These teachings were recorded by Venerable HaiZe on February 17, 2023. offers this guidance to all practitioners who seek to walk the path of light.
The Ubiquity of the Demonic Mind
You may ask, where does the demon reside? In truth, the demon is not confined to a single location; it is omnipresent. The demon exists within the hidden corners of your own heart, yet it also manifests in the external world around you. It dwells within this realm and in distant lands; it permeates the vast emptiness of space and the furthest reaches of the universe. Whether amidst the distant stars or within the very structure of our own Milky Way, the influence of the demonic mind is pervasive, waiting for the moment when our vigilance falters.
The Radiance of the Buddha-heart
How, then, does the Buddha-heart manifest? The Buddha-heart is entirely selfless, possessing no trace of the ego. It is defined by its devotion to all beings, radiating the following qualities: , Wisdom, inclusivity, and vast mind-capacity. It embodies sincerity, purity, equality, and Right .
The Buddha-heart remains in a state of meditative concentration, unmoved by external circumstances. It does not engage in the petty discriminations that cloud the mind. It is awake rather than lost, righteous rather than deviant, and pure rather than stained. It has completely severed the roots of Greed, Anger, Ignorance, Arrogance, and Doubt, and it is no longer enslaved by the desires for wealth, lust, fame, food, and sleep.
The Nature of the Demonic Mind
In stark contrast, how does the demonic mind operate? It is driven by a powerful, stubborn ego, personal selfishness, and deeply ingrained habits. It seeks to destroy and cause harm to other beings. The demonic mind clings tightly to delusion, discrimination, and attachment, refusing to let go of the very things that cause suffering. It is lost rather than awake, deviant rather than righteous, and stained rather than pure. In every action—whether walking, standing, sitting, or lying down—the demonic mind is preoccupied with Greed, Anger, Ignorance, Arrogance, and Doubt, and it remains perpetually tethered to the desires for wealth, lust, fame, food, and sleep.
The Conflict in Practice
When it comes to your spiritual practice, the Buddha-heart holds only one wish: that you, the practitioner, may realise your true nature and attain Buddhahood. Wherever the name of Namo Amituofo is chanted with sincerity, that place becomes a sanctuary protected by the Buddha. The Buddha’s only desire is that all beings may leave suffering behind, remove defilements and attain purity, and through the power of chanting, achieve rebirth in the of Ultimate Bliss.
However, the demonic mind works in opposition to this. It seeks to disturb and obstruct your practice, making it difficult for the True Teachings to take root in your heart. It creates barriers to your Awakening and your journey toward Buddhahood. It encourages the breaking of , the neglect of temple rules, the stirring of desires for the opposite sex, and the indulgence of a strong, selfish ego. It is often said that the gates of the hells are crowded with those who once claimed to be practitioners, yet failed because they could not sever their Greed, Anger, Ignorance, Arrogance, and Doubt, nor could they let go of their attachment to wealth, lust, fame, food, and sleep.
The Triumph of the Buddha-heart
When the Buddha-heart shines forth with brilliance, when the Buddha-vows are manifested directly in your life, and when your Buddha-actions are performed without fear, you become unshakeable. When you reach a state where you cannot be disturbed or swayed by external interference, that is the very moment the demonic mind is filled with fear. The light of your practice is the demon's greatest challenge. Therefore, hold fast to your faith, keep your mind pure, and continue to chant Namo Amituofo all the way to the end.
