In the Peta Vatthu suttas we can learn about the bad actions that lead to rebirth in the ghost world. We also learn about how to share merit and how to overcome grief. You can learn more about ghosts in the Lakkhaṇa Samyutta.Looking for a sutta with a single number citation? Click hereGet the printed book | Download a reading checklist
- Pv 1.1 Khettūpama Sutta: Like a Field Arahants are like a field where we can plant offerings.
- Pv 1.2 Sūkaramukha Sutta: Pig’s Mouth Even using harsh speech is enough to cause suffering.
- Pv 1.3 Pūtimukha Sutta: Stinky Mouth A ghost explains the danger of using harsh speech.
- Pv 1.4 Piṭṭhadhītalika Sutta: Advice to a Daughter How do we help our departed relatives?
- Pv 1.5 Tirokuḍḍha Sutta: Outside the Walls The Supreme Buddha explains how to share merit with past relatives.
- Pv 1.6 Pañcaputtakhādaka Sutta: Eater of Five Sons A ghost explains her suffering due to lying and evil deeds from a previous life.
- Pv 1.7 Sattaputtakhādaka Sutta: Eater of Seven Sons Jealousy and hatred can only lead to suffering.
- Pv 1.8 Goṇa Sutta: The Ox How do we help those who are stricken with grief?
- Pv 1.9 Mahāpesakāra Sutta: Master Weaver What happens when you insult those who give?
- Pv 1.10 Khallāṭiya Sutta: Dressed in Hair A ghost explains the value of giving and sharing merit.
- Pv 1.11 Nāga Sutta: The Elephant Why is important to give when we have the opportunity?
- Pv 1.12 Uraga Sutta: The Snake Is it possible to not be sad when someone dies? It is for noble disciples of the Supreme Buddha.
- Pv 2.1 Saṃsāramocaka Sutta: Sariputta Bhante Helps a Ghost What could happen if we don’t give and are greedy?
- Pv 2.2 Sāriputtatherassa Mātu Sutta: Sāriputta Bhante’s Mother How can we reduce our past relatives’ suffering?
- Pv 2.3 Mattā Sutta: The Ghost Matta Even minor evil actions can result in immense suffering.
- Pv 2.4 Nandā Sutta: The Ghost Nanda Harsh speech and evil actions only brings negative results.
- Pv 2.5 Maṭṭakuṇḍalī Sutta: Mattakundali What should we do to secure happiness in our next life?
- Pv 2.6 Kaṇha Sutta: King Kanha How should we think to overcome grief?
- Pv 2.7 Dhanapāla Sutta: Wealthy Dhanapala What can happen if we don’t give and insult those who do?
- Pv 2.8 Cullaseṭṭhi Sutta: The Ghost Chullasetti Why should we share merit with our past relatives?
- Pv 2.9 Aṅkura Sutta: The Merchant Aṅkura Giving will always bring good results.
- Pv 2.10 Uttaramātu Sutta: Uttara’s Mother Harsh speech against those who do good result in suffering.
- Pv 2.11 Sutta Sutta: The Thread Offering Even a small action can bring immense merit.
- Pv 2.12 Kaṇṇamuṇḍa Sutta: The Dog with the Torn Ears A ghost explains the severity of sexual misconduct.
- Pv 2.13 Ubbarī Sutta: The Queen Ubbari An ascetic consoles Queen Ubbari and extinguishes her grief.
- Pv 3.1 Abhijjamāna Sutta: Without Rippling Generosity will lead to happiness and good results.
- Pv 3.2 Sānuvāsī Sutta: The Monk from Mount Sanuvasi A ghost reveals how to share merit with his past relatives.
- Pv 3.3 Rathakāra Sutta: The Ghost of Rathakara Lake A ghost explains how to direct merit towards a good destination.
- Pv 3.4 Bhusa Sutta: The Hay Ghost Greed and deceit only brings pain and suffering.
- Pv 3.5 Kumāra Sutta: The Abandoned Baby How does one escape from their evil past?
- Pv 3.6 Seraṇī Sutta: The Ghost Serini What happens when you let greed cloud your judgement?
- Pv 3.7 Migaluddaka Sutta: The Deer-Hunter Keeping precepts even for a small duration will provide benefits.
- Pv 3.8 Dutiya Migaluddaka Sutta: A Second Deer Hunter Taking the life of another will only lead to suffering.
- Pv 3.9 Kūṭavinicchayika Sutta: The Back Biter What are the dangers of lying, gossip and divisive speech?
- Pv 3.10 Dhātuvivaṇṇaka Sutta: Insulting the Relics Puja Insulting those who worship the Buddha’s relics will only bring suffering.
- Pv 4.1 Ambasakkhara Sutta: King Ambasakkhara How does one escape from the path leading to hell?
- Pv 4.2 Serissaka Sutta: The God Serissaka A deva explains the results of good actions and following precepts to a group of merchants lost in the desert.
- Pv 4.3 Nandaka Sutta: The Ghost Nandaka A ghost advises a king on the dangers of wrong views and the importance of taking refuge in the Triple Gem.
- Pv 4.4 Revatī Sutta: The Ghost Revati Two hell wardens explain to Revati the results of her evil deeds and show her the results of her husband’s merit.
- Pv 4.5 Ucchu Sutta: Sugar Cane Ghost A monk explains to a ghost the results of giving reluctantly.
- Pv 4.6 Kumāra Sutta: The Ghost Princes What are the results of indulging in excessive sensual pleasures?
- Pv 4.7 Rājaputta Sutta: The Son of a King What happened to a prince that committed evil actions towards a Pacceka Buddha?
- Pv 4.8 Gūthakhādaka Sutta: Excrement Eating Male Ghost What happens when you associate with evil monks?
- Pv 4.9 Gūthakhādaka Petī Sutta: Excrement Eating Female Ghost A ghost explains the results of associating with an evil monk.
- Pv 4.10 Gaṇa Sutta: Large Group of Ghosts Arahant Moggallana talks with ghosts who suffer due to their stinginess in the human world.
- Pv 4.11 Pāṭalīputta Sutta: The Woman from Pataliputta A woman and a ghost discuss doing meritorious deeds to avoid bad destinations.
- Pv 4.12 Ambarukkha Sutta: The Mango Ghost What happens when you share merits with your past relatives?
- Pv 4.13 Pokkharaṇī Sutta: The Axle What was the result of giving a small gift?
- Pv 4.14 Bhogasaṃharaṇa Sutta: Accumulation of Wealth What happens when you earn money in bad ways?
- Pv 4.15 Seṭṭhiputta Sutta: Wealthy Sons of Wealthy Merchants Ghosts discuss their past about not practicing generosity.
- Pv 4.16 Saṭṭhikūṭasahassa Sutta: Hit by Sixty Thousand Hammers Arahant Moggallana asks a ghost about his past evil actions.
