The Choice of the Heart: An Interview with the Demon Jason

This is a record of an interview with Jason, an ancient demon 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 approximately 5.5 billion years ago. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fa, on October 8, 2024.

Jason speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Jason. For five and a half billion years, I have existed as a being of the demonic path. Throughout that vast, endless stretch of time, I became a true demon.

Once, long ago, I sought liberation within the light. I even put forth great effort in my practice. But through countless setbacks, I gradually lost the firmness of my faith. Doubt and resentment sprouted like weeds within my heart-fields, eventually covering the light I once held within, leading me to choose the descent into darkness."

A Massive Assault on the Light

"This time, I arrived with two hundred 'Earths' worth of demon children and grandchildren to attack Practitioner Su, and another ten 'Earths' worth to attack the fourfold assembly of disciples at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. I unleashed a massive amount of 'drowsiness magic.' Only Practitioner Su was able to withstand it; the fourfold assembly was almost entirely overwhelmed, falling into such a deep state of drowsiness that they could not act of their own volition.

Our power was like a surging tide, intent on seizing control of this place of light. We knew that Practitioner Su’s throat had been attacked and was now hoarse and silent; we saw this as our golden opportunity. We could not tolerate his compassion continuing to transform this world, nor could we bear to see the salvation work of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre proceed smoothly."

The Shield of the Dharma Protectors

"I led my demon children and grandchildren to surround the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre from all directions. Our dark power spread like a thick fog, encircling the temple. We pushed forward continuously, like countless black tidal waves, determined to submerge this holy site that symbolises light.

I had assumed everything would go according to plan, but I did not expect so many protective forces to emerge. It was the radiance of the Dharma protectors. They stood guard by Practitioner Su’s side, using an indestructible shield of light to block our attacks.

I looked at Practitioner Su. His gaze remained calm, his compassion permeated with firmness. Even though his throat could not produce a sound, he stood amidst golden light, a radiance that emitted endless warmth and power. Our darkness kept surging toward him, but that light repelled our power time and time again."

The Cracks in the Darkness

"I felt a deep sense of unease within. My demon children and grandchildren attacked repeatedly, but under the illumination of that golden light, they began to waver. Their eyes grew lost, and the seeds of Goodness that had never truly vanished from the depths of their hearts began to surface, soothed by the golden light. This made me feel both angry and afraid. I could not allow my dark power to dissipate in such a way.

I decided not to wait any longer. I would bring forth an even greater intensity of attack, determined to shatter this light. I knew that if I could defeat Practitioner Su this time, we would be able to completely destroy this place of light and let darkness reign once more. Because without Practitioner Su, this place of light would cease to exist."

The Compassion of Namo Amituofo

"However, just as I was exerting my full strength in the attack, I saw Namo Amituofo. The radiance was even more dazzling. The golden light emanated from the Buddha’s body—an immeasurable and boundless light and power—and this immense force began to orbit me. I felt the compassion and warmth from the depths of the Buddha’s heart. It was as if my own heart had been completely opened, no longer sealed within the darkness.

The resentment, pain, and attachments hidden in the depths of my heart gradually vanished under the illumination of that golden light. I saw that these negative feelings stemmed from many profound memories, which had kept me attached and unable to leave, unable to let go of the past.

In those memories, I saw how I had once strived so hard in my practice, only to be struck down time and again by failure. I saw that after experiencing so much pain and resentment, I had finally chosen the darkness. It was a path filled with hatred and suffering, but at the time, I felt I had no other choice. From the depths of those sealed memories, too many past experiences came rushing forth."

A Tearful Repentance

"I fell to my knees, and tears flowed uncontrollably. The golden light was like a warm spring, washing away the darkness within my heart. The 'self' that had been buried by resentment began to awaken. I felt a sense of peace within my heart once more—a feeling I had not known for years. This purity was so familiar, yet so strange. Tears fell again, beyond my control.

Many people find it hard to imagine how dark and painful this path of the Demon Realm truly is. People only think of how dark and terrifying the Demon Realm is, but no one ever remembers what we were like before.

'Practitioner Su, I am willing to let go of the past and walk toward the light once more,' I decided firmly in my heart. This change reminded me of who I once was. I made a vow to find myself again and to engage in diligent practice."

"My demon children and grandchildren saw my transformation, and they too began to waver. They fell to their knees, bowing their heads and weeping, looking toward the Buddha with hearts full of repenting. Their eyes were filled with remorse and longing. They all declared that they would join me in surrendering to Namo Amituofo, refusing to remain in the darkness or live those painful days any longer."

Reflections on the Fourfold Assembly

"I observed the fourfold assembly of disciples at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, and I saw that their states of practice vary. Some lay practitioners may appear diligent in their daily lives, but their hearts hide many unspoken thoughts. They are always looking for 'gains' in their practice, yet they cannot see their own true situation. There are others who attempt to put in the minimum effort while expecting the greatest reward. Such a mindset allowed my demon children and grandchildren to easily intervene in their hearts, magnifying their inner fears and causing them to stagnate on the path of practice, unable to grow.

We saw that Practitioner Su is truly working under immense hardship! I feel endless gratitude toward Practitioner Su, and my heart is filled with emotion. I know how difficult it is to encounter such a magnificent Dharma, and to finally wake up from it all. I had been completely submerged in darkness, unable to believe in the light; it was Practitioner Su who allowed me to touch the light again and truly obtain rebirth. I will never return to that world filled with darkness and pain, and I will never again fall into that endless cycle of rebirth."

A New Path of Salvation

"I see the compassion and love in Practitioner Su’s eyes. It was only after I re-embraced the light that I truly felt this. I will cherish this, and I know I must be diligent. I am very sorry for the harm I once caused Practitioner Su. But the 'me' of today is truly awake; I know I must genuinely change myself and no longer allow myself to fall into the demon path.

This time, I will relearn the righteous path, follow Namo Amituofo, and join the salvation team led by Practitioner Su. I will be active and diligent, doing my utmost to use all my abilities to serve all beings.

Now, many ancient demons and old demons are coming to the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre to surrender to Namo Amituofo. Because Practitioner Su has truly opened all the spaces of the Dharma Realm, all beings from immeasurable eons past will come to receive Chao Du.

I will become a being with protective power, much like a Dharma protector, actively helping the salvation team to operate smoothly. I will also do my best to further improve my own abilities, hoping to help even more beings.

Gratitude to Namo Amituofo. Gratitude to Practitioner Su. I will certainly seize this magnificent and rare opportunity to follow the Buddha and save the world.

Namo Amituofo."