The Illusion of Etiquette and the Demon's Confession

Mo A-ke, a primordial demon who has operated within the Dharma Realm for seven and a half billion-billion-trillion years, sought deliverance after his influence was dismantled. He currently resides in the Western Dharma-Nature Land. This interview was recorded by Venerable Shi Faru on March 23, 2026, at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia.

Mo A-ke speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Mo A-ke. I did not expect to have been in the Western Dharma-Nature Land for only a few days. I had assumed that accepting an interview would require waiting much longer. I had hoped to listen to more sutras before answering questions or sitting for an interview. It seems I must face my examination early. If my words are not precise enough, I ask for your kind indulgence. This has always been my habit—to speak conservatively, or perhaps more politely. This is my way of survival as Mo A-ke, and it is also one of the fundamental ways of surviving in China. Since ancient times, China has valued propriety; it is said that 'one can never be too polite.' China is known as the 'Land of Etiquette,' and there is naturally a reason for that. This so-called 'etiquette' is a way of conducting oneself and handling affairs, allowing one to manage various matters, large and small, in the most harmonious and peaceful manner possible.

The Strategy of the Demon Realm

Operating in the Demon Realm is much the same. To manage a vast territory in the Demon Realm, one must show basic respect to various demon crowds, and even to beings and forces outside the Demon Realm. This is a unique etiquette belonging to the Demon Realm. If this etiquette is used well, it is what people call 'winning hearts.' Everyone will think such a person is polite, approachable, knows the rules, and is easy to get along with. However, whether this politeness is truly pure and kind—whether it is selfless and genuinely considers the other party—is another matter entirely. I have roamed the universe and the Dharma Realm for a long time, and I have never seen etiquette that is truly polite and genuinely considers the other party. Most etiquette follows a few patterns: one is to reduce conflict and let things proceed smoothly, which is the etiquette practiced to 'keep the peace.' Another is to cater to the other party's preferences, trying to win them over so they join you, or to make them respect you, thinking you are a person who knows the rules and is polite. Yet another is to establish rules, creating a set of regulations that everyone must follow to facilitate one's own operations. Whether these various forms of etiquette are truly for the benefit of the masses is debatable.

The degree to which the Chinese have valued etiquette since ancient times can be described as deep-rooted and long-standing. Looking back at the most recent civilizations, around the Zhou Dynasty, there was the well-known 'Book of Rites,' which used clear systems of family, state, and ritual music to give people a path to follow. However, even before that, and in even earlier Chinese civilizations, there were already many systems and laws, and among them, the concept of 'etiquette' was never lacking. Therefore, 'etiquette' exists very deeply within Chinese culture.

Controlling Through the Facade of Propriety

This is why it was an easy entry point for me to control the Chinese people. It is not just that I control China this way; long ago, during the process of expanding my territory across the universes of the Ten Directions, I already knew how to apply this principle. It can be said that it is a rule that applies to the entire universe and Dharma Realm! Why did I come to Earth to control the people of China? Because the Chinese generally possess this characteristic of 'etiquette,' but it is not entirely the kind of etiquette that is truly pure and kind. The Chinese generally like etiquette that flows on the surface; in reality, it is a type of etiquette created for personal gain. This kind of etiquette is a superficial form, a symbol that reflects one's own 'face' and internal interests. This is the Chinese 'etiquette.' This coincides perfectly with the magic and demon laws I have promoted while roaming the Dharma Realm for over a billion-billion-trillion years. I am speaking quite bluntly; I hope the people of China will not be too shocked.

I have traveled to all parts of the Ten Directions, and it is indeed difficult to find an environment like China that possesses the characteristics of 'empty etiquette and false propriety.' I have never seen an environment and people who pay such attention to 'etiquette' while it is not 'true etiquette.' Even in any other country on Earth, they have not reached this level. These places either do not value 'etiquette' as much, or they are relatively simple and do not have so many cumbersome formalities, or they completely disregard 'etiquette' and simply advocate for individual personality and personal interests. These are not exactly the same as the 'demon laws' I, Mo A-ke, promote. But in China, this so-called superficial etiquette, which looks elegant, solemn, and very cultured, is a very important reason why I came to China.

The Selfishness Behind the Rites

Since ancient times, various countries on the Divine Land have promoted laws and rites. Although there have been existences like Confucius, who are called 'sages' and who truly considered others and the people of the country, most of the power-holders or emperors, when promoting rites and laws, were not genuinely trying to bring welfare to the people and the country. Most rulers still harboured a great deal of selfishness, whether it was to make the country easier to control, to suppress dissenting voices, or to make enemies and neighboring states submit to them. No matter the method, the core was never simple; it was not pure or kind enough.

The reputation of being the 'Land of Etiquette' is a testament to the focus of successive rulers who have painstakingly managed their image. Think about it: would a ruler or a country that truly considers others care about the fame and praise brought by these cumbersome formalities? In the five thousand years of China's modern development, the emphasis on 'etiquette' and the development of laws can be said to have become a core part of the culture. As for modern development, although traditional culture is slowly being disregarded, the essence of this 'etiquette' has not truly disappeared; it has transformed into a subjective cognition and judgment that everyone has regarding their own image and the value of various things. This still makes it very easy for us demon crowds to control, and compared to ancient times, the heart-mind that truly considers others is even more different.

The Ease of Demon Control

Now, this kind of etiquette, purely for the sake of one's own face and appearance, makes it even easier for us demon crowds to control. I, Mo A-ke, along with my vast number of demon children and grandchildren, began stationed in this region over ten thousand years ago. Although there was no civilization as prosperous as today, and people generally lived relatively simple lives, this region had an inherent karma. Even in that period, although it was a traditional and simple life, one could already see the concept embodied by this 'hypocritical etiquette.' For example, some people in ancient times had sensitivity and abilities superior to others, which naturally attracted a large number of followers, supporting them to become the rulers of the time. In the process of this support and following, there were some rituals and respect from the people. These seemingly heartfelt rituals and forms of respect were, in essence, still based on 'self-profit.' They hoped to rely on the power-holders or capable people, respecting those in power and observing etiquette to increase their own chances of survival.

This behavioral pattern formed what is called 'etiquette,' and it was passed down as a process of rationalizing and standardizing behavior, naturally followed by later generations. However, this 'etiquette' is not like the Buddha's teachings, genuinely and sincerely considering the masses; it is a superficial form, and its true essence remains 'self-interest.' To be more blunt, at that time, even if someone had some technical differences, they would receive the respect of the masses. Differences in technology, economy, power, and other levels formed various class systems, seniority systems, and so on. By packaging these into so-called 'etiquette,' it became the key and method for everyone to follow together.

The Deviation of Thought

We control the people of every era, and we are very clear about their requirements for their own image, and we also know the benefits they truly want to obtain deep in their hearts. Combining these two, we successfully handed over a set of patterns they should have for survival in this environment. Going back and forth, it doesn't sound like a very serious matter. However, little do they know, there is actually a lot of deviation in thought in the middle. Behind many cumbersome formalities, it hides people constantly rationalizing their own behavior. Many things that were originally harmful to heaven and reason, violated universal principles, and extinguished human nature—we all know how to use this so-called etiquette and packaging to make ourselves look like we are still maintaining the image we want.

This is what is called 'bright and beautiful on the outside, but rotten on the inside.' These so-called 'great philanthropists' have indeed been everywhere in China since ancient times. But what is 'true goodness' really? In fact, no one has known for a long time. Otherwise, you could ask various great entrepreneurs and philanthropists in China if they can all state their own philosophy of life and methods of doing good in the world. However, just observe their inner depths carefully, and why their bodies are occupied by demon crowds, densely packed and full? Why are the beings inside their bodies occupying their whole bodies, locking up their true spirits, and even kicking them out of their bodies? If they were truly doing good in the world, saving the world and the people, and thinking about the welfare of society and the country, how could they get sick, get seriously ill? And need to take medicine for a long time?

Aren't these quite contradictory? The fundamental reason is that the Chinese people can no longer distinguish their own selfish, evil thoughts from true kindness and the pure, kind heart of helping others. Not to mention now, even the ancient Chinese, after Confucius and Mencius, not many people could distinguish it clearly. To be more blunt, even among those in the Buddha's gate, those who can distinguish it clearly, in my eyes, are only the ancestral masters. Even the disciples under them may not be able to understand this principle clearly. The fundamental reason is: maintaining a superficial image is much easier than maintaining a true heart of kindness; rationalizing an explanation for an action is much easier than truly generating a heart of kindness without needing any explanation. This is a principle that many people do not understand.

The Demon's 'Hospitality'

Although the Chinese know they should observe etiquette, observe universal principles, and know they should observe morality, they do not know that they should truly observe core morality, not superficial image and reputation. It is not a goal to be inspected by others; seeing certain behaviors or discovering such phenomena does not mean one has morality; nor is it called morality to inspect others' problems. These are already far from the true universal principles and the true Dharma. I, 'Mo A-ke,' chose the character 'Ke' (guest) because it is relatively subtle, letting everyone understand the falsity of this 'great etiquette' and 'hospitality' in human relations; my character 'A' represents a meaning of 'the inside and outside being opposite.' This is also one of my innate personalities. I always use this facade of 'being kind to others,' appearing kind and amiable, but I am always calculating how to obtain benefits from the other party; this is my method of 'treating others with etiquette while stabbing them in the back.'

Hearing this, perhaps many people are already feeling a sense of resonance. Or perhaps it is not that they are feeling resonance, but that they are already members of my demon children and grandchildren. This is very common in China; everyone is actually trying to survive, but they don't know they shouldn't be like this. At first, when I was surviving in the Demon Realm, I also didn't know I shouldn't be like this. This set of methods is too effective! And my Demon Realm sphere of influence expanded so rapidly, and has such a large scale today, because this method is very effective, and I was able to manage it to this point with this development method. Indeed, with a demon spirit like mine, I should have retired long ago, lived in seclusion in a high position, or found a place to enter samadhi. However, this management method is too effective; it's a pity to suddenly stop. After all, anyone who has used this method, anyone who possesses the 'demon nature' of my 'demon children and grandchildren,' will feel a joy in their hearts! This passive method of success is indeed hard to resist. After all, in this process, there is no obvious conflict, and there is no need to spend too much effort. On the surface, one is peaceful and harmonious with everyone, and one can sit and enjoy a high-class elegance.

The Emperor's Facade

With such an elegant posture, secretly doing improper things, plotting one's own interests, and having a very upright and open image—who wouldn't love this method of 'wanting both the inside and the outside'? The most common ones were the emperors of various dynasties in China. They were clearly doing unclean and improper things, but they always had to hang various beautiful names, and they also had to arrange talents who were good at this aspect by their side—the eunuchs and sycophants in the court. These people could praise their messy dealings as the great path of heaven and earth, done for the country and the people, and the heavenly fortune of the favored children of heaven. We demon crowds also felt it was very funny; it can be said that they exerted the methods we taught to the fullest. And the most ridiculous thing is the depth of Chinese culture and the richness of its literary expressions. When praising and using them, one can say they are more rich and magnificent than the other. And it's not just the emperors. As the saying goes, 'what the superior does, the inferior will follow.' The emperors took the lead, the ministers in the court were the same, and then down to the local officials and commoners—who wasn't a master of words? Everyone was a famous teacher who understood reason and law! But how many people since ancient times have truly practiced it and become a model for everyone? You can count them on your fingers. This is what makes China so interesting.

A Change of Heart

Oh my, I really wanted to listen to the sutras for a few more days before answering these questions; I was afraid I would speak too bluntly. If I could have been nurtured by more Buddha-Dharma, and gained more compassion and the nourishment of the Buddha's kindness, perhaps what I said wouldn't be so hurtful or hard to swallow. But now that I have been arranged, I will tell the truth and reveal everything. I hope those who have the affinity to see this will not be too shocked. If it can wake you up, that is also quite good. But honestly, listening to the sutras in the Western Dharma-Nature Land for these past few days has indeed confirmed the part of my heart that I have regretted the most for a long time. After all, deep down, I really hoped that I could be like my superficial image, respected by truly helping others, rather than through this false method. However, I now know that this mindset is the reason why I could never truly succeed. As long as there is any selfishness or planning for oneself, it won't work.

The vastness of the Buddha-Dharma—if one doesn't truly listen to the sutras, one cannot manifest these various meanings. If one hasn't experienced roaming in certain environments and seen through countless human hearts, one truly cannot understand the gap between hypocrisy and reality, nor can one understand the preciousness of what is called 'sincerity.' This preciousness is truly, truly very precious; I cannot describe it in words. But the reason I am so touched and moved in my heart is that I can truly see someone who can help people with such sincerity. This is truly rare to see in a hundred or a thousand years, not to mention rare to see in a billion-billion-trillion years.

The Destruction of Demon Palaces

Since we are talking about the Buddha and the demon palace, let's talk about the demon palace. Ha, I will say whatever anyone wants to hear; this is my style as Mo A-ke. The matter of the demon palace is actually very simple: wherever a demon palace needs to be built, we build it. As for the specific location, actually, it's all over China. It's not that a province or a region must have a certain number of demon palaces; it's actually wherever the demand is high, we build it there. Basically, my method of building demon palaces is based on simplicity and convenience, because every place needs them. In China, where doesn't one need to care about face? Where doesn't one need internal interests? Where doesn't one need to plot for personal gain? Everyone needs it! So my strategy is: wherever it's needed, build it there; as long as it's needed, build it, there are no restrictions.

For example: from the principal and director of a school to the teachers, and even the students, everyone needs it, so we build it; whether a school needs one, two, or one for every classroom, it's all fine, decided according to demand. Where there is a lot to control, we build more; where there is little to control, we build less. In remote mountainous areas, because there are few people and not many places will use these cumbersome formalities or superficial culture, we build less. When meeting during festivals, there is always a need for more etiquette, more hypocrisy, and even more comparison; at that time, we build more temporary demon palaces, and when the festival time passes, we move the demon palaces to other places. This is our very common practice. So you ask, how many demon palaces did Practitioner Su destroy in China this time? Thousands, tens of thousands—it depends on how much demand there is at the moment. And the size and scale of the demon palaces vary, so counting by quantity is actually not very accurate.

However, what is worth mentioning is that whether it is the large and small demon palaces on the outside or the demon palaces inside the human body, they have all been destroyed by Practitioner Su. And our demon children and grandchildren have all been brought into the Western Dharma-Nature Land. But my demon palaces are not just these; there are many, many more, and I can still see many operating now. I hope those demon children and grandchildren will come to surrender. After all, I, the old man, have been doing this 'face and internal interest' business for 7.5 billion-billion-trillion years. How should I put it? 'It's not worth it,' really, these three words: 'It's not worth it.' How is it not worth it? You tell me, where is it worth it?

A Call to Surrender

For the sake of face and internal interests, thinking about it afterwards, it's quite empty, and I don't know what it was for. But at the time, I just felt it was good for survival; but thinking about it again, if there is a better place to survive, where you don't need these things, then you say, is all this still worth it? It's not worth it. Demon children and grandchildren in the demon palaces, you are working every day for this false facade, just like many people, struggling to live for three meals and these worthless things. However, you have also seen that the people you control eventually grow old and die, and what is your final outcome? Nothing at all. You inhale breath by breath, isn't it just to live one more day of demon life? But even if you live for a billion-billion-trillion years, what is it for? There is nothing, I don't know what I am doing.

If you can truly help people, if you can sincerely observe universal principles and morality, and truly treat others with sincerity, then you can become a Buddha! You can go to the Buddha's land and never have to worry about energy again. This kind of 'once and for all' method, isn't it more ultimate? This back and forth, real and fake, empty and solid—it's very obvious. So these demon children and grandchildren, those of you who are drifting there, at a loss, or some who want to attack, or still want to add new demon palaces—it's all meaningless, completely not worth it. Isn't this very empty? What are these falsehoods for? What is the painstaking planning for? These rites, these fakes—are they useful? They are useless. It's better to come to the Western Dharma-Nature Land; there is no lack of energy here, and you can join the salvation team. You can consider it.

Gratitude and Redemption

I really didn't expect that after coming to the Western Dharma-Nature Land, I could still speak so many sincere words. The old me—how could I have spoken these words that truly help people? This is impossible, and inconceivable. I think this Western Dharma-Nature Land is also particularly amazing; in just two days, it could make me undergo such a transformation. I am an old demon of 7.5 billion-billion-trillion years; how could I change so much in these two days? Then the days before were just wasted? It was indeed wasted, so you know how worthless it was. This must also be the majestic power of Practitioner Su, and the blessing of Namo Amituofo's majestic power, to have such an effect. Actually, long before I entered the Western Dharma-Nature Land, I already knew about the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. I also often listened to the interview transcripts of Practitioner Su from the temple, always calling out to us demon crowds. I always thought at the time: 'Oh, after these demon crowds enter the Western Dharma-Nature Land, the transformation is so great and so magical; how can it be so fast? It shouldn't be like this.'

I didn't expect that after entering personally, it was confirmed that the facts are indeed so. After entering, my heart felt very calm for some reason, and mainly there was a heart of repentance in the calm. This heart of repentance comes from being able to clearly see the impropriety of my original actions. And this impropriety lies in the fact that I finally understand how I harmed humanity and how I caused irreparable harm to many sentient beings. It was under the premise of being very clear and understanding these harms that I gave birth to a true heart of repentance. And the reason I am willing to say such true words and am willing to advise my own demon children and grandchildren is because I truly understand that what I did was indeed wrong. This right and wrong, this truth and falsehood, actually lies in whether I harmed people, whether I harmed sentient beings—these are indeed my faults.

I am very sorry; the current me is also powerless to save anything. The only thing I can do is to stop harming more people; this is what I can do now. As for the rest, let me listen to more sutras. I believe I can find more ways to remedy it from them. I am quite positive and optimistic; I believe I can find a way to make up for it. I also believe that since this Buddha-name was able to bring me to the Western Dharma-Nature Land, it will surely be able to help me make up for my past mistakes. I am so deeply convinced; let me continue to work hard. Facing Practitioner Su, I am very grateful.

Having roamed the Demon Realm for a long time and managed in China for a long time, I actually also know that China has a deep connection with Practitioner Su, and I also know that Practitioner Su has been performing Chao Du for China for a long time. And our general policy was to 'mind our own business.' However, China was vigorously saved by Practitioner Su this time, and many demon palaces have been completely destroyed. I have many demon palaces, and I really don't care about them being destroyed, but I never thought that my deep-level demon palaces would also be caught and dragged out by Practitioner Su, which shocked me very much. At first, I was a little displeased, but after all, I still have some image, and I couldn't be too displeased. Being messed with to this extent, being a little displeased is very reasonable. But I only know now that Practitioner Su vigorously saves the demon crowds; if there is no such boldness, it is difficult to achieve. I also indeed saw the demon crowds attacking the fourfold assembly of disciples of the temple, and everyone was swaying. Let's be polite and not go into too much detail; in short, this had a significant impact on the temple and caused a lot of interference to Practitioner Su. Even so, Practitioner Su continued to save, and the disciples in the temple are slowly recovering. I am indeed very grateful to them; if it weren't for their sacrifice, I am afraid I wouldn't have had the chance to be saved today. This feeling of immense gratitude is beyond words. This is my sincere word, absolutely not false.

I hope to learn more Buddha-Dharma in the future, and then think about how to make up for these mistakes, hoping to save the people of China. If I can help Namo Amituofo come to the forefront, perhaps it can also make the fourfold assembly of disciples feel better; this is also one of the compensations. Thank you, Namo Amituofo, and Practitioner Su for saving me and my demon children and grandchildren. I also hope that everyone at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre can continue to save China. And even later, save the whole world, after all, there are too many people who have the same problems as me. Thank you, that is all for today. Namo Amituofo. Mo A-ke."