The Demon's Confession: From Victim to Murderer

This interview was recorded on March 19, 2020, at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. The speaker is the spirit of Huang Ruiming, a man who suffered a tragic betrayal in his past life and subsequently descended into the realm of demons. After being subdued by Practitioner Su, he now resides in the Western Dharma-Nature Land, where he reflects on the cycle of cause and effect that led to his transformation.

The Spirit of Huang Ruiming speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. When people hear the word 'demon,' they are naturally filled with fear. If you hear the term 'murderous demon,' it might make your heart tremble—hahaha! I am the one known as the murderous demon. I am that ticking time bomb that appears by your side at any moment. Are you afraid? Especially now, with teenagers addicted to the virtual world of online violence, we have long since taken control of those graphic scenes of killing and slaughter. Whenever these youths are provoked, it is the perfect time for us to act. We incite them to be fierce and cruel; at the slightest disagreement, they flip tables, kick chairs, draw knives to hack and slash, and commit acts of murder. We control these teenagers to achieve our goal of killing. Anyone who loves playing violent online games or possesses a crooked character is a target we love to control. Hahaha... be careful! The murderous demon is right beside you, ready to strike at any time."

A Life of Privilege and Kindness

"I was born with a silver spoon in my mouth. My grandfather and my entire family protected and cherished me so much that they were afraid even a mosquito might harm me. I was the most precious grandson in their hearts. I was born only because my mother prayed to the Buddhas and deities for six years before she was finally blessed with me. Although I was born into wealth, my parents did not spoil me. They taught me well from a young age. Because I was naturally kind-hearted, I treated our servants with great compassion. I was filial to my grandparents and knew how to make them laugh; they treasured me like a priceless jewel. My mother taught me to be even more loving and compassionate toward the poor. Whenever I saw someone in need, I would take whatever silver I had to help them. As for the children of my age, I had endless clothes, and my mother would always take them out to give to the impoverished children to wear."

The Brother Who Became a Shadow

"One evening before dinner, my father brought home a boy about six or seven years old, roughly my age. Father said that the boy's parents had just passed away and he was left with no one to rely on, so he brought him home to study with me in our private school. My parents treated him like their own son, regarding him as a member of our family. We studied together, played together, and grew up together. My parents' trust in him led them to make him the steward of our household. He managed all the affairs of the house with great skill and knew everything about our family. To ensure the continuation of our lineage, my parents searched everywhere for a suitable match. Soon, they found me a virtuous and beautiful bride, and we were quickly wed. My wife was gentle and sensible, and my parents could not stop praising her. We were a loving and sweet couple, a perfect match that made many people envious! I would often speak to my brother about how gentle, virtuous, and considerate my wife was. I could go on and on without end. I even said, 'Brother, please ask Mother to help you find a bride to take care of you as well.' At that time, my brother replied coldly, 'No, I do not intend to marry in this lifetime.' I was stunned for a moment. Perhaps I had been too focused on my new wife and had neglected him, making him unhappy? I decided I would show him more care next time."

The Betrayal and the Birth of a Demon

"When I married, my father hoped I would inherit the family business. He kept me by his side to learn, and I learned quickly. I managed our family's dyeing business with great success, and I was grateful for my brother's assistance throughout. Everything in our family and business was perfect. My wife and I even had a son. I was satisfied and grateful, thinking I was the happiest person in the world. But I never expected that my brother, whom I treated like a blood sibling, would say to me, 'A wealthy merchant wants to order a batch of high-end silk, and you need to deliver it personally for him to inspect.' My brother accompanied me. Halfway there, he said, 'Are you tired? Let's rest for a while and have some water before we continue.' After drinking the water, I felt dizzy and fell unconscious. When I woke up, my hands and feet were bound. I opened my eyes and thought, 'Where am I? Why am I here?' From afar, I heard a cold laugh—a sound so familiar. It was my brother! I was so happy, 'Brother, please, save me!' My brother stood before me, laughing wildly. He said to me, 'This world is so unfair! I have worked like a beast of burden in your house, and all I got was the position of a steward. My parents left the family business to you, and you married a beautiful wife. Everything best was left to you. Even though I am called your brother, I received nothing. Is that fair? Is it fair?' He roared at me, then laughed loudly again, 'As long as you die, everything in this house will be mine, including your beloved wife.' With that, he drew his blade and hacked at me, one strike after another, with ruthless intent to kill. I wailed in agony, blood pouring out, lying in a pool of my own blood. How could there be such an ungrateful person in this world? It was a waste of my father's kindness to take him in, treat him like his own child, educate him, and raise him. He was utterly devoid of conscience! For the sake of property and my beautiful wife, he actually killed me! Heavens! Can one really not be a good person in this world? To receive such an end... I hated him to death! I wanted revenge! I would not let him go! This hatred filled the entire space."

Deliverance and Repentance

"I breathed my last, and I was sucked away by an invisible force. I was brought to another space. I was beside the Demon King, and he told me, 'If you want revenge, I can teach you.' My hatred quickly turned me into a great demon. I controlled many people with crooked hearts and children who loved playing virtual online murder games, causing them to commit sins without even realizing it. Hahaha... this is what is created by the crooked hearts of humanity; you cannot blame me. That I became a murderous demon is also their fault."

"This time, I also participated in the spreading of the plague. Many demon kings went to investigate why Zhou Chuanfu never returned, and I also came to check. I was subdued by this power I had never encountered before—a power that subdued my hatred. I was subdued by Practitioner Su and sent to the Dharma-Nature Land. After listening to the Dharma, I understood that every event has a cause. I saw my past and realized that I, too, had harmed my brother in the same way. Seeing this, I felt the heart of repentance. The cause I planted resulted in this fruit; I cannot blame anyone else. I should repent for the negative karma I created in the past with a heart of repentance. Based on the greater sins I committed after becoming a demon, I am here to repent, listen to the Dharma, and change my ways. I am grateful to Namo Amituofo and grateful to Practitioner Su for giving me the opportunity to change."

"Namo Amituofo."