A Trillion-Year-Old Demon's Path to Redemption

This is a record of an interview with the ancient demon Mo Baha, who sought Chao Du at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Dharma-Nature Land. This account reflects upon his existence spanning over 1.6 quadrillion years. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fa, on March 25, 2026.

Mo Baha speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Mo Baha. To me, the planet Earth is not exactly unfamiliar. In the distant past, I visited this world several times, though the environment then was vastly different from what it is today. Returning now, I realise that humanity has embarked on a completely different path of development.

In the region of China, there has been a unique emphasis on internal cultivation and moral refinement. The ability to elevate one's spiritual quality through practice, and even to realise one's true nature and attain Buddhahood, is an incredibly rare and precious occurrence—even within the vast, boundless universe. Yet, it is precisely here, on this land of China, that I have witnessed such things."

The Principles of a Primordial Demon

"Throughout the last ten thousand years of Chinese history, as everyone knows, there have been countless wars. Among the refugees, there were always those in truly pitiful states—displaced, starving, and dying in the chaos. I, Mo Baha, have always made it a point to manipulate those driven by greed and selfishness, leading them to make foolish choices and pay a heavy price. However, I have always held one principle: I extend a helping hand to the refugees of war.

If, at a critical moment, I find a side that is genuinely willing to help these suffering people, I do not control them; instead, I provide them with a measure of protection. This was the principle I operated by during the wars in China. After all, these humans were already suffering so deeply; there was no need to drive them to total extinction. It served no purpose for us in the demon realms, so helping them was a simple matter."

The Decline of Moral Foundations

"Those with sensitivity will realise that if a leader was prone to slaughtering cities, looting, and making the lives of surrendered civilians miserable, they would receive the most ruthless control from me. I ensured they would quickly face failure due to their own foolish decisions.

The ancestors of China used many methods to ensure children received moral education from a young age, allowing them to truly grasp the meaning of 'morality'. This was necessary, for even among us demons, there are those who value justice and goodness. For those with true cultivation, virtue, and integrity—or those who sought to save the world—we would naturally show a degree of respect. This is a 'natural phenomenon within nature'. For ten thousand years, I encountered many such Chinese people, and I would always choose to detour or show them respect.

However, for the last century or two, such people have vanished. Can you name anyone today whose virtue would make us demons step aside or offer protection? It would make us laugh. You cannot fake virtue; it is either there or it is not. We demons see it clearly. It is no wonder that in Buddhist terms, this is called the 'Dharma-Ending Age'. Indeed, for the last ten thousand years, the quality of humanity has been declining day by day."

Encounters with Sages and Masters

"In China, the four sages—Confucius, Mencius, Laozi, and Zhuangzi—are known to all. When they appeared in the world, I crossed paths with them. I felt it an honour to meet such virtuous beings. Sometimes, I felt their work was worth supporting, so I would offer a little help without attempting any control. In truth, one could not control them, for their hearts were pure and good. This is an absolute fact. Just as one with evil or deviant energy naturally becomes a target for our control, these four sages possessed an energy that was transcendent and otherworldly. You naturally felt they were a different kind of existence, one that commanded respect. Perhaps this is what I have come to understand as the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way, as taught by Practitioner Su at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre.

If one spends time with the ancestral masters and venerable masters of China, one can clearly feel the difference between those who practise and those who do not. When a person's heart is not pure, it is difficult for other spirits to feel respect. This is what the Buddha’s teachings call 'dignified deportment'. When a person's heart is clean and empty, reaching true purity and non-action, the natural dignity they manifest makes spirits feel respect and a willingness to accept their teachings. This is my personal experience on the land of China."

The Interference of the Demon Realm

"During the Tang Dynasty, I encountered a Buddhist master who had a profound impact on me: the renowned Tripitaka Master Xuanzang, who is known today as Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. When Master Xuanzang was translating the scriptures to propagate the Buddha's teachings, he brought back texts from the Western Regions and began the massive task of translation. We demons interfered constantly. I was one of them, for such a great undertaking could save countless beings, and we could not allow it to go unchallenged. This is the 'demonic test' that every practitioner must face on the path of saving the world.

At that time, I saw Master Xuanzang and his disciple, Venerable Bianji, working hard to complete the 'Great Tang Records on the Western Regions'. I applied some magic to interfere, but to my surprise, besides the Dharma-protecting Bodhisattvas, Master Xuanzang's body emitted intense golden light. I intended to disrupt the Buddhist work, but instead, I found myself listening to his teachings. Although it was brief, under the power and virtue of Master Xuanzang, I seemed to understand the principles of the Buddha's teachings. It stirred me deeply. Later, I realised this master was a truly accomplished practitioner, and I withdrew. I have kept this experience buried deep in my heart."

The Choice to Enter the Light

"My demon palaces were distributed widely. Besides those near the Daci'en Temple, I had palaces near the Four Sacred Mountains. This was my way of commemorating the Buddhist masters. My 'demon children and grandchildren' knew that we should respect the truly virtuous. For the evil and the corrupt, we exerted control—that is our role. But for the rare, good-hearted people, we would hold back. That was the survival code of our lineage.

For the last few decades, almost no one in China has understood what 'virtue' means. To modern people, it is just an empty theory. They do not understand its importance, yet they are obsessed with material pursuits. This development has deviated too far from the ancestors. In such an environment, we can control people as we please without hesitation, because their inner energy is completely wrong. For me, they have become entirely open to control.

I occasionally miss the virtuous Chinese of the past, as their energy felt comfortable. But today's people have demon-like natures that grow stronger by the day. If you didn't use your physical eyes, you might mistake them for demons. Today, Practitioner Su is actively working to save the fate of the Buddha's teachings, using the power of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre to rescue the wisdom-life of the Chinese people. This is truly the only way.

When Practitioner Su uses the Twelve Lights of Namo Amituofo to perform Chao Du across China, sweeping through the spaces of various provinces, countless demon palaces were reduced to nothing. My own palaces were discovered by Practitioner Su and vanished in an instant. I felt nothing; I knew Practitioner Su was a truly accomplished practitioner, even an awakened being. I have no desire to resist such a Buddha; on the contrary, I have great respect for him. Entering the light is a good thing. Thus, I led my followers into the Twelve Lights of Practitioner Su and arrived at the Western Dharma-Nature Land at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia."

A New Beginning in the Dharma-Nature Land

"Upon arriving at the Dharma-Nature Land, we were instantly tonsured and dressed in white robes. I do not know what kind of power this is, but it is truly formidable. We soon felt different—like disciples of the Buddha. I love my new appearance. I shed tears of gratitude before the Buddha and prostrated to Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su.

In the Dharma-Nature Land, I learned a principle: 'Only through self-salvation can one be saved by the Buddha.' This is the core of the Pure Land Dharma Gate. The Buddha's power is infinitely supportive, but one must have the foundation of self-effort. This is so true! People must understand that even demons know to show respect to those who are disciplined, virtuous, and self-reliant. If people do not cultivate their own virtue and are interfered with by spirits or demons, it is a natural consequence. Self-effort is essential.

Now, as I listen to the sutras and hear the Dharma here, I feel deep repentance and shame. I never realised the magnitude of the sins I committed in the Demon Realm. I do not know how to repay them, so I follow Practitioner Su's advice: forget the past, do not dwell on it, and live in the present by chanting 'Namo Amituofo'. I do this every day, and I feel very happy. My face is becoming softer day by day, and the Buddha-name I chant feels more compassionate. I chant loudly and joyfully. I no longer feel like a demon, but like a student of the Buddha. This is the transformation brought about by the pure, bright power of the Western Dharma-Nature Land."

A Final Warning to the Demon Realm

"I know many demons in China are still stubborn and want to attack Practitioner Su. I do not understand why you persist. This has been tried too many times with no success; it has been proven that it cannot work. You must understand that Practitioner Su is a follower of the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way—he is the embodiment of Truth. With the combination of Practitioner Su in the human world and Namo Amituofo in the spiritual realm, this 'dual-Buddha' power of Chao Du is something no demon can withstand. Please, be wise and stop the foolish acts of casting spells to attack Practitioner Su. The karmic retribution you will face is immense. More importantly, how will you bear the karma of harming a Buddha and blocking him from saving sentient beings? You have already created immeasurable sins in the Demon Realm; do you want to destroy your last chance at salvation? I believe no wise ancient demon would want to do this.

Stop the attacks on Practitioner Su. I hope everyone will quickly come to the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre to seek refuge. This is the broad, straight path prepared for us by the Buddha. Because of the Western Dharma-Nature Land established by Practitioner Su—his own Buddha-land—we have the opportunity to chant the Buddha's name and be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss! To have such a great opportunity and yet choose to remain in the Demon Realm attacking Practitioner Su is truly 'throwing stones at one's own feet'.

That is all I have to say today. Gratitude to Namo Amituofo, gratitude to Practitioner Su.

Namo Amituofo.

Mo Baha"