Buddhist Views of Mediums

Q: A friend said that when he prays to the Buddha or Guanyin Bodhisattva, they can’t answer his question, whereas when he goes to a deity through a medium, the deity is able to.  What is your opinion on this from the Buddhist perspective?

A: If we reflect on this phenomenon, we will realise that similar effects can happen when persons in need consult doctors and financial advisers for help – they get to resolve their concerns. Yet, it doesn’t work at times too. Likewise, it’s the same for help from mediums. If the medium is not genuine, he would just be giving personal advice (which may or may not help). If the medium is genuine, the advice may or may not help too – depending on how compassionate and wise the being channeled is.

In Chinese Buddhism, there is no practice of channeling Bodhisattvas and Buddhas for help because anyone can claim to be doing so, while cheating money. Buddhism disagrees with the idea that Bodhisattvas and Buddhas can be ‘summoned’ by unenlightened beings. If they truly takes over the medium, the medium should be teaching perfectly coherent Buddhist teachings too, instead of being in a trance-like state. In Buddhism, it is believed that there are both some gods and ghosts who are eager to help people – sometimes through mediums. But as above, the advice may or may not help too.

Also, if the summoned being has greed, hatred and delusion (due to being unenlightened), there might be a price to pay for incurring their anger. Some Buddhist teachers teach that some of the summoned beings might be ghosts (not always deities). Because ghosts and gods, even if they are unenlightened, have the ability to read minds, this is why the mediums might seem to be accurate in telling one’s present situation, though the foretold future might or might not come true – since it can change. It is safer to be respectful but stay away from unseen beings if one is not strong spiritually.

Because Buddhists see the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas to have perfect compassion and wisdom, and to be teachers of humans and gods, they turn to them for help instead. In times of distress, as the simplest means, they can help us when we are sincerely mindful of their names. With this sincere connection, their blessings are shared with us. And when we focus on our problems, inspired answers will arise in our minds. Sometimes, it can be through auspicious dreams, that are so special that you know they are not imagined. Most of all, the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas are able to help us when we study and practise their teachings diligently.

Related Article:
Are Manifestations & Mediums Of Bodhisattvas & Buddhas Around?
http://thedailyenlightenment.com/2014/02/are-there-mediums-manifestations-of-buddhas-bodhisattvas-around