The Demon Within: A Testimony of Attachment

This is a record of an interview with Mo Fen, a demon who resided within the body of Lay Practitioner Yu Yuetao. The interview was conducted at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia to understand the spiritual obstacles faced by practitioners. Recorded by the chief writer, Venerable HaiZe, on July 28, 2021.

Mo Fen speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I have been inside her body for a long time. Whether my presence was manifest or hidden, it did not matter. Her heart was constantly focused on her physical form—worrying about this pain, that ache, this soreness, or that discomfort. When she returned from the hospital, the very first time Practitioner Su saw her and spoke to her, saying, 'Stop worrying about your body; seek rebirth in the Western Pure Land,' her heart sank. Her expression shifted instantly. Ha! That was the exact moment we could manifest ourselves.

There were many times when she could have focused on chanting Namo Amituofo to seek rebirth in the Western Pure Land, especially since the Buddha was right before her eyes. Yet, she did not truly chant. What she called 'chanting' was merely moving her lips to recite the Buddha-name, while her heart remained completely impure, cluttered with worldly concerns. We can chant the Buddha-name just as well as she did."

The Illusion of Devotion

"Her heart was always heavy and stifled. This was especially true when Practitioner Su would walk past her without asking a question or even glancing her way. On the surface, she acted as if nothing was wrong, and she tried to convince herself that she was fine, but in truth, her heart was bleeding. Practitioner Su was her idol; she desperately wanted Practitioner Su to save her, to take her to the Western Pure Land. But then, she heard that she had fallen into the hells. At that moment, there was no light left in her heart. In her eyes, one could see despair mixed with anger, hatred, and disappointment.

How could someone with so many wandering thoughts be expected to focus single-mindedly on chanting Namo Amituofo as they approached the end of their life? Her heart would drift to the past, to her home, to her children and grandchildren, and to money. Think about it—is this the state of mind of someone who is truly ready to chant and go to the Western Pure Land? Ha! Ha! Ha!"

The Gateway of Negative Thoughts

"You speak of 'single-minded chanting' and 'focused chanting,' but we saw absolutely none of that in her. It was not that we forced our way in; it was her own thoughts that attracted us. Furthermore, I had already been inside her for quite some time. I had come to the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre initially because I wanted to investigate how the practitioners here were conducting their practice. Legend has it that this is a place where the Buddha has descended to the human realm, and there are many followers here. This piqued the curiosity of us demon crowds, so we came to pay a visit.

Although many people in this era chant the Buddha-name, we have never seen anyone achieve such a level of practice that they could successfully attain rebirth in the Western Pure Land. Even the 'great elders' of the Pure Land school, whom we once respected to a degree, are now lying in bed, frail and sickly. We came from that direction to see how the disciples led by Practitioner Su were practicing. Who would have expected that this is how they would practice when facing the ultimate test of life and death?"

The Forbidden Attachment

"We were already residing within her before she even went to the hospital. She was constantly preoccupied with her body—this is the great taboo that Practitioner Su speaks of during her teachings. She committed this great taboo. Practitioner Su has repeatedly emphasised that one must not be attached to the body; this body is meant to be used as a vessel to find one's true self. We saw that she was filled with many beings, so we took advantage of the moments when she became drowsy during the teachings to enter her body.

Whenever she counted the days, hoping her body would hold out for a little longer, she was failing to let go. Every time Practitioner Su would lecture her, telling her that she could not save her, her heart would sink. In reality, her anger and hatred had already arisen. This was the perfect time for us demon crowds to enter. We took up residence in her eyes, her face, The Head, and her chest. We originally thought we could rest easy, letting her feel a bit more comfortable so that her body could last as long as possible. We never expected to be exposed. Since we were discovered, we had no choice but to come out.

However, there are still some of my 'demon children and grandchildren' left inside her. They enjoy staying in her body. According to Practitioner Su's wishes, should they continue to stay, or should they come out and join me here? If Practitioner Su wants them to come out, they do not seem to have any intention of doing so. Those who were able to come out this morning have already joined me. I humbly ask Practitioner Su to make the final decision."

Mo Fen

Namo Amituofo.