic kid. He said that he was once the victim of demonic kid when he returned home one night after attending a relative’s wedding. While he was passing a swamp area, suddenly something bumped his back and he subsequently lost balance and fell face down on to the ground. As soon as he was on the ground, some hairy creature started to push mud and weeds into his nose and mouth. Strangely speaking, grandpa could not resist as he found himself as stiff as a rock. Luckily, another acquaintance passed through the area and found grandpa on the ground. He later sent grandpa back or else grandpa believed if he was not helped, he would be suffocated to death in the morning.  

Now that I have not seen traces of demonic kids for a long time as I have not gone back to the rubber plantation… maybe they are still there playing pranks on unwary passer-by.

Red Shirt Female Ghost (红衣女鬼)

A friend brought up a very interesting topic: “red shirt female ghost”. So, let us take a closer look at this charming personality.

Traditionally, red colour is associated with love and passion in the West. The Chinese treat red as the colour of happiness and festive. In both cases, red could not by any means associate with ghosts. I have searched throughout the Chinese ghost literatures and found no descriptions at about red shirt ghosts. In other Asian mythologies, the spirits only appear in white, green, grey or black. Or in rare cases, spirits could be as colourful as us the human being.

So, from where does this red shirt ghost come from?

The red shirt ghost is believed to be the product of when a lady is bullied to such an extent that she has no way to seek justice and dead is her only option. This death seeking lady would wear read clothes, red pants, red shoes and put on red lipsticks. Then she would commit suicide and her restless soul will become the infamous ‘red shirt female ghost’ to seek justice against all those who have wronged her.

It is also possible that when a woman died due to very unjust cases and no worldly justice could be sought; then her parents or relatives would let the dead lady wear all red with red makeups. In addition, a pair of scissors would also be put in her right hand so that she could rise from her grave and seek revenge herself.

Sounds familiar? You bet.

The above descriptions are actually common scenes depicted in Hong Kong ghost movies popular in the 70’s to 90’s. Somehow those fable movie scenes gradually believed to be true by some local folks and they just copy them and re-enacted on their love ones died of very injustice cases. Of course, such actions are actually very controversial because by hoping the dead to rise and kill by itself is against religious teachings. Don’t we all want our love ones to rest-in-peace?

As a matter of fact, I have not heard of a real case that any of those deceased changed into red clothing can transform into red shirt ghosts and subsequently success in sought their revenge. Last but not least, when you visited Malaysia and have an opportunity to go to a market and you find a lot of those wearing red shirts or yellow shirts shouting in broad daylight; please don’t be panic. They are only street protesters; call them illegal if you would. Whatever case that might be; they are not ghosts…

The 6th Sense Aunty (第六感大婶)

I got to know Madam Lee in an old folks home in Penang Island. She is about 86 years old now though she is still healthy, she has difficulties in walking. So, for most of the time; Madam Lee would be found in her wheelchair. When my Buddhist centre is doing charity work for this old folk’s home, I would also take time to see Madam Lee and chat with her. The old lady can really talk, every time I would spend about 2~3 hours chatting with her. Since it took a long time, at times; I would consciously avoid meeting her.

Maybe because no one in the old folk’s home likes to talk to Madam Lee, she always feels lonely and she would just grab any passer-by to talk. In case you wonder, there is nothing wrong with Madam Lee’s mentality; the only thing if I want to pick is that she seemed to have 6^th sense and normally what she dreamed would come true. Unfortunately speaking, only those unlucky ones…

One time, Madam Lee told another tenant, Madam Tan that she saw Madam Tan’s daughter went into a grave. And Madam Tan was seen to be crying in front of her daughter’s grave… Unfortunately, two weeks later; Madam Tan’s daughter met with an accident and died. Madam Lee’s dream came true and of course; no one was grateful of Madam Lee for obvious reasons.

Then a few months later, Madam Lee told another tenant; Madam Yong that her husband who was staying with their son in UK suddenly wept and he wanted to return to Madam Yong’s side. And a few weeks later; Madam Yong’s husband suffered heart attack and died. His body was then sent back to Penang for burial service. Again; Madam Lee’s dream came true…

So as you can see, Madam Lee has become someone not so popular in the old folk’s home. Every time she wanted to tell me what she dreamed last night; I would just stop her and tell her: “Whatever it might be, it shall be good! Thank you Madam Lee.”

Stopping the old lady from talking might be cruel, but I do hope that she could understand that no one wish to listen to bad news. It would probably do Madam Lee herself more good if she could just pray for the well beings of those people who came into her dreams; which would make her more popular too.

This is the reason why I do not like to predict on other’s future lately. Sometimes, it is best not to know one’s future if nothing can be done to change it. After all, whatever will be; will be!

I Know U Can See Me (我知道你看到我)

My friend is a tour guide operating mainly between Malaysia and Thailand. One day, he visited me asking me to perform a flower bath ritual. On enquiring, he said he has finally saw the ‘dirty thing’ after so many trips in and out of the country. This incident happened in a renowned hotel in Bangkok.

Let’s call our friend as Jason. Jason works with a budget tour company. By ‘budgeted’ in his own terms meant the tour guide will need to share a room with any single travelling tourist. This arrangement has many controversies if a lady tour guide has to put up with another man for the night. Of course, those more established companies had discontinued this form of ‘barbarous’ practice.

As the story goes, after a day tour in Bangkok city, everyone was tired and Jason’s group checked in a hotel in the city by a river. If you have been to Bangkok, the weather is hot and stuffy. So, after a whole day of outing, naturally everyone was sticky and hot. Like before, Jason had to put up with another man sharing a room.

After completing the checking in process, Jason’s roommate rushed into the bathroom to wash himself first while Jason started to unpack his clothing and personal effects from his luggage. Suddenly, Jason felt someone was blowing a breath of air at his right ear. He could instinctively identify the person was a female for along with the breath comes the fragrance of ladies’ perfume.

Perhaps the sudden breath startled Jason and he turned his head and to his horror; he saw a pale face of a lady staring at him. Their distance between their faces was so close that both of them almost kissing each other’s lips. As recalled by Jason, the face was as pale as a piece of white paper and the lady spoken: “Sawadeep… I know you can see mee… Hehehe…”

In Jason’s mind he murmured: “Do you think I like to see you too?” Of course, he was a seasoned traveller, he knew by pretending not to see the apparition is the best way to tackle it. Otherwise, there would be no peace for him and his pal.

So he tried to ignore the lady and held his fear until his roommate came out from the bathroom. As soon as the guy way out, he hurriedly asked him to pack his belongings and go to the hotel reception. When the bewildered man asked Jason, he wouldn’t want to talk but just push the person to be hurry.

Only after both of the gentlemen were out of the spooky room that Jason revealed what he has just saw. Luckily, there was another empty room for them.

According to Jason, that was the first time he came so close to a ghost. Before he left, Jason asked: “Was the lady ghost from the room or somewhere else?”

I replied slumber: “The lady ghost had followed you for a while or it will not materialize in front of you so fast! In fact, she is waiting for you outside my house!”

Then, I tapped on his shoulder and bid him ‘goodbye’.

The Magic Of Frying (炒的妙用)

A friend wants to know the story of ‘frying sand’ but I can do better…

Obviously, no one would ‘fry sand’ for nothing. It is actually a local belief that if someone is the victim of a theft and that footprints of the thief can be found on the ground; then some of the sands/soils from the footprint can be collected and then fried in a wok. As the footprint sand/soil is getting heated in the wok, so is the body of the thief. If the stolen items are not returned to their rightful owner, then the thief will be fried to dead. Provided of course, the person can be 100% sure those footprints are indeed those of the thief’s.

In the past, people who kept Toyol (another form of kid spirit) would first fry a wok of green beans and then planted them under their house staircase. After that the Toyol shall be ordered to watch over the fried beans until they germinated. Of course, none of those fried beans can germinate. So, this poor Toyol will be keep watching forever! My thought is that if a Toyol is so stupid, then it may be dangerous to ask them to work for us as well.

The other frying magics are more related to us, the human.

First of all, there is the ‘stir fry of cooked vegetables’ (炒回锅菜) magic. The power of this magic can make an old matter heated up again. But when it is being used too often, then the magic will lose its magic. So, beware!

Another frying magic is often being used by our politicians to make a small matter big. This form of frying magic is known as ‘frying drama’ (炒作). Of course, our mass medias and social medias are masters of this field. Whatever minute matters can be ‘fried’ until they became the dooms day matter.

A Chinese chef’s greatest magic is to ‘fry big’ (大炒). This form of magic will turn even the commonest raw foods into mouth-watering delicacies. This form of magic can be very profitable if and only if you can master the tricks. So, with your wok; you can really walk the world! I would encourage everyone to at least get his/her hands dirty. This is the best money magic I have ever known. Highly recommended!

Needless to mention, the most destructive form of frying magic is the ‘frying squid’ (炒鱿鱼). The origin of this magic as I was told is when a piece of squid is fried, it will roll up. Hence this rolling power will cause whoever being yelled at with the magical mantra: “You are fired!!” will automatically roll out of the person’s sight. Sadly speaking, not everyone is qualified to cast this form of magic unless you are the boss so to speak. When you have the power, it is very easy to cast the ‘frying squid’ magic. But please be compassion about the victim of this ‘frying squid’ magic for whoever is hit by this magic may faint, panic, become crazy or for weaker once; death maybe resulted.

On the other hand, the stronger ones would cast the anti-frying-squid magic by chanting the mantra: “I fire you first” for Easterners; or simply “I quit!” for Westerners. Whichever mantra you choose to use will be fine too. If you have casted the counter frying-squid magic like me; then you shall have a moment of peaceful mind and enjoyed life like me. Provided then you do not need to worry about your cash reserves too… Ha! Ha! Ha! Eat your hearts out!

He Ate Two Oranges (他吃两粒柑)

Do you believe in the existence of souls? Well, I do.

It was during Chinese New Year and I paid my school mate Ming a visit. Ming was staying in Kuala Sepatang which is a small fishing village off Taiping town.

When I was at Ming’s house, he was about to go out with his family members to visit his neighbour who stayed just opposite his house. Since I was already there, Ming asked me to make myself at home while he would return in a jiffy. So, I found myself a chair and sat in the living room while waiting for Ming to return. You see, houses in small villages were seldom locked during daytime as everyone knows everyone and thefts were almost non-existent.

While I was waiting for Ming, I felt thirsty and I saw 5 mandarin oranges were placed on the ancestral altar. So, I took the liberty first to eat one. Then I realised with only 4 oranges left did not look too nice; so I ate another one and now only 3 left. No big deal I thought… but I will soon find out how wrong I was.

After an hour or so, Ming returned home with his parents and sister. Just as when we were greeting each other our best wishes, his sister, Siew’mei suddenly became silent and without any facial expression. She just stood there as if fallen into trance from the first look. Before long, she uttered some bizarre words: “There were 5 oranges, and he ate 2! Two of us will not have mandarin oranges for the new year…”

I was stunted and tried to figure what Siew’mei meant. If she meant there were 5 spirits being worshipped on the altar; I could only see 4 of them: grandparents, Guan’yim (Avalokitesvara) and Guan’gong (legendary hero). There were only 4! So, I asked Siew’mei which one is the 5^th?

Unexpectedly, Siew’mei responded: “I am Siew’lan, the 5^th!” And, Siew’mei collapsed onto the floor and Ming propped his sister to rest in an armchair. She was subsequently revived by sprinkling of cold water onto her face.

Now, I became more confused and I looked at Ming for explanation. After silent for a while, Ming said: “Siew’lan was my long deceased sister, Siew’mei’s younger sister. We thought she was already being reincarnated for good!”

For the first time, I really felt a little embarrassed to have eaten 2 mandarin oranges and caused such an embarrassed situation. Now I would just keep my hands off those oranges placed at an altar for good!