Shedding Demon Nature

This is a record of an interview with Venerable Yongning, who sought Chao Du at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. Once a being of demon nature, he has undergone a profound transformation through the compassionate guidance of Practitioner Su. He now serves as a monastic, dedicated to protecting the Buddha-land and helping other suffering spirits find their way to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This interview was recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fajing, on August 2, 2023.

Venerable Yongning speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Yongning. When human beings hear the word 'demon,' what is their immediate reaction? What does it feel like to be told that one possesses a demon nature? I know the answer to this intimately, for I was once a demon myself. If it were not for the boundless compassion of Practitioner Su, who reached out to save me, I would still be trapped in that dark existence today. I would never have had the opportunity to change, to repent, or to walk the path of the Buddha."

The Reality of Being a Demon

"After I was subdued by Practitioner Su, it was not as if my demon nature vanished in an instant. It was still there, lurking in the shadows of my consciousness. The process of transformation has been a continuous, arduous journey of overcoming the darkness within, helping myself time and time again to turn away from evil and return to the path of righteousness. It is a constant struggle to refine one's own heart.

In this process of change, the most difficult thing to overcome is one's own distorted thinking. When you carry a demon nature, your mind is prone to negative thoughts. For a human, this manifests as being suspicious, jumping to conclusions, or seeing a single event and immediately assuming the worst. You might see a scene or hear a snippet of information and, before the truth is ever clarified, you have already painted a dark picture of the other person or the situation. It is only after the truth finally comes to light that you realise you have completely misunderstood the situation or the person involved. It is a painful way to live, constantly trapped in a web of one's own making."

The Weight of Past Karma

"Beyond these distorted thoughts, a body and mind influenced by demon nature are easily plagued by jealousy, the urge to compare oneself to others, and the tendency to create discriminations. You develop high and low standards for people and events, and you are prone to chasing after things that are far beyond your reach. There are so many habits—too many to list—that are inextricably linked to this demon nature. My own experience was even more severe. In the past, when I could not control my emotions, I was prone to extreme and destructive thoughts. I wanted to destroy the world, and I even wanted to destroy myself, to give up entirely. I was in such immense pain, and though I did not want to be that way, it felt as though I had naturally become that person.

In those days, no one told me what I should do, so I continued to create karma, harming immeasurable and boundless beings. It is only now, having surrendered to the Buddha and taken up the duty of guarding the Buddha-land, that I have begun to understand how to change my heart. By following Practitioner Su and listening to his Dharma talks, I have finally learned the way forward."

The Process of Transformation

"I can see clearly now that every person carries some degree of demon nature within them. But that is alright; it can be changed. I do not feel ashamed of having been a demon. What is truly precious is the ability to repent and the presence of a heart that genuinely wants to change. My deepest regret is for the spirits and beings I harmed in the past; they are still suffering. It is only now, as I learn the practice of Chao Du, that I have the opportunity to help them leave their realms of suffering.

During the course of my practice, my old personality often tries to stir up trouble and disrupt the peace within my heart. This, too, is a manifestation of my remaining demon nature. I have learned to face my true self with courage. Every time that demon nature emerges, I teach it to change. It needs to learn, and it requires patient guidance. Only by making mistakes and correcting them, over and over again, can one achieve a genuine and lasting transformation."

A Message to Fellow Practitioners

"Although I have not yet shed all of my demon nature, I am much better than I was before. I am still continuing to learn from Practitioner Su—learning compassion, expanding my mind-capacity, and practising selflessness and no-self. There is so much to learn, but I am not in a hurry. Every good quality requires patient cultivation; there is no such thing as an achievement that can be rushed. Therefore, I hope that every Buddhist practitioner who is seeking to change will not be anxious. No achievement comes overnight. Only through continuous, relentless refinement can one thoroughly learn good character and proper conduct. Once you have truly learned these things, your heart will be filled with Dharma joy.

Letting go of demon nature and learning the Buddha-heart and Buddha-actions is something that everyone can achieve. I wish to encourage all of you on this path. Namo Amituofo."