The Demon of Fame and Fortune: A Path to Purification

This is a record of an interview with the spirit known as Shi Jingxin, a demon of fame and fortune who sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Dharma-Nature Land, reflecting upon his past as a manipulator of human desires and his eventual transformation through the power of the Dharma. This interview was recorded by the chief writer, Shi Faxin, on March 24, 2020.

Shi Jingxin speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Shi Jingxin. Upon arriving in this place filled with golden light, I knew immediately that I had come to the right place. Namo Amituofo is so magnificent, so towering, and in His presence, I felt incredibly small. The gold and jewels here—they are exactly the kind of things I have always craved. In the past, while I roamed the Demon Realm, I was constantly searching for useful human bodies to inhabit so that I could indulge in luxury. I loved standing in high positions, basking in the applause of others. Even my own 'demon children and grandchildren' would flatter me constantly, knowing that I thrived on such treatment. If I heard something pleasant, I was happy; if anything went against my wishes, I would fly into a rage, making those around me tremble and listen. Naturally, the people I controlled were just as corrupt as I was."

The Struggle for Recognition

"Since arriving in the Western Dharma-Nature Land, life has been comfortable—the food and drink are excellent—but no one here praises me. This leaves me feeling somewhat lost, as I have always craved the feeling of being seen and admired. Even now, as I speak to you, I find myself wanting to talk more and more, desperate to show off. Compared to the great demons, I have had few opportunities to truly 'perform,' so I find solace in dressing in the clothes I like and indulging in self-admiration. The fact that I can have whatever I desire here is my greatest comfort.

Although I have been listening to the Dharma talks, and I know that Practitioner Su says everything in the human world is illusory, I still find myself longing for respect. I want to be honoured; I want to return to the human world to continue my indulgences. Since becoming a demon, I have rarely spent time in the vastness of the universe; instead, I have lived within human bodies, enjoying wealth and sleeping in soft beds. I cannot let go, and my delusions are still numerous. Some of these delusions can be satisfied here in the Western Dharma-Nature Land, but most cannot, which makes my heart restless. I keep looking around, and to my shock, I even saw several 'great figures' sitting in the audience listening to the Dharma. I was confused—aren't they still in the human world? I even saw people I used to control. I only left them because our habits stopped aligning, and I moved on to a more compatible target. Day after day, my heart remains unsettled because my attachment to worldly desires is simply too heavy. Many times, I have thought about returning to the human world, but seeing so many other demon crowds arriving here, I realise that even if I went back, I probably would not survive for long."

The Power of the Dharma Assembly

"I have become so accustomed to inhabiting human bodies that I have adopted human patterns of thought. While Practitioner Su was giving his Dharma talk, my mind was racing—it never stopped for a single moment. It was only when Practitioner Su unleashed the 'Lion’s Roar' that I was truly shaken.

As more and more spirits flooded into the temple, I realised a Dharma assembly was about to begin. On the day of the assembly, I saw everyone lined up in perfect order. With a wave of Practitioner Su's hand, tables upon tables of food appeared—it seemed endless, and every dish was steaming hot. At first, I had no interest. Having lived through celebrities, I was used to lavish feasts and expensive tonics; this vegetarian food seemed unappealing. I stood to the side, watching, until I saw how much everyone else was enjoying it. Before I knew it, my own stomach began to rumble, and I found a seat to eat. To my surprise, it tasted quite good.

After I had eaten my fill, I saw sixty figures dressed in ancient official robes, each being led by an emanation of Practitioner Su. This was my first time witnessing his Dharma Body, and the sight was so instantaneous that it startled me. In the past, throughout the universe, beings would simply move at high speeds or use evil cells to control humans. But when Practitioner Su’s Dharma Body manifested, it seemed to have no boundaries. His movements were so swift that he would vanish from sight, only to return a moment later leading an endless sea of spirits. Behind every Dharma Body followed an equally endless procession of Dharma protectors. When the Buddha-name began to resonate, the speed at which everyone moved was so fast that I was left completely dumbfounded. I had never seen such a massive, grand Chao Du, and everything happened too quickly for me to even react. As spirits from different realms were brought back from all directions, they were all dressed in new garments. Some who were chanting Namo Amituofo began to emit a brilliant light, and the surrounding Dharma protectors helped lead these boundless beings. Some looked at the Buddha and wept with emotion, while others stood there in a daze, seemingly as stunned as I was by what they were witnessing. The more I watched, the more astonished I became, and eventually, I found myself offering praise from the depths of my heart. As a demon of fame and fortune, the longer I remained a demon, the more arrogance I developed, often looking down on everything. But here, the vast and boundless Chao Du across all realms left me in awe. I am only willing to listen to those I truly respect. From that moment on, I have listened to the Dharma talks with complete sincerity. I want to see how Practitioner Su achieved this, and I want to imitate him, for I wish to achieve the same. I have always been confident and careful in my actions, and my judgment is rarely wrong. I know I have come to the right place! I am grateful to the Buddha for giving me the Dharma name 'Shi Jingxin'—'Pure Heart.' I will work to shed my demon nature and purify myself further. If there is anything I can do to help, I am ready to contribute my part.

The spread of this pandemic is a result of the overly complex greed inherent in human nature. Everyone is afraid of death, especially the wealthy, the famous, and the pragmatic. From my perspective as a demon of this generation, I would tell Practitioner Su: if the information that the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre can heal this pandemic were more widely known, those who fear death would all come here. This place is the hope of the human world, and I shall wait and see."

Namo Amituofo.