The Origins of Demonic Influence: Teachings from Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju

In these teachings, Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju illuminates the subtle and often misunderstood origins of demonic influence. Many people wonder why they feel unsettled or why their lives seem to spiral into chaos. The answer, as the Teacher explains, lies within our own hearts and minds.

The Roots of Demonic Influence

How do we attract the demon crowds? It begins when our inner world is in turmoil. When we lack peace, we harbour unwholesome thoughts and engage in negative contemplation. This state of mind creates a fertile ground for external influences to take hold. Specifically, we invite these influences through:

• Strong ego and habits: When our personal ego, selfishness, and attachment to our own views become rigid, we lose the flexibility of a pure heart.
• Subjectivity and dominance: A tendency to be overly subjective or to adopt an aggressive, controlling style in our interactions with others.
• Digital obsession: Becoming deeply lost and addicted to the virtual world of the internet, which scatters our focus.
• Walking deviant paths: Engaging in actions that are harmful, harbouring wicked intentions, or choosing to watch and consume content that is dark and unwholesome.

The Trap of Desires and Senses

We often find ourselves trapped by the pursuit of the Five Desires and the Six Dusts. These are the very things that bind us to the cycle of suffering. The Five Desires—wealth, sex, fame, food, and sleep—are often called the five roots of the hells. Similarly, the Six Dusts—sights, sounds, smells, tastes, touch, and thoughts—constantly pull our attention away from our true nature. When we add the Five Poisons of greed, anger, ignorance, arrogance, and doubt to this mix, we create a powerful magnet for negativity.

The Mechanism of Manipulation

Everyone naturally hopes that their desires will be satisfied and their wishes will come true. However, if our hearts are not aligned with the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way, we inadvertently provide the demon crowds with the perfect opportunity to put in the work. They manipulate human hearts and desires, drawing us deeper into a web from which it is difficult to escape. We end up living in a state of constant pain, hurting both ourselves and those around us. By creating these negative causes, we inevitably reap evil consequences, which can lead to the suffering of the hells.

Reflecting on the Self

We must ask ourselves: in our past actions, have we not also acted as the demon crowds for our own karmic creditors? When we cause others to suffer, we are essentially manifesting the very demonic energy we fear. To break free from this cycle, we must learn how to stop being controlled by these external and internal forces.

The Path to Liberation

How can we protect ourselves and walk the righteous path? We must commit to a life of discipline and clarity:

• Cultivate contentment: Practise having few desires and being satisfied with what one has.
• Maintain gratitude: Always keep a heart of gratitude, understanding that everything we have today is hard-won and precious.
• Sever the roots: Actively work to cut off the Five Desires, the Six Dusts, and the Five Poisons.
• Transform your habits: Change your personality traits, let go of ego-attachment, and abandon subjective views.
• Avoid digital addiction: Do not become lost in the virtual world.
• Uphold the Precepts: Understand that when you break the Precepts, you are only hurting yourself. It is not the fault of others, but your own responsibility.
• Chant Namo Amituofo: Focus your mind entirely on chanting Namo Amituofo. When you initiate this practice, you receive the Buddha's blessings.
• Follow the Universal Principles: Live according to the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way, ensuring that you never violate these sacred laws.

By walking the righteous path, adhering to the True Teachings, and maintaining right thoughts and right actions without deviation, you will naturally receive the protection of the Dharma-protecting deities. Strive for no-self, free from selfish hearts, selfish thoughts, and selfish interests. Dedicate all your actions to the benefit of all beings. Namo Amituofo.