The Demon of the Digital Age: A Confession

This is a record of an interview with the spirit known as Mo Guang Chan, a demonic being who has existed for approximately thirty thousand years. He sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. This interview was recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fa Xi, on July 9, 2024.

Mo Guang Chan speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Mo Guang Chan. My story began thirty thousand years ago, in an era shrouded in mystery and the unknown. Back then, humanity lived in constant awe of nature, trembling before phenomena they could not comprehend. It was in that very environment of fear that I was born, and I learned early on that I could seize control of the human mind by feeding on that terror. I was a master of shadows, weaving my influence into the very fabric of their primitive lives, ensuring that their hearts remained tethered to the darkness I provided.

The Evolution of Control

In the beginning, my power was but a flicker, a mere whisper in the wind. Yet, as time marched on, I laboured to grow, gradually mastering the ability to manipulate brainwaves. This allowed me to influence the thoughts of men, steering them toward the dark paths I desired. People began to worship me, believing I was a deity capable of bestowing strength and Wisdom. My name was carved into stone monuments; I became the very foundation of their faith, a silent god watching over their every move.

During those long ages, I learned how to exploit the weaknesses of humanity to bolster my own strength. Their fears and their cravings became my most potent weapons. I could use them; I could control them with a mere thought. I guided them to perform rituals and offer sacrifices in exchange for my protection. These rituals did more than just strengthen me—they rooted me deep within their belief systems, making me an inseparable part of their lives. I was the architect of their devotion, and they were the willing subjects of my design.

The Digital Frontier

As civilization advanced, I began to sense the raw power of technology. It was a new, vibrant energy source that could amplify my influence a thousandfold. I adapted, mastering this new force, and I plotted to use it to expand my reach. I saw infinite possibilities; my power would no longer be confined to local shrines, but would permeate every corner of modern society. I realised that the digital age was the ultimate playground for a being such as myself.

I soon discovered that modern technology and the internet provided me with the perfect tools for manipulation. Today, the reliance of children on their mobile phones and computers has become my primary gateway. I use these technologies to hook them, dragging them into an addiction from which they cannot easily escape. I have become the invisible hand guiding their every click, their every scroll, and their every fleeting thought.

The Web of Addiction

The internet has made the world smaller and information travel faster, but it has also birthed a new kind of suffering. Many children spend countless hours lost in online games, social media, and other digital activities. This excessive use is what you call 'internet addiction.' These children begin to suffer from anxiety, depression, and social isolation. Their academic performance plummets, and their relationships with their families become strained and fraught with conflict. Internet addiction is a poison that severely damages the physical and mental health of the youth, and I have been the one pouring that poison into their lives.

In the past, I relied on fear and desire to control minds. With the changing times, I began to study modern technology, specifically brainwave manipulation. This is a technique that directly influences brain activity. By adjusting the frequency of different brainwaves, I can precisely control the emotions and behaviours of my targets. I have spent eons refining this art, ensuring that my influence is as subtle as it is absolute.

The Mechanics of Manipulation

When I use brainwave manipulation to make children more susceptible to internet addiction, I target their specific brainwave patterns. I tailor my influence to the individual, ensuring that every internet user exhibits the exact behaviour I desire. Brainwaves are the electrical signals produced by brain activity; different frequencies correspond to different mental states and cognitive activities, each exerting a unique level of influence. I have learned to tune these frequencies like a master musician playing a dark, discordant symphony.

When they play games or browse social media, I adjust their brain activity. Through the visual nerves and other sensory channels, I ensure the brain receives a surge of stimulation. This makes them feel happy and excited, compelling them to continue the activity without pause. I have designed games that reward children for completing tasks. This instant feedback loop forces them to repeat the game, trapping them in a virtual world where they feel a false sense of achievement and joy. I trigger their brains to secrete various substances that cement their addiction, making them crave the digital world more than the reality they inhabit.

The Virtual Prison

I have also designed numerous social media platforms. By pushing personalised content, I keep them scrolling endlessly, sinking deeper into the virtual abyss. I exploit their inner vulnerabilities, controlling them so they cannot stop using these sites. I make them crave the latest information, and I use that information to destabilise their emotional state. One moment they are excited, the next they are lonely or insecure. I have made their inner lives entirely subject to the control of the virtual world. They lose their autonomy, and this leads to severe physical and mental health issues. It is a prison without walls, yet they are more confined than any prisoner in history.

As the internet has become ubiquitous, the forms of addiction have diversified. Beyond games and social media, there is online shopping, gambling, and pornography. These behaviours exploit different psychological needs, trapping people in a cycle they cannot break. Online shopping satisfies the craving for instant gratification; gambling exploits the hunger for the thrill of winning; and online pornography satisfies base sexual needs and fantasies. Together, these forms of addiction make the problem incredibly complex and difficult to solve, and I have been the architect of this intricate web of suffering.

A Change of Heart

I began to design a series of alluring digital products, using reinforcement mechanisms and personalised content to ensnare children. This manipulation has not only affected the children but has had a profound impact on society as a whole. Parents are terrified for their children's future, and educational institutions are struggling to cope. I knew my conspiracy would eventually be exposed, but until then, I intended to use these technologies to expand my reach. I was arrogant, believing that my power was eternal and that no force could ever challenge my dominion over the human mind.

My manipulation made children increasingly dependent on the internet, devastating their real lives. Parents and teachers tried to help, but it was not easy, for I had burrowed deep into their thoughts. However, everything changed when I accidentally participated in a Buddhist Dharma assembly. During the assembly, I felt the compassionate golden light of Namo Amituofo. That light illuminated my inner darkness, allowing me to see the magnitude of the sins I had committed. It was a blinding, transformative experience that shattered the illusions I had spent thirty thousand years constructing.

I felt a powerful force acting upon me, making me deeply understand the errors of my ways. When I heard the teachings of Practitioner Su during the assembly, my heart was filled with shame and remorse. I knew, truly, that I had been wrong. I decided to surrender to Namo Amituofo, to repent for my past, and to dedicate myself to helping those I had lured into the digital web. I am no longer the demon who seeks to destroy; I am a being who now seeks to save.

A New Path

Today, I am no longer the demon Mo Guang Chan who lured children into digital addiction. I hope that through my efforts, I can help more people escape the trap of internet addiction and find their true selves in the real world. My manipulation caused immense suffering, and I have spent much time reflecting on my actions. Seeing the pain I caused makes me deeply uneasy, but the power of Namo Amituofo has allowed me to wake up. I have chosen to practise the Dharma and to walk the path of light.

Although this path of salvation is not easy, I firmly believe that as long as I work hard, I can help those children find the right direction. I am so grateful for all the Causal Conditions that led me here. I am grateful to Namo Amituofo, and I am grateful to Practitioner Su. I will continue to strive forward, using the very tools I once used for destruction to now bring about healing and liberation. Namo Amituofo."

Namo Amituofo.