弘明集 9.85

9.85

論曰。問者曰。經云。為之宗廟以鬼饗之。通云。非有鬼也。斯是聖人之教然也。所以達孝子之心。而厲媮薄之意也。

The treatise says: The questioner said, 'The classic says: Ancestral temples were established for them, and they were presented with offerings as ghosts.' The explanation states: 'Ghosts do not exist; this is merely the teaching of the sages being so, as a means to convey the hearts of filial sons and to encourage those of neglectful and shallow disposition.'