< Flandre Scarlet | Back to Title of Contents | Yuyuko Saigyouji > Pure Human Spirits Bourei Usual threat level: Very High Frequency of encounters: Low Variety: Low Places likely to be encountered: Anywhere Times likely to be encountered: Anytime Characteristics The souls of the dead who don't realize that they have died or whose unwillingness to recognize death is too strong will be unable to achieve nirvana, becoming bourei. Bourei are different from yuurei, since they keep the appearance they did while alive, can touch and speak, and can't be told apart from a normal human by a casual observer. Their body temperature isn't low, and the only living things that can become bourei are humans. As a large number of bourei are unable to traverse the river, they remain in the realms of the living, or cross over to the Netherworld or to Hell. In any case, there is absolutely no chance of reincarnation. If you become a bourei one day, until you accomplish your objective or your body ceremoniously buried, you won't achieve nirvana (*1). Bourei can easily influence the human heart with just their voices, so it is dangerous to carelessly talk to one. Bourei who carry grudges are a particularly dangerous threat, so you should somehow find the body (*2) and have the burial ceremony. Therefore, a bourei's weak point is its body (*3). Bourei hide their corpses and never reveal them to people. They don't have bodies of flesh, but they aren't as insubstantial as yuurei, so they can touch things. On the other hand, they find it difficult to pass through objects (*4). However, since they don't have physical bodies, even if they touch you, they can't harm you. 1: If they haven't realized that they're dead, they sometimes vanish upon finding their bodies. 2: The corpse. 3: Since the corpse can't move. 4: Because many of them believe that they are still alive. Potential Harm Madness, Being Turned into a yuurei The scariest thing is that they live alongside humans and can't be discerned as bourei by the untrained eye. Even if the bourei doesn't have any ill will, if you're touched by one of the dead, before you know it you'll be beckoned by death. Also, there are cases in which the bourei is a family member or friend, so people hesitate to hold a memorial ceremony and instead go on living together. At first, it may seem like a happy thing to continue living together after someone dies, but the bourei is disconnected from the cycle of reincarnation, not only will they wander for eternity, but they'll soon realize that their entire family has died. Even more frightening are bourei who carry grudges. The take on the form of humans and deceive the living. Until the grudge is fulfilled they will haunt people to death. Countermeasures If you're targeted by a bourei, the only way to ward it off is to ask a specialist to hold a memorial ceremony. But the truly scary thing about b?rei is that sometimes their victims accept them. No matter how familiar the face may be, if it's the face of a person who's supposed to be dead, you must harden your heart and request a memorial ceremony. Also, try not to create grudges. In particular, if you accidentally killed someone, you must quickly have a memorial ceremony and repent. Though if you intentionally murdered someone, being haunted to death is reaping what you sow... < Flandre Scarlet | Back to Title of Contents | Yuyuko Saigyouji >