The Redemption of the Demon Sword

This is a record of an interview with Shi Ruyuan, a spirit who once walked the path of a demon, known as the Demon Sword. He sought Chao Du at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now reflects on his transformation following his participation in the Thrice Yearning Ceremony. This interview was recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fajing, on March 23, 2020.

Shi Ruyuan speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Shi Ruyuan. If, a thousand years ago, I had been shown the magnificent and solemn scene of this Chao Du, I would never have chosen to become a demon driven by vengeance. Instead, I would have begged the Buddha for the opportunity to be a human being once more, and I would have gladly offered everything I had in Generosity to all sentient beings."

The Regret of a Thousand Years

"In my past, I also practised within the Buddha’s gate. Although I had not yet had the opportunity to become a formal monastic, I disciplined myself strictly; my heart and my actions were no different from those who had taken the vows. I knew the benefits of practice, but I did not know that one could practise to the level of Practitioner Su—using the Dharma Body to save beings, allowing immeasurable and boundless sentient beings to be saved. If I had known this, even if my fellow practitioner had harmed me and left me in a broken state a thousand years ago, I would have strived to rise above it. I would not have allowed the suffering of a false body to destroy me. I could have used my remaining life to transform my illness and suffering into a force to save the world. Even if I had only one breath left, I could still have helped beings, all through a heart of no-self.

It is a great pity that I did not have the opportunity to meet Practitioner Su a thousand years ago. After I died, I carried my hatred into the demon path and committed sins that are difficult to repay. Yet, I am fortunate—truly fortunate—that today I have the Causal Conditions to be saved by Practitioner Su, to stop my erroneous actions, and to receive redemption once again."

The Miracle of the Thrice Yearning Ceremony

"I participated in the entire Thrice Yearning Ceremony. The Buddha-light shone everywhere, and golden light was sprinkled across the assembly. As the suffering spirits were illuminated by the Buddha-light, they were cleansed of the dust and suffering of their cycles of reincarnation. During the Chao Du of the Dharma assembly, they were led by Namo Amituofo and attained rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.

I had never seen a single grain of sand transformed into a human body before. Layer upon layer of sand—it was an uncountable number of souls trapped within, enduring their karmic retribution. The time they spent suffering was calculated in ten thousand, a million, ten million, or even a billion years. I was shocked to discover that many of these suffering spirits came from our Demon Realm. I cannot deny it; we truly deserve such karmic retribution. Seeing so many suffering beings, I admit that we should indeed face the consequences of our actions."

The Heart of Practitioner Su

"Seeing the scene of Practitioner Su’s Chao Du, with an endless sea of spirits constantly moving toward the golden light, I realised this is the mind-capacity of Practitioner Su. Without such an immeasurable and boundless mind-capacity, it would be impossible to save so many beings. I feel ashamed and repentant. Although I practised in the Buddha’s gate in the past, I never learned the Buddha-heart. If I had been able to forgive my fellow practitioner for what he did to me, I would not have chosen to become a demon. I clung tightly to the feelings of my physical body and to the regrets of my unfulfilled wishes, which led me to become a member of the demon path. I even extended my hatred to all of humanity.

Now, as I look back upon my past, I truly feel ashamed before the Buddha and ashamed before all beings. If I could be given a chance to start over, I would be willing to do everything in my power to save beings alongside the Buddha."

Awakening and Repentance

"During the Thrice Yearning Ceremony, I could not bear to blink even for a second. The towering, majestic Namo Amituofo radiated golden light, reaching out to lead immeasurable spirits. His compassionate eyes saw nothing but the suffering of beings. Through the eyes of Namo Amituofo, I saw Practitioner Su. It turns out that Practitioner Su’s heart is the same as the Buddha-heart. He is truly a Buddha, showing compassion by remaining in this world in this physical body to bear the suffering of beings and to save them.

I shed tears, feeling extreme shame. Where is the pain I could never forget now? I bit down hard on the past, and for a thousand years, I made myself suffer and harmed other beings. Only now do I understand: how can there be right or wrong in this world? It is all just laws of karma and cause and effect; there is no need for discriminations. Why should one still hold onto a personality in this world? My personality only harmed me.

As Practitioner Su gave his Dharma talks, I took every word into my heart. My whole body trembled incessantly. Every sentence of the sutra was awakening my conscience, awakening the deep, true Goodness within my heart. I never thought I could return to a pure state. As I took Practitioner Su’s teachings deeper into my heart, my body became more purified, and I finally understood what the Buddha’s teachings truly are. I must change my ways. I have no reason to continue being a demon; I have a greater responsibility to save beings.

Oh, Buddha! Can the sins I committed over a thousand years still be forgiven by You? Is there still a chance for me to repay the debts I owe? I have failed so many beings, and I have failed my parents. If Practitioner Su had not brought me here, I would still be doing evil in the universe, still thinking about taking revenge. The hatred in my heart had accumulated for a thousand years, but I never imagined that all of it was an illusion. When the Buddha-sound awakened the compassion in my heart, that hatred drifted away like smoke. How could there be any hatred left? I regret my past, but I cannot call it back. I can only grasp the present and follow the Buddha to save the world; that is the only thing I should do. I beg the Buddha to give me the opportunity to change my ways. I am willing to follow the Buddha throughout my many lives, and throughout my many lives, I will act for the sake of all beings."

Namo Amituofo."