The Internet as a Demon's Hunting Ground

This is a record of an interview with the demon Mo Zhonghan, who sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Land of Dharma Nature. This account reflects upon his existence spanning approximately 1.8 billion years. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fajing, on July 5, 2024.

Mo Zhonghan speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. No matter how advanced or brilliant human technology becomes, you still cannot see us. We demons do not possess physical bodies like yours; we are not visible to the physical eyes of humans. We are spirits—spirits imbued with malevolent power—that manifest wherever such darkness exists. We are omnipresent because, let us be honest, there is no place in this world where evil does not linger. Everywhere you look, there is a trace of dark energy, a subtle vibration of malice that we call home. The world is saturated with these frequencies, and we thrive within them.

Naturally, the Earth is no exception. I must be frank: the number of demon crowds on Earth is staggering. It is not just a few; they have practically occupied the entire planet, layer upon layer, dimension upon dimension. You might wonder why there are so many of us here, why this planet has become such a focal point for our kind. It is not a mystery at all—you only need to look into the human heart to find the answer. Look at how selfish people have become. Every household shuts its doors, thinking only of their own interests. Even within a single family, parents and children have their own agendas, often standing firmly in their own corners. Husbands and wives are no different. Because of this pervasive selfishness, conflict is constant, even among those who share a home. This internal friction creates the very atmosphere we need to survive and flourish.

The Invisible Presence Among Humans

When we see humans living in such a state of discord, how could we not exist here? We are drawn to Earth by the very force of human malice. We arrive in massive waves, growing in number year after year. Our goal is simple: to expand our own power on Earth, thereby elevating our status and capabilities within the Demon Realm. We control humans, and the more tightly we grip them, the stronger our power becomes. Earth is a magnet for demon crowds; it is a planet teeming with every variety of demon, with Demon Kings gathering their own 'demon children and grandchildren' within the invisible spaces of your world. We are the shadows that follow your every thought of greed, anger, and ignorance.

I arrived on Earth relatively late. By the time I descended, many of the spaces most profitable for our kind were already occupied. I was genuinely surprised by how quickly my peers had moved; everyone had already scouted Earth as the prime location to bolster their dark influence. I brought all of my 'demon children and grandchildren' with me, determined to make Earth my primary base of operations. I told myself that since I had made such a significant commitment, I would ensure I reaped the greatest rewards and became more powerful than ever before. I was hungry for status, hungry for the dark energy that only a planet as chaotic as Earth could provide.

The Internet: A Modern Hunting Ground

I began scouting for the perfect territory to launch my influence, and I eventually set my sights on the internet. This space has only existed for about fifty years, but the moment I perceived it, I knew it was exactly what I had been searching for. If you calculate the timeline, my presence on Earth has been limited to about five decades. Back then, the internet was in its infancy—hardly accessible and functionally weak. Yet, even then, I clearly saw the potential of the entire digital market. I knew this was a place waiting for me to develop, and I was certain I would find great success within it. It was a vast, uncharted territory of human consciousness, ripe for exploitation.

As the years passed, I watched the internet grow exponentially. Humans are incredibly clever, but we demons are even sharper. We know how to manipulate the human brain and body to develop sophisticated networks, making the internet more attuned to human needs and, more importantly, deeply satisfying to human desires. At first, there were few demons in the digital space; only the most visionary Demon Kings saw the potential. But news travels fast among us. Soon, a swarm of demon crowds descended, all realising that the Earth's internet was a goldmine. As long as we could exert our influence there, we were guaranteed to benefit. We fed on the clicks, the scrolls, and the endless stream of human attention.

The Cycle of Addiction and Despair

I managed to seize a prime territory, securing a significant foothold in the digital realm. My domain is not small, and my dark energy permeates many corners of the internet. Many humans have wandered into my territory. Of course, not everyone is easily ensnared; some possess protective forces, while others have the self-discipline to exercise restraint, preventing them from being pulled into the illusory traps we set. However, the ones we can control are those who, the moment they enter the digital world and see an image or video that stirs their desire, lose all ability to restrain themselves. They might intend to spend only ten minutes searching for something, but before they know it, one, two, or three hours have vanished, and they are still glued to the screen. They are lost in the flicker of the monitor, oblivious to the passage of time.

The people I have described only spiral deeper; they never improve. Under our control and temptation, they become increasingly obsessed. They do not find it boring; they find it intoxicating. The hallmark of our digital world is that whatever you crave is provided in endless supply—provided you have the search skills and the persistence to break through the barriers. Those who are addicted will exhaust every method to obtain what they want. Even if it costs money, they will find a way to get it, just to satisfy their cravings. These individuals usually have very weak self-control. They are slaves to their bodies; whatever the body wants, whatever it likes, they obey, leading to behaviours they can no longer manage. They have surrendered their sovereignty to the digital void.

Usually, these people are those who have achieved little in society. Successful people understand restraint; they know there are more important things to do and do not waste their time on such trivialities. Or, perhaps, successful people are simply too busy to indulge in such pastimes. Consequently, the development of those addicted to the internet is severely stunted, trapping them in a vicious cycle. They were already lacking in ambition, and now, by pouring all their energy into the internet, they have even less drive or motivation in the real world. To expect any real achievement from them is impossible. They are trapped in a loop of their own making, fed by our influence.

The Unforeseen Intervention of Practitioner Su

In the real world, these people inevitably face frustration because they are destined for failure. This frustration only drives them to burrow deeper into the internet, where, at the very least, they can imagine themselves as top-tier, powerful figures whom others cannot match. They are lost—completely lost. They pour their inner longings into an illusory digital world. The sense of achievement they feel is a phantom; it cannot exist in the real world. Once the computer is turned off, there is nothing left. They are empty-handed, having achieved nothing, and are left with only a deeper sense of void. Many face this reality and become even more disheartened, falling into despair. They know their lives have no hope, and they know they cannot leave the internet, yet they lack the motivation to change their path.

Most of these people are young, but there are also many married individuals—husbands who have wives and children. These men often appear irresponsible, sacrificing their families' needs for their own pleasure, burying themselves in online games or other digital interests. When their families beg for a moment of their time, they refuse, too addicted to care. Such results inevitably lead to the failure of their marriages. The internet brings convenience, but it also brings tragedy to many. We draw them in, feeding on those who are susceptible to our hooks. It is a harvest of human potential, wasted in the glow of the screen.

My power grew rapidly over these fifty years—a rate of growth that far exceeded the previous eighteen billion years of my existence. Is that not astonishing? It is truly staggering, which is why the internet has attracted such a massive, surging influx of demon crowds. With so many of us inside, who could possibly escape? Even those who initially had no interest in the internet, just browsing occasionally, eventually become hooked. Bit by bit, our dark energy pulls them in until it becomes a habit. Suddenly, if they do not log on, they feel strange. Eventually, it becomes an addiction—a dependency they use to escape negative states of mind. Once they reach that point, it is nearly impossible to break free.

I intended to continue developing my influence in the digital realm, waiting for the day I would become a truly powerful Demon King. However, I never, ever expected that all of this would be destroyed by Practitioner Su. Practitioner Su entered the digital world with immense Buddha-light, taking away countless Demon Kings and their demon children and grandchildren. When I first heard of this, I assumed the storm would not reach me. I never imagined that in such a short time, he would come for me! I quickly deployed my strongest dark powers to confront Practitioner Su, believing I had a chance to defeat him. But the final result proved me wrong. I failed.

At this moment, I have left the digital world and arrived in the Western Land of Dharma Nature. I have not yet fully adapted to this place, and my heart still lingers in the digital world. However, this Buddha-land is truly extraordinary. Vast waves of Buddha-light are constantly purifying me, and under this purification, my dark power is slowly, bit by bit, being diminished. I am learning to let go of the illusions I once cherished. Namo Amituofo."