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Question
Asked 24 August 2012

Is it common for teenagers to have encounters with ghosts?

I have interview evidence to suggest that ghost encounters and beliefs are common amongst Buddhist teenagers. I've heard this is also the case for Pagan/Wiccan teenagers - but have no firm evidence. I'd be interested to know of published accounts of such experience in other teenagers, to gain some idea if this is something notable amongst Buddhists.
Jonathan Edwards
Lower Merion / Harriton
Further note that these students are often relieved that they had a chance to vocalize their experience, and are eager to hear the stories of others. A small number approached me after class to tell me what they had experienced. Some express anxiety, some relate that the experience is on going because their home or where the work or visit is "haunted". A couple of related that they ahve always have been able to see the "un-living". I have been continuing this exercise in public school for about twenty years, and have quite a collection.