The Scholar's Descent into the Demon Realm

This article documents an interview with Mo Haoyuan, a demon who served as a document official within the Demon Realm. Seeking deliverance from his long-standing cycle of resentment, he arrived at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. This account, recorded by the chief writer, Venerable HaiZe, on June 24, 2021, details his transition from a life of scholarly pursuit to a dark existence as a demon, and his eventual salvation through the compassion of Practitioner Su.

Mo Haoyuan speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I have been hovering in the air above the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre for several days and nights now, observing everything, until I was finally discovered by Practitioner Su and invited into the Western Dharma-Nature Land. During my time in the sky, I witnessed many extraordinary sights. I brought my 'demon children and grandchildren' with me, determined to observe the actual operations of this place without missing a single detail. We stayed for days because every day brought different events and phenomena, including the profound occurrences during the Thrice Yearning Ceremony.

I am a demon involved in the pandemic, sent from the headquarters of the pandemic's spread. Because the Dharma talks given by Practitioner Su at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre are constantly broadcasting into the Dharma Realm, mentioning that Namo Amituofo has the power to resolve this pandemic, our headquarters became deeply concerned. They dispatched me, along with my demon subordinates, to observe and report back on the situation at the temple. Any changes or unusual activities had to be reported to the headquarters immediately. It was a mission of the utmost importance—to provide accurate intelligence so the headquarters could implement effective countermeasures, ensuring the pandemic could continue to unfold as planned. The current global pandemic is the result of the coordinated efforts of many demons, and our headquarters disseminates vital information to all pandemic demons to prevent any attempts to block the virus's progress."

An Unexpected Capture

"I never imagined that before my observation mission was even complete, I would be discovered by Practitioner Su and that the fourfold assembly of disciples at the temple would record my testimony. Is this good fortune or misfortune? The Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre truly possesses inconceivable spiritual power. I had not even announced my name, yet it was already known and written down, and Practitioner Su even labelled this an 'interview'! This is yet another twist of fate. Now, I am required to recount the circumstances of my life before I became a demon. This is truly difficult for me; it happened so long ago, and it feels like a lifetime away. It is painful to recall those sorrowful memories. I have heard that Practitioner Su is filled with infinite compassion for all beings, and he will do anything to save those who are suffering. However, for us demons, this process is incredibly difficult to endure.

Every demon carries a tragic past that they would rather keep buried. Now, I must speak of it in front of my own subordinates, and it is to be made public to the world. This is a cruel thing to ask of me! My demon children and grandchildren are here with me now in the Western Dharma-Nature Land, each sitting on their own lotus seat, surrounding me, ears pricked up, ready to listen to the past life of the 'capable demon king' they admire. Usually, I am the one issuing orders, telling them exactly what to do, and they have no choice but to obey. Now, I have been reduced to a prisoner of sorts, forced to follow the instructions of Practitioner Su. Alas! This is truly the law of cause and effect—retribution! Let me collect my thoughts. Very well, listen closely as I tell my story."

The Life of a Scholar

"I was born in China 1,500 years ago. The chaos of war had just subsided, and the new dynasty was in a state of disarray, with all systems needing to be rebuilt. The nation was in desperate need of talent, so a grand imperial examination was announced to recruit those with ambition to serve in the government. The young were urged to study hard, while those of age and filled with literary knowledge were encouraged to showcase their talents. Older scholars were tasked with establishing private schools to cultivate the children of the village, preparing them to become the pillars of the nation. I was one of those young men, filled with literature and ready for the examinations. My parents had raised me to be well-versed in the Four Books and Five Classics, as well as the three teachings of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism. While others played outside, I was buried in my study, memorising text after text. If I failed to complete the lessons set by my teacher, I was punished by having to kneel on an abacus, a reminder that I had failed the teachings left by our ancestors. I had to continue reciting my lessons while kneeling on that abacus until I could pass. That is how my childhood and youth were spent.

Before the war reached our region, many people fled in fear, but my grandfather, in his wisdom, told us there was no need to run. After the war ended, notices for the imperial examinations were posted in every town. Many of my peers had already left home and had not yet returned, so there were only a few of us left to register. Naturally, we all passed that initial stage. We were deeply grateful for my grandfather's foresight! Because there were five spots available, our teachers were happy to put our names forward, and all five of us passed. We were then sent to the next level of examinations, and in the final round, I was fortunate enough to pass. At that moment, I was the pride of my village. Everyone believed that after the war, the country needed to be reorganised, and by selecting talent, I could obtain an official position and bring honour to my ancestors. I did not disappoint them; I secured a minor local official position. Fortunately, my parents were still alive, so I could show them filial piety. A few years later, they passed away, and I married a wife and had two sons and a daughter."

The Injustice of Power

"It sounds like a smooth story, but when I was forty, a local bully arrived in our district. Usually, even bullies show some respect to an official, or at least try to bribe them to make things easier. But this bully did not look at me with any regard at all. In broad daylight, he abducted my daughter. It was lawless! I dispatched officers to bring her back, but they were openly attacked by his men. This was a blatant challenge to the law. I reported the matter to my superiors, only to have the report suppressed. It turned out that this bully had a powerful patron in the imperial court, which was why he dared to do whatever he wanted. I was filled with anger and sorrow at the corruption of the officials, but with my daughter still in his hands, I could not take drastic action for fear of harming her.

I could not believe that there was no law to punish such an arrogant man. I submitted another report, but this time, not only was it suppressed, but they also came to my home to threaten me, warning me to stop meddling if I valued my life. I never expected that someone would dare to threaten a government official. Even worse, they had simultaneously reported to the Emperor, framing me as a traitor who had been bought by the enemy. By the time I learned of this, it was too late to resist or clarify. I had been an honest official my entire life, believing I had never done anything wrong, yet I faced such a fate. My entire family of thirty people was executed—beheaded! Even my daughter and the servants did not escape. I watched helplessly as they were executed one by one, and finally, it was my turn. The pain was heart-wrenching. I died with a deep sense of injustice, filled with resentment. Before I died, I told myself: 'I must have my revenge!'"

From Ghost to Demon

"I became a vengeful spirit, ensuring that the bully's family would never know peace. His family of fifteen moved away, thinking they would be safe, but I followed them. Eventually, some of them went insane, and others committed suicide. It might seem like we were even, but I did not feel any happier. Instead, my resentment and cruelty deepened with each passing day. Later, on a stormy night, I was enveloped by a dark force that dragged me into the Demon Realm. From that day on, I became a demon. Although I had been an official and knew the difference between right and wrong, the time I spent after death without any autonomy had polluted my true nature. Even after entering the Demon Realm, everything felt natural. I did not blink at performing demonic acts, and I simply went with the flow. Fifteen hundred years passed in the blink of an eye. Naturally, with my literary skills and intellect, the Demon King arranged for me to handle documents and correspondence. Through caution and careful planning, I gradually expanded my influence and became a demon king in my own right. My name is 'Mo Haoyuan'—a scholar's name, but with a demon's heart. This heart was forged by the injustice I suffered, created to protect myself from further harm.

Now, because I came to the temple to investigate, I was discovered by Practitioner Su, and my demonic facade was dismantled. For over a thousand years since entering the demon path, I have kept my distance from humans. Although I knew our demonic power could control them, I was clear that unless it was necessary for demonic business, I should not easily harm human lives. Fortunately, I was assigned to document processing, a role that is in short supply in the Demon Realm. Now, because of my duties, I have been sent to the Western Dharma-Nature Land. This is an arrangement made by the Buddha-land for us. Only here have I had the opportunity to hear the Dharma, which I had not heard in over a thousand years. I have seen scenes I never imagined possible, and I have come to realise that humans possess such great potential—the ability to realise one's true nature and manifest in countless forms, and the power to subdue so many demons. Only then did I understand why they dare to claim they can save the world from this pandemic."

A New Beginning

"This pandemic was orchestrated by summoning demon kings from Earth and other realms, all of whom possess immense power and influence. Beyond the unfair treatment we received while alive, we became demons after death, using our demonic status to destroy the Earth as revenge for the persecution we suffered. In the Demon Realm, we believed this was simply retribution—a punishment that humanity deserved. Regardless, Practitioner Su has now transformed me and my demon subordinates. He shaved our heads and gave us monastic robes, so we might appear with dignity. In truth, my original appearance was not bad; it was only after entering the Demon Realm that my heart changed, and my appearance changed with it. I have always been a person who seeks to get to the bottom of things, to investigate and understand clearly. Now, as a demon king, I have the responsibility to guide my subordinates, but the current situation is far more profound than any training I could have given them. Perhaps this is their good fortune—to be saved by the Buddha before their humanity was completely extinguished by the Demon Realm, allowing them to recover their inherent goodness.

Now, we are here listening to the sutras and hearing the Dharma, adjusting our character. It is the start of a new life. I never imagined I would see this day. What will the future hold? My subordinates and I have shared this thought, and I have transmitted it to them through my mental note: 'Listen well to the sutras, and you will know!'"

Note: The Buddha gave Mo Haoyuan the Dharma name 'Shi Zhongran'.

Memorial Tablet: The spirits of Haoyuan's entire family of thirty remain at the execution ground from 1,500 years ago, each of them weeping with their heads severed. Practitioner Su sounded the qing, reattaching their heads and restoring their bodies to their original state, allowing the entire family to be reunited in the Western Dharma-Nature Land.

Namo Amituofo.