This interview was recorded on April 11, 2022, by Chief Writer Shi Faxin at the Hsiang Kuang Buddhist Centre. It features a demon known as Mo Yan Yan, who previously sought to interfere with the eyes of Practitioner Su. After being subdued by the boundless protectors of the temple, this entity was brought into the , where it now resides and listens to the teachings of the Buddha.
Mo Yan Yan speaks:
". I am the demon known as Mo Yan Yan. I have spent countless lifetimes hiding within the eyes of human beings. To the human eye, the space within the eyeball seems small, but in reality, it is a vast, complex dimension. Whenever I enter a pair of eyes, I must quickly find a place to settle. There are so many images constantly flashing within the visual field, and I must be careful to avoid being drawn into them. If I were to become captivated by the scenes playing out in the eyes, I would be trapped and buried within that space. Therefore, every time I enter, I immediately seek out a space that resonates with my own nature. I work in tandem with that space, using the dual power of the physical body and my own demon nature to force to obey our control."
The First Line of Control
"Whenever the eyes cast an unfriendly glance at someone, that is our immediate opportunity to manifest our demon nature. Because of that hostility, the head begins to react instantly. It starts to analyse, to ruminate, and to dwell on the negative aspects of what was just seen. Once the mind drifts toward the dark, the rest of the body begins to vibrate in resonance. In terms of the entire human body, we are the first line of demon crowds that control the physical form.
The scope of our control is incredibly broad. We influence children who compete and compare themselves with one another, employees in the workplace vying for position, and even the elderly who look down upon the younger generation. As soon as the eyes register a ripple of dissatisfaction, we receive the signal immediately. Our response time is lightning-fast. We stand up and work alongside the other demon crowds within the body, making the person feel restless and ensuring that every thought and intention is filled with demon nature. The more demonic the thoughts, the more active we can be within them."
The Vulnerability of Human Subjectivity
"We specifically target the human world because humans are so deeply attached to their own subjectivity. Especially in this modern age, as society progresses, both men and women hold certain social statuses. The process of climbing to high positions inevitably involves constant analysis and calculation. Once these mental notes arise, it gives us plenty of room to operate. We can say that we are perfectly in sync with human nature. I had just finished controlling a high-ranking official. Because he viewed things through a distorted lens, he made many disastrous decisions. When he was about to face his , I decided to leave his body and wash my hands of the matter.
I began searching for my next target. I looked around, and it seemed that everyone was already under the control of some demon crowd. I wondered if there was a greater target out there that would allow me to truly flex my abilities. Just as I was feeling frustrated, one of my 'demon children and grandchildren' approached me and reported: 'There is a place on Earth that no demon has ever been able to infiltrate; they have all been subdued.' I was shocked. I had never heard of such a thing. No one had ever been a match for our Demon Realm. I did not believe it, because human nature is almost always rooted in selfishness."
The Unreachable Golden Light
"After gathering a group of demon crowds, we decided to come and see for ourselves. Upon arrival, I saw golden light erupting everywhere, protected by a massive, impenetrable shield. This was the first time I had ever wanted to enter a human body but found myself unable to do so. I circled around and around, desperately trying to find a way in.
As I watched the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre continue to develop, I wanted to tell Practitioner Su: 'I understand human nature too well. Humans only care about themselves; they are incredibly selfish. Trying to save humanity is exceptionally difficult, and most of the time, you will not receive any gratitude—they might even turn around and bite you.' Since Practitioner Su wanted to save people, I thought he needed to see the true face of human character. Since I could not get close to Practitioner Su, I tried to transmit my thoughts to him. The more people there are, the more complex the human heart becomes, and the more sources of interference there are.
In the human world today, the more capable a person is, the less likely they are to listen to advice. Everyone has their own sharp edges; it is truly difficult to save them. But no matter how I tried to transmit my voice, Practitioner Su seemed not to hear me at all. It was as if he only felt a slight itch in his ear; he did not take a single word of mine to heart."
A Lesson in Purity
"Finally, I decided that since I was already here, I would try to force my way in. To my surprise, the boundless Dharma protectors blocked my path, and I was sent into the Western Dharma-Nature Land. Now, as I sit here quietly listening to the sutras, I finally understand: Practitioner Su’s entire body is transparent, pure, and filled with absolute Goodness. That is why he is never disturbed by my demonic signals. Having witnessed the true skills of Practitioner Su, I am filled with admiration, and I have decided to stay and learn more."
Practitioner Su has bestowed upon the demon Mo Yan Yan the Dharma name: Shi Benyang.
