The Duality of Buddha and Demon
The Twenty-Third Letter of Venerable Master Sheng Yen
Reflections on Truth and the Nature of Practice
This message was recorded on July 8, 2017. Venerable Master Sheng Yen, who sought deliverance through the compassionate guidance of Practitioner Su at the Hsiang Kuang Buddhist Centre, now resides in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. In this twenty-third letter, he addresses the fundamental nature of the Buddha’s teachings and the dangers of discrimination.
Venerable Master Sheng Yen speaks:
"Namo Amituofo. I am Sheng Yen. Looking through the many letters exchanged, I have yet to see a truly authentic response. Everyone certainly has their own opinions and ideas. If the doubts and questions you harbour are directed toward the authenticity of the Buddha’s teachings, that is truly terrifying. It is your intense sense of discrimination that is at work, and you must discard it immediately. Otherwise, achieving success in this lifetime will be extremely difficult. If you cannot let go of these biases, you will find it nearly impossible to encounter the Truth, and you will struggle to genuinely believe in anything at all. Your level of faith will remain trapped within the confines of your own ego.
The Thin Line Between Buddha and Mara
The Buddha’s teachings and the nature of Mara are two sides of the same coin. If every person looks closely at themselves, they will find both the capacity for supreme Goodness and the potential for extreme evil. Whenever a single thought is not aligned with the Truth, that is the very moment of transformation. Therefore, every person can be a Buddha, and every person can be a demon. There is no need to question this; you are both a demon and a Buddha. However, the one undeniable Truth is this: whatever teaches people to be good, to be kind, and to be upright should be respected and upheld, not slandered or destroyed.
If your sense of discrimination is based solely on the person delivering the message, you are the one who will suffer a loss. The famous figures and eminent monks you admire may not have actually broken through to a higher state of realisation. You must rely on the , not on the person. Rely on the definitive, ultimate meaning, not on the incomplete or provisional teachings. Even a young child could be the one to speak the profound Truth. When the Buddha manifests in this world, He is not limited to appearing in any specific person. If you blindly push away the Truth that is right in front of your eyes, I hope you will take a few minutes to reflect deeply. Is what is being presented not authentic? Is it not the Truth?
Finding Clarity at Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre
As for how you define the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in your own heart, I can only say so much. How you adjust your perspective, how you choose to believe—or not believe—is a decision that rests entirely in your own hands. You must use the yardstick of Truth to measure things carefully. Ultimately, it all depends on your own unique Dharma affinity. I truly hope that everyone can realise their true nature. To the children of Dharma Drum Mountain, before you can realise your true nature, you must first recognise the Truth. The monastics who lead you must be absolutely clear about this principle. You must understand what the Truth actually is so that your practice can be clear, transparent, and purposeful."
This message was recorded by the chief writer, the Buddhist disciple Shi Faxi.
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About the Author
Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre
Contributed to Pure Land Buddhism knowledge library