The soul when continuing at the expiration of a life is called zhong-yin

shen (or zhong-yin as abbreviated) in Chinese transliteration, intermittent

existence (or intermittent as abbreviated) between death and

reincarnation in Buddhism, thus named the intelligent spirit or soul

that departs from the body on death. The said intermittent lingers in

space for a while before returning to this life via entering the womb.

The procedure normally takes 7 days times 7. If capable of returning

to this life in the destiny of heavens or that of the hells, the procedure,

too, takes 7 days times 7 but in accordance with units of time in both

destinies. And, if capable of returning to this life in the human destiny,

the procedure takes 7 days times 7 in accordance with units of time

on planet earth.

Interpretations of whether there are ghosts or not are varied. Life is

all about transmigration in and out of the six destinies, as the sutras

state, one of which is the destiny of ghosts. The intermittent existence

assumed after death is, however, a transitional medium often taken

for a ghost, which is a misconception.