This interview was recorded on July 5, 2024, at the Hsiang Kuang Buddhist Centre. The speaker is Mo Kuang, an ancient demon who has existed for nine hundred million years. After a long history of polluting the hearts of humanity, Mo Kuang sought deliverance through the of at a assembly led by Practitioner Su. He now resides in the light of the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, having renounced his past to guide others away from the traps of the virtual world.
Mo Kuang speaks:
"Namo Amituofo. I am Mo Kuang, an ancient demon who has existed in this universe for nine hundred million years. My power originates from demonic beings, and my task has always been to pollute the character of humanity, leading them toward delusion and darkness. In ancient times, I primarily achieved my goals by inciting greed, anger, and delusion within people. As time passed, my influence expanded, until in this modern era, internet addiction became my most formidable weapon.
With the advancement of modern technology, the internet has become the perfect medium for me to exert my power. Modern children are immersed in the virtual world at every waking moment; their hearts are flooded with countless streams of information. This information is saturated with violence, pornography, deception, and hypocrisy. These are all traps I have set, designed to pollute the hearts of all children and quickly turn them into pawns for my use."
The Web of Virtual Addiction
"I knew that to successfully control these children, I had to make them addicted to the internet. Therefore, I utilised various seductive forces—online games, social media, and various dating platforms—to ensure they could not extricate themselves. Whenever they became obsessed with these virtual worlds, their hearts would gradually become polluted, turning prematurely mature yet devoid of true innocence. They lost interest in the real world and gradually lost their passion for learning and life.
Every child lived within the virtual world I created. When I exerted my demonic power, I could keep them under my control, constantly attracting them and keeping them addicted to that world, unable to break free. Online gaming is one of my most powerful weapons. These games attract countless children with their gorgeous graphics, stimulating plots, and endless challenges. Many children, in order to achieve high scores, would neglect their meals and sleep, even sacrificing their study time. The virtual sense of achievement in these games keeps them hooked, and I am the one who uses this sense of accomplishment to control them."
Social Media and the Illusion of Validation
"Social media is another vital means by which I exert my power. Modern children are accustomed to sharing their lives on social media, seeking approval and attention. They spend hours every day browsing their friends' updates, chasing the number of likes and shares, which makes them anxious and restless. I use this anxiety to deepen their dependence on the internet, making it impossible for them to escape this virtual world.
Furthermore, various video platforms are essential tools for me to influence children. The content on these platforms is diverse, ranging from comedic shorts to horror movies. Children become addicted to these videos, often watching for hours on end. They seek stimulation and comfort in these virtual stories, gradually ignoring their responsibilities and duties in the real world. I also exploited various frauds and false information on the internet to confuse children. Modern society is rife with online scams, and many children, lacking judgment, fall victim to them. I use these scams to manipulate them, plunging them into panic and unease, further deepening their reliance on the internet."
The Cost of a Stolen Soul
"I remember one child who was originally a bright and promising student. However, caught in the internet traps I set, he gradually became addicted to online games. His academic performance plummeted, he eventually broke ties with his family, and he even lost his sense of self. I knew this was all my fault, but at the time, I did not care. I only wanted more souls to be controlled by me, more people to be lost in my internet world.
Over these years, I have seen countless children become prematurely mature due to internet addiction. They are no longer as simple and innocent as they once were; instead, they have become cunning, cold, and selfish. They have learned various bad behaviours online, and these behaviours have had a profound impact on their growth and development. The parents and teachers of these children often feel helpless and powerless. They watch their children become addicted to the internet but cannot pull them back from this virtual world. They have tried various methods, from limiting internet time to cutting off access, but these measures often have little effect because I have already taken deep root in the children's hearts, making them strongly dependent on the internet."
The Inevitable Price of Retribution
"I know that as time progresses, these internet-addicted children will become increasingly difficult to save. Their psychological and physical health will suffer severe damage, damage that may be irreversible. In modern society, internet addiction has become a serious problem. Many children neglect their studies and lives due to excessive internet use, and some even develop psychological issues. I watched them obsess over the virtual world day and night, unable to stop, and I secretly felt smug. My plan seemed to be a huge success.
Modern technology has also brought the problem of information overload. Children are exposed to massive amounts of information every day, often filled with violence, pornography, and falsehoods. They cannot distinguish the truth from the lies and are easily misled and deceived. They lose trust in the real world and in others, eventually falling into isolation and despair. I used this information overload to control them, making it impossible for them to escape this virtual world. I actually knew that when I committed these sins, there would be a price to pay. Watching these internet-addicted children become harder to save, I knew their psychological and physical health would be severely damaged, perhaps permanently. I knew that what I did would have a profound impact on their future, but at the time, I did not care. I only wanted more souls to be controlled by me."
The Piercing Light of Compassion
"For long, long years, I lured countless people into the internet world. Some became slaves to online games, neglecting everything just to gain a fleeting sense of virtual achievement. Others wasted their precious time on social media, chasing vanity. But then, there was a Dharma assembly held by Practitioner Su. That day, I was still manipulating countless children, keeping them addicted to the internet. But at the assembly, I saw the compassionate golden light of Namo Amituofo. That light pierced through my darkness, making me feel a shock I had never experienced before.
In the golden light of Namo Amituofo, I saw countless souls who had suffered endless pain because of my luring. They were lost in the virtual world, unable to extricate themselves, and some even lost their lives. This scene shocked me deeply. My heart felt a sadness I had never known before; I never expected that I would begin to reflect on everything I had done in the past. At that moment, I was truly repenting. I knelt before Namo Amituofo, repenting for my sins. I knew I had created countless karmic debts, leading to endless pain and delusion. I hoped to make amends for my mistakes and help the souls I had lured find the light again."
A New Path Toward the Light
"Namo Amituofo compassionately accepted me, allowing me to become a disciple under his guidance. I decided to spend the rest of my life helping children troubled by internet addiction, guiding them toward the righteous path. I hope that through my own efforts, I can make more people realise the dangers of internet addiction, return to the real world, and find true happiness. Under the guidance of Namo Amituofo, I have begun to walk the path of light. I know this is a long and difficult road, but I have made up my mind not to return to the darkness of the past.
I am no longer the demon Mo Kuang of the demonic beings. I have become a soul who has changed his ways, dedicated to helping those troubled by internet addiction. I know this is a path full of challenges, but I believe that as long as I persist, I will eventually succeed. In the days to come, I will continue to work hard to publicise the dangers of internet addiction to help more people break free from this problem. I hope that through my efforts, more people will recognise the harm of internet addiction, return to the real world, and find their true selves.
My story, from the darkness of nine hundred million years ago to the light of the modern day, I hope will bring inspiration to many. I am truly grateful for this Causal Condition today, which gave me the opportunity to wake up. Gratitude to Namo Amituofo, gratitude to Practitioner Su. Namo Amituofo."
