In the Buddhist tradition we have a class of being we can be born into called Preta, or hungry ghosts (especially if we tend to being greedy!). In Buddhist belief these beings suffer terribly and have tiny mouths the size of the eye of a needle and an enormous stomach. They are always incredibly hungry and thirsty, even if they find a drop of water or a crumb of food it is transformed into pus, blood, faeces etc., and becomes very painful to swallow. There is no satisfaction or peace for these miserable beings.
In Buddhism we regard these beings with compassion and try to help them, we dedicate food to them and try to liberate them from that realm to have another rebirth.
What is the Christian understanding of ghosts and how do Christians deal with or help ghosts?
The Bible has little to say about ghosts, but here is a story from one of the books of the Bible, the book of Samuel, about a ghost.
Then the woman said (to king Saul), “Whom shall I bring up for you?” And he said, “Bring up Samuel for me.” When the woman saw Samuel, she cried out with a loud voice; and the woman spoke to Saul, saying, “Why have you deceived me? For you are Saul.” And the king said to her, “Do not be afraid; but what do you see?” And the woman said to Saul, “I see a divine being coming up out of the earth.” And he said to her, “What is his form?” And she said, “An old man is coming up, and he is wrapped with a robe.” And Saul knew that it was Samuel, and he bowed with his face to the ground and did homage. Then Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?” And Saul answered, “I am greatly distressed; for the Philistines are waging war against me, and God has departed from me and answers me no more, either through prophets or by dreams; therefore I have called you, that you may make known to me what I should do.” And Samuel said, “Why then do you ask me, since the LORD has departed from you and has become your adversary? “And the LORD has done accordingly as He spoke through me; for the LORD has torn the kingdom out of your hand and given it to your neighbor, to David. “As you did not obey the LORD and did not execute His fierce wrath on Amalek, so the LORD has done this thing to you this day. “Moreover the LORD will also give over Israel along with you into the hands of the Philistines, therefore tomorrow you and your sons will be with me. Indeed the LORD will give over the army of Israel into the hands of the Philistines!” Then Saul immediately fell full length upon the ground and was very afraid because of the words of Samuel; also there was no strength in him, for he had eaten no food all day and all night.
Aside from that, there isn't anything said about helping ghosts in the Bible, that I know of (and I have read the whole book through, though that was many years ago). I've also never had anyone ask the question before. It's a very compassionate question to ask!
I have had a number of encounters with supernatural beings in my life. I don't know if they were ghosts or...or what they were. Certainly I've shouted the name of Jesus at beings I was pretty sure were demons. I've never even considered that they may be lost, wandering souls, and that I, with a connection to God, might have power to help them. That's a beautiful thought.
Thank you. I'm richer for having read your post.