The Honest Nature of a Primordial Demon

This is a record of an interview with Mo Diwang, a primordial demon who sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Dharma-Nature Land. This account reflects upon his existence spanning thirty trillion years. Recorded by the chief writer, Venerable Fa Hui, on April 28, 2025.

Mo Diwang speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. My name is Mo Diwang. I am an ancient demon with a history of thirty trillion years, originating from a planet within the vast Dharma Realm. You can tell by my name that it is quite common, as our home planet was a place of simplicity, humility, and honesty. In a favourable environment, beings like us can live for a very long time. However, if surrounded by the Demon Realm, we become highly vulnerable. We are easily bullied because we lack cunning. How could we possibly defend ourselves against the demon crowds? They are sharp-witted and full of deceit. Once they infiltrate our space, they only need to whisper a few sweet words, and we are easily deceived. We have no defensive walls around our hearts; we treat everyone with sincerity and straightforwardness.

The Rarity of a Pure Spirit

Such beings are exceptionally rare in an environment surrounded by demon crowds. Our simple, kind-hearted planet was almost the last of its kind. In the distant past, many planets, including the one that became the Demon Planet, were originally kind. But one by one, they were conquered by demon crowds and turned into worlds of darkness. Why have we survived until now? It is said that our ancestors were incredibly capable, guarding us from the sky and preventing the demon crowds from invading. Even when they did manage to enter, they found it difficult to harm us, which is why we have been able to endure.

You might wonder why I, a demon of thirty trillion years, claim to come from such a place. It is because I was an anomaly. My personality was extremely strong, and I demanded that everyone listen to me. If they did not, I would resort to violence, leaving everyone in a state of unrest. Over time, I was exiled, forced to leave that kind planet and enter the surrounding Demon Realm. Once there, because I still carried the foundation of my kind-hearted origin, I became the one who was bullied.

The Law of Cause and Effect

Back on my home planet, I was the one doing the bullying. Now, in the Demon Realm, I became the victim. This confirms the truth of the laws of karma and cause and effect. I could not return to my past home—not because I lacked the ability, but because they could not reform or teach me, and I had no desire to change for the better. Therefore, I could only live in the present.

How did my honest nature become as quick-witted and self-protective as theirs? The answer is that it is much faster to become bad. That is the conclusion I reached. Becoming good is not easy; becoming bad only requires selfishness, self-preservation, and the ability to outmanoeuvre others. I possessed this aggressive streak, and once it was triggered, it was easy to adapt to the environment. Consequently, I slowly turned the tables, evolving from a victim into someone who could bully other demon crowds.

Survival in the Demon Realm

When I was young, it did not matter much, but as I grew older, I had to exercise restraint. There are always older, stronger demons who might take a dislike to you and retaliate, leaving you with no chance of recovery. Why suffer such a fate? Under the tutelage of these two environments, I learned to observe and find my own way to survive. I learned to avoid losses, injuries, and exile. Step by step, I rose from a little demon to a Demon King, and eventually to an ancient demon, reaching the thirty trillion years I have today.

Diwang was my name on that simple planet. When I arrived in the Demon Realm, I added the word 'Mo' (demon), becoming 'Mo Diwang'. This name actually helped me quite a bit. Many senior figures in the Demon Realm found it grounded and easy to remember. It was a blessing in disguise.

In front of the big bosses, I learned to act humble, making them feel even greater. But in front of my juniors, I had to be strong so they would respect me. This is how I survived in the Demon Realm. Why was I not consumed by karmic retribution? Between these two extremes, I found a path of survival. I decided not to harm the honest and simple-minded demons, as I once was one of them. I discovered that there are quite a few such demon juniors. This is the horror of the environment: if you teach them to be good, they become good; if you teach them to be bad, they become bad. These juniors all have strong personalities; if you are not stronger than them, they will not be convinced or listen to you.

The Path to Buddhahood

This is a prominent feature of the Demon Realm, but it is also a fatal flaw. If one wishes to become a Buddha, one must change one's personality until not a trace remains. Without putting in the effort, such an achievement is impossible. If others heard a demon, an ancient demon like me, saying he wanted to become a Buddha, they would laugh their heads off. But why? The Buddha tells us that we all have Buddha-nature, which means we can all become Buddhas. Why would that be a laughing matter?

I am now living in a law-abiding manner in the Western Dharma-Nature Land. I do what I can, and I absolutely do not touch what I cannot. In these thirty trillion years, I have done too many things, and every single one is accounted for by the laws of karma; nothing is ever lost. It seems my evil deeds outweigh my good ones, and that is true. This is the worry in the hearts of many demon bosses: 'How can we repay this? We cannot repay it.' It was only when I arrived at the Western Dharma-Nature Land that I realised it was impossible to repay on my own. Is it too late? As long as there is a beginning, it is never too late. So, I carry a heart of repentance, using a simple, pure heart to face the beings of the spirit realms and the human world around me.

A Journey to the Past

I entered a deep meditative state about ten trillion years ago, when I was roughly twenty trillion years old. Before entering this state, I thought I would travel around the Dharma Realm to see what it was like before retiring into meditation. It was like a retirement plan for my life, a way to enrich my existence. If I were to wither away because of this, it would not matter; I would just carry those memories with me.

I held that mindset, and coincidentally, I saw Earth. Although it was far away, perhaps due to karmic affinity, I saw a very simple place on Earth that resembled my old planet, so I went to visit. However, it did not seem to be called Earth at that time; the planet had likely shifted positions, and another planet occupied Earth's current location. It must have been a very good location, as planets there could gain new life. Let us just call it 'Pre-Earth'. It was a beautiful planet that once possessed such a simple and honest place.

I lived there for a while, showing my honest side. Haha, but a demon is a demon, no matter what; people were still terrified when they saw me. Later, I expressed my sincerity and lived there for a period. Eventually, my demon disciples from my home planet found me and called me back to live in the darkness.

The Invisible Infiltration

Now I have come to Earth, and it has completely changed. It is not the same as it was before. It seems more polluted than ever, and the air in Earth's space is filled with an aggressive energy—a demonic energy. People are still living within it. The hidden danger of this demonic energy is that it starts off faint and imperceptible. By the time people notice it, they are already unable to escape. This is the technique of the demon crowds.

If they were to enter the human world in a massive wave, they would be discovered quickly, and people would protect themselves and resist. But if they infiltrate human bodies bit by bit, it is often hard to detect. Because everyone is slowly being infiltrated, accepting this environment and change, when everyone is polluted, you are also polluted, and you mistakenly think you are just like everyone else. In fact, you have already fallen into a dangerous situation.

This shows the foresight of Practitioner Su! Knowing the current situation of Earth's people, she has subdued so many demon crowds from the Dharma Realm—and not just from the Dharma Realm, but from many other spaces as well. She hopes that people will no longer be controlled by demon crowds and can return to their kind, pure, and honest nature. I can understand Practitioner Su's heart because I have also come from the darkness into this bright world. I have experienced all of this, so I know the value of the light.

The Power of Deliverance

However, once you fall under the control of demon crowds, it is not easy to pull yourself out, unless there is a powerful force like Namo Amituofo or Practitioner Su—someone with true attainment and the ability to subdue the demons within people. If you cannot subdue the demons within a human, how can you save them? You cannot.

The reason human personalities are hard to change is actually because the demons' personalities are hard to change. The demons are within, and their personalities influence the human personality; this is called karma. I can read human language, so I treat them as karmic creditors. In the Western Dharma-Nature Land, we often hear the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre inviting spirits. Inviting spirits means that beings who have had karmic grievances with you are willing to resolve them and come to the Western Dharma-Nature Land.

The Western Dharma-Nature Land is truly magnificent. This is the mind-capacity of the Buddha, which can encompass so many different beings—different personalities, habits, and origins—yet all can live a good, happy, worry-free, and bright life there. Because of the energy of the Buddha-light, everyone's spiritual needs are met. In such a stable environment, we can enrich our spirituality and improve our quality. The Buddha is so compassionate; we did not pay a single cent or exert any physical effort, yet we received such abundant resources out of thin air.

A Heart of Gratitude

In the past, I did not know how to be grateful because I thought everything was a matter of course. But ever since I was illuminated by the Buddha-light, I have been cared for by the Buddha for no reason, without paying any price. I had never encountered such a situation before, so I could deeply feel what it means to be grateful. Naturally, it arises from the heart; no one needs to teach it. This must be a natural disposition. Once a heart of gratitude arises, much of your aggression and subjectivity naturally disappears. This is a truly interesting phenomenon. It never happened before, but it is happening now. Because I will continue to stay in the Western Dharma-Nature Land and will not leave, at least karmic retribution will not find me there. This alone has saved many demons.

Perhaps my fellow beings might ask: 'They have done so many evil things; they should be punished. Karmic retribution is a natural law. Do they not need to be punished? Is it not biased to receive such a good opportunity to enter a place of light for nothing?' At first glance, it seems so, but the Buddha has no 'self'. They deliver sentient beings according to conditions and opportunities; they do not choose which places to save and which not to. Even those who hold such thoughts might be objects of deliverance; it is just that the conditions have not yet matured. Perhaps our conditions have matured, so we have the opportunity to be saved. But the karma does not disappear; every bit of it is stored in our Alaya consciousness.

The Danger of Human Life

Practitioner Su has also mentioned: do not try to be human. If you become human, once your personality flares up, all the beings you have harmed in the past will manifest. That is a truly terrifying thing. The demon crowds know this; they know that karmic retribution is terrifying and that they will be dragged away by it. So, what cannot be done should not be done. Do not try it lightly, or you will be asking for trouble. Now, I also accept teaching and guidance. In the past, there was no one to teach us these things. I am just speaking for myself, but the reality is the same for all.

When can one meet the Buddha, and when can one meet Practitioner Su? We can only benefit if we can listen to their words. If we cannot listen, we cannot benefit. This means that in the past, we must have formed a connection with Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su, which is why we were so smoothly saved and why we are so obedient in the Land of Dharma Nature, acting like 'practicing demons'. Being a demon is my past identity and role; now, I am an ordinary being.

Retirement and Reflection

Finally, before retiring, I came to Earth to take a look, and then I returned to my own planet. I felt content, as if returning to my hometown. Before people pass away, they always look back at the past. Why did this happen to me, a demon? I do not know myself; it just felt natural to do so. After returning to our planet, I will find a place to enter deep meditation quietly. This is the wish of the old demons. What happens after entering meditation is unpredictable; perhaps I will disappear from the Demon Realm forever, and I do not know where I will go in my next life. The result now is something you could never have imagined.

What is more visible is the situation during meditation—being called up and coming out of meditation. What happens after coming out is unknown. Perhaps only those with the ability to foresee the future can see it, but such things are not accurate for those who have realised their true nature, nor for those who can transform their destiny. However, the originally predicted destiny exists in the Alaya consciousness, in some area of the brain; in any case, it can be seen. What we can see, we see; what we cannot see, the physical eyes still cannot see. The spirit realm does have some advantages, but spirits cannot have a body, and thus cannot use the 'false' to cultivate the 'true' and become a Buddha.

A Warning to My Juniors

At this moment, I see my juniors, including Demon Kings and great demons. In such a magnificent place, it is much easier for you to enter than it was for me; you are very blessed.

Having this body requires nutrition to nourish it so it can continue to survive. This is the troublesome part of the human world—you have to eat. Spirits do not need to. Spirits originally rely on the energy of human bodies, absorbing this energy to stay alive. Therefore, in the end, many people who are controlled and drained by demon crowds become increasingly withered, thin, and breathless, until they finally lie on their beds and kick the bucket! This is the fate of many who are controlled by demons.

I am saying this to give everyone a warning. If you do not want such an end, then you must act quickly. What method can keep old demons or other demon children and grandchildren away from people, especially practitioners and the fourfold assembly of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre? Do not go near them. Because demons with negative energy will affect positive energy. But if this person has deep enough attainment, they can withstand the initial attacks of any demon and immediately ask the Buddha for help to take the demon away. I see my own demon children and grandchildren; they are on Earth. And the vastness of the Dharma Realm is filled with them. Although some have not manifested, I can smell their scent. This is my honest nature, contrasted with the demon nature of the Demon Realm.

The Path to Deliverance

Some say demon nature is cunning—meaning old, crafty, and sly—which is why they can live so long. Fine, there is no reason to refute that. Indeed, many demons are like that, but that is not me.

The so-called 'letting go' also requires some skill; it is not something one can just do because someone says so. If you truly meet a practitioner who can let go instantly, they will surely achieve success. This is boldness, and it is also a basic understanding of the Buddha’s teachings. This way, you can be saved. These basic understandings of the Buddha’s teachings can allow people to survive for a very long time.

But what should the demon crowds do during this time? I tell everyone: once you arrive at the Western Dharma-Nature Land, you can all be at ease. After hearing my words, those demon crowds who are currently casting spells, stop immediately. Practitioner Su is our benefactor, not an evil person or a troublemaker. So, you can also let go of everything, including your status and power. These are truly necessary. People cling to these things because they are insecure in their hearts and need to use status, power, or fame to elevate their roles so that people recognise them. This is also necessary, but how to pass these on—that is the point.

I have said that many of my demon children and grandchildren have appeared on this Earth. How coincidental, from the Dharma Realm to Earth is such a long distance; it turns out there are so many demon crowds seeking survival on other planets, and Earth is one of them. But for humans, this is not a good phenomenon. Because of the existence of demon crowds, they are called demons; their spirituality is in an extreme state.

The Nature of Demonhood

If we speak in terms of Buddha’s teachings, one must be pure and kind, without a trace of pollution, and then everyone can become a Buddha. This is not good; Earth people have demons on them, and they are very easy to control. People are easy to control when they have demons on them because human personalities are not as strong as demons'. Of course, the strong will pull the weak, and the human personality will manifest demon nature. This greatly increases the opportunity to commit evil. How does demon nature manifest? It often happens inadvertently, when you are not paying attention. But those with sharp eyes can see it.

The 'greed, anger, delusion, arrogance, and doubt' mentioned in the Buddha’s teachings are very high-level; many demon natures are contained within these five words. Strong greed is demon nature. You are never satisfied; you want to be worse when you are bad, and when you are good, you will not let others be good either—you will suppress them.

Anger, needless to say, is a feature of demons. You get angry if you cannot hear two sentences or if you do not like what you hear; you get angry if things do not go your way. Is this not because you think you are very 'big'? If you were very 'small', how would you dare to get angry? You would only have the role of listening.

But at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, I have discovered that with the Buddha before you, the Teacher before you, and Practitioner Su before you, how 'big' can you be? You cannot be big. This 'big' of yours is all demon nature. So, it is best to listen and obey. If not a trace of demon nature is manifested, then the natural Buddha-nature will manifest. This can happen in a place where there is a Buddha. In a place without a Buddha, no one manages you. How they guide you is their business. If you want to be a demon, they let you be a demon, and in the end, you are the one who gets hurt; no one will be hurt for you.

Gratitude to Practitioner Su

Speaking of this, I am extremely grateful. Practitioner Su truly suffered injuries from the demon crowds casting spells to attack her body, and then she invited the demon crowds who cast the spells to the Western Dharma-Nature Land. She really suffered because of the demon crowds. I do not think I can find a second person like this; it is truly the case. This is not just empty talk.

In this human world, how can you save yourselves? The facts are right before your eyes. Namo Amituofo at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju, and Practitioner Su—they have the ability to subdue demon crowds. They even have the ability to subdue an ancient demon of thirty trillion years. In fact, they have even subdued an ancient demon of fifty trillion years and brought it into the Dharma-Nature Land.

People coming to the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre is the way. The demons on you cannot hide for long here; it is like a mirror that reveals demons. Once the demon mirror shines, they all reveal their original forms. They have no choice but to bow down and obey. This is the way to be saved. This is my advice to the human world on Earth. The old demon has a conscience at this moment. How much truth is in what I say? You can believe this truth. And for those practitioners who want to find their own true nature, everyone should move in this direction. Can demons be subdued anywhere else? I think the chance is too slim; instead, you will be subdued by the demons.

Subduing demons is not an easy task; one must have true attainment. This attainment means having no greed, anger, delusion, arrogance, or doubt, and no attachment to wealth, lust, fame, food, or sleep. These are just the basic skills. When there is nothing in your heart, you cannot find a single weakness, not a single place to attack—this is the most brilliant state.

Such a person has appeared in the human world, named Practitioner Su. But not many people know her now. In the Demon Realm, many recognise her, and the same is true in the spirit realm. Now, to know Namo Amituofo is to know Practitioner Su.

If the Demon Realm wants to save itself, it must come here to save itself. You will not suffer by following the Buddha; the Buddha will not harm the demon crowds, but will only give them benefits—that is, leading them to become Buddhas. This is truly a magnificent thing. Now that we have encountered it, I will definitely stay in the Western Dharma-Nature Land. I will not want to go anywhere else; I will just chant Namo Amituofo well. Here, one can reach the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss and become a Buddha.

I will stop here today.

Namo Amituofo

Mo Diwang"