The Demon Who Interfered with Practitioner Su: An Awakening

This is a record of an interview with Mo Yisheng, a spirit who sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Dharma-Nature Land. This account reflects upon his long existence as a demon and his eventual transformation through the compassion of the Buddha. This interview was recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fa Xin, on April 13, 2022.

Mo Yisheng speaks:

Namo Amituofo. I am Mo Yisheng. The term demon is not merely a label; it is a manifestation of a base, inferior nature that exists within the depths of consciousness. Every single being carries this demon nature within them, dormant or active. When this nature surfaces, it is almost always driven by an instinctual, desperate need to protect the physical body. This body is incredibly fragile and cannot endure even the slightest stimulation. The moment it feels threatened or provoked, it lashes out instantly. The intensity of the anger is directly proportional to the force of the backlash that follows, and the destructive power unleashed is immense.

Two Hundred Thousand Years of Competition

I have spent two hundred thousand years in the Demon Realm, witnessing the long, arduous, and often brutal history of species evolution. I have observed every kind of creature—whether they were of the same species or entirely different—and they all share a fierce, unrelenting drive for competition. It is always the same: the struggle for territory, the hunger for power, and the thirst for influence. This base nature is not unique to animals; it is deeply embedded in humanity as well. Compared to animals, humans have simply developed a more advanced brain, but in terms of many core behaviours, there is truly no difference. Humans possess the same animalistic instincts, whether in the arena of competition or the primal urges of mating; the similarities are striking and undeniable.

As species continue to evolve, humans emerged from the animal kingdom, donned clothing, and began their long march toward development. While not every step of this history has been recorded, humanity has undeniably progressed toward civilisation. Yet, even within this civilised veneer, humans often remain as primitive as the animals from which they descended. I have watched this development for aeons, and sometimes I cannot help but laugh at the sight of humans—beings who wear clothes but hide a dark, primal void within their hearts. The moment someone harms them or their family, their fur stands on end, and they become instantly aggressive, just like a cornered beast.

A Tragic Origin: The Primitive Life

I became a member of the demon crowds, yet my form remained that of a primitive human. When I lived as a primitive human, I was born into a pure, pristine forest. My tribe was simple and innocent; we spent our days working together to find food, and once we gathered it, we shared everything equally. Life was peaceful and harmonious. I never expected that one day, while searching for food, I would wander beyond our usual territory. I stumbled upon a place where food was stored in abundance. I was so overjoyed at the sight! But just as I reached out to take some, I felt a sharp, piercing pain in my body.

I turned around to see a different tribe—they were dark-skinned and looked incredibly fierce. Upon discovering my intrusion, they grabbed sharpened wooden stakes and thrust them into me with immense force. The wood pierced right through my body. I collapsed in agony, unable to stand. They bound me, and fearing I might escape, they took sharp stones and scraped my skin—they scraped with such violence that they reached the bone. I died in a state of absolute agony, my body covered in blood and pain.

The Descent into Darkness

My terror and my rage drove me straight into the darkness. There, beings were waiting to welcome me, and they immediately began to indoctrinate me with the most wicked thoughts. Because my nature had been so simple, I believed them. To prove their point, they showed me the brutal competition between species, convincing me that everything they said was the absolute truth. Once I accepted their teachings, I believed every word. I allowed myself to grow stronger, more hateful, and eventually, more hideous. I followed them everywhere, committing evil deeds. They told us that only wicked thoughts could keep us in sync with the Demon Realm, and that those we tormented were at fault first—we were merely strengthening them. I never doubted them. Whatever they commanded, I did. Eventually, I became numb. I grew accustomed to controlling people in this way, transforming from my once-simple self into a true Demon King of the Demon Realm.

The Aha Moment at Hsiang Kuang

For tens of thousands of years, I controlled countless people using these methods, and I never once felt that I was wrong. Even though I was in the Demon Realm, I always maintained a straightforward, direct personality, as did the demon children and grandchildren under my command. When the elders of the Demon Realm ordered me to attack this place, I approached without a single doubt. But this mission was completely different from anything I had ever experienced before. I arrived at a place filled with such brilliant light that, at first, I did not know how to launch an attack. Usually, the beings we control in the Demon Realm are those who are in sync with our own nature, but I circled this place hundreds of times and could not find a single point of resonance.

I recalled the clear orders from the Demon Realm elders, and I felt I had no choice but to bite the bullet and charge into the light. I never expected that, without even understanding what was happening, I would be subdued. I felt a sudden wave of dizziness, and then I was locked within that brilliant light. In an instant, I was stunned. As I gazed at the golden light, the scenes of my primitive life flashed before my eyes, followed by the memories of my entry into the Demon Realm. It was then that I had my Aha moment—I realised I had been wrong. I had been so foolish, creating such heavy karmic retribution without even knowing it. I am truly repenting, and I humbly ask for forgiveness.

Practitioner Su, in her compassion, bestowed upon Mo Yisheng the Dharma name Shi Wenxin.

Namo Amituofo.