อมนุษย์หลายประเภทในวัฒนธรรมตะวันออกและตะวันตก

บทคัดย่อ

Non-human beinf in Easterm and Western Cultures

Belief in the existence of non-human beings and their relations with the humans are found virtually in all cultures. The article is an investigation into such belief as expressed in Eastern and Western cultures. In these cultures variety of non-human beings are noted. Among them the most popularly known among people of different cultures are ghosts, demons, monsters, angels and fairies. Their stories are constructed and narrated with moral and religious significance. In the course of investigation reference is made to disembodied beings in Buddhist cosmology (bhavacakra/ samsAra) regulated by the law of karma. While most Buddhists, in performing good deeds, aspire to be reborn as celestial beings in the samsAra existence, the ultimate goal of Buddhist life is absolute emancipation from suffering in samsAra.