The Vengeance and Redemption of Demon Hatred

This is a record of an interview with a spirit who identified himself as 'Demon Hatred,' a leader among the demon crowds responsible for the spread of the pandemic in the United States and Japan. He sought Chao Du at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia and now resides in the Western Dharma-Nature Land. This account reflects upon his life as an Indigenous American approximately two hundred years ago. Recorded by the chief writer, Practitioner Shi Haize, on August 30, 2021.

Demon Hatred (Shi Yongguang) speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. Humans often pride themselves on being the lords of all creation, believing they can master everything. Yet, they never imagined they would stumble so violently during this pandemic. They have fallen, and their bodies are covered in wounds. They wish to heal these wounds, to stand up, and to continue moving forward, hoping to return to the way things were. But looking at the current situation, they are not only covered in scars, but those wounds are also constantly deepening. It is impossible for them to even think about standing up, let alone taking another step forward. This is the achievement of the demon realm in joining this pandemic; it is a deep, festering pain in the hearts of humanity.

The Fear of Death and the Role of the Demon Realm

Under the relentless pressure of the pandemic, people have no time to heal. They remain trapped in the fear of death. This is the result of a great gathering of the demon realm, the fruit of two years of collective effort by the demon crowds. As for whether this will continue, that depends on whether the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre and Namo Amituofo have the opportunity to intervene and save humanity from this crisis.

Based on my observations over the past three weeks in the Western Dharma-Nature Land, the demon realm is already well aware of the significance and the role of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in this pandemic. Although humans may not yet be aware of this, the demon realm and the spiritual realms understand it very clearly: if anyone can invite Namo Amituofo to come forth and resolve this pandemic, then humanity will have a chance at victory. However, the laws of karma and cause and effect will not simply write off these debts. No matter which country you are reborn in or what language you speak, the laws of karma will find you. They will deliver the virus to those who are destined to contract it. As for whether one lives or dies, that is a matter of individual karma, which is not something we can change. Since the cause has already been planted, how can the fruit be avoided? In this unavoidable situation, if people can refrain from complaining or resenting, if they can understand the truth and the laws of karma, and if they can accept the changes happening to themselves and those around them with a calm and open heart, such people are more likely to be saved. They save themselves. Although the laws of karma do not show favouritism, if one's own heart is willing to change and reform, it is possible to transform one's own karmic retribution. Looking at it this way, if intelligent humans discover this loophole and wish to end the pandemic, they should truly put in the effort to work on their hearts."

The Expertise of the Buddha’s Teachings

"This is the specialty of the Buddha’s teachings. If we want to stand out and convince the demon realm, it appears that Namo Amituofo and Practitioner Su are the primary candidates, as they have incredibly rich experience in subduing the demon realm. The reason this pandemic has not yet receded is primarily due to the demon realm. Only by addressing the situation from this perspective can we make it possible for the pandemic-causing demon crowds to retreat. If people understood this, resolving the pandemic would be easy—far better than relying on vaccines or other methods that provide a false sense of security but offer no real help. This is a suggestion I offer from a relatively objective standpoint, and it is only because of the purification I have undergone in the Western Dharma-Nature Land over the past three weeks that I can say these things. Only after purification can one speak such truths; otherwise, we would never concern ourselves with human affairs. The death and injury of humans would be our only focus; why would we ever offer effective, targeted advice?"

A Debt from Past and Present Lives

"The reason I took on the work of expanding the pandemic in America and Japan is, in a sense, a connection from my past and present lives. The history of the United States is not long—only about two hundred years—yet they have done many earth-shattering things and sacrificed countless lives. How else could they have risen so quickly to become a world power? For us in the demon realm, the United States is a key area for development. Because of the heinous acts they have committed, causing human death and deep-seated anxiety, it is only natural for the spirits of the deceased, who are filled with extreme anger and resentment, to enter the demon realm. When these forces of hatred combine and form an energy in the demon realm, this energy will naturally seek an opportunity to return as a reactive force upon the people who committed these acts. This is the law of karma; no one can escape it! Even if one changes their body, face, or gender, everything they have done is recorded, bit by bit, in their spiritual memory. We in the demon realm can read these spirits and memories. The Americans who committed these acts are the very targets I invaded during this pandemic!

The demon realm does not distinguish by nationality. However, when focusing on a specific case, the spirits of those who were originally victimised naturally gather together. In our usual demonic work, because national conditions differ, we must understand the hearts of the local people to know their weaknesses and ensure victory. As for the pandemic, even if we do not understand the local people, it does not matter; as long as we know how to place the virus upon them, half the goal is achieved. That said, looking at the big picture, most of the Demon Kings and their demon children and grandchildren who are spreading the pandemic in the Americas and Japan have a karmic connection to these two places. This is the arrangement of Causal Conditions. The United States was the primary target for the demon crowds I led, while Japan was a secondary one. Before I entered the temple, the number of people invaded totalled about ninety-eight thousand, with approximately four thousand nine hundred deaths."

The Tragedy of the Indigenous People

"I grew up as an Indigenous American—an Indian—whom the early settlers of the United States looked down upon and even slaughtered. We are the native inhabitants of the Americas; no one can replace us. Our spirits and blood are fused with this land. For hundreds of thousands of years, no matter how the environment changed, we coexisted with it, living in peace until today. We are not without culture, and we are certainly not without intelligence; otherwise, how could we have survived until now? Without modern weapons, guns, or cannons, we relied on mutual respect and understanding with nature to survive. This ability is far superior to the early Americans who arrived relying on modern blades and weapons to conquer.

After all, blades and bullets have no eyes. Because of their invasion, displacement, murder, and disregard, they forcibly seized the land and space we needed to survive. How many kind, simple, and natural Indigenous people—elders, women, adults, and children—lost their lives under their ruthless and arrogant attacks? They feared that these surviving lives would pose a threat to their own survival. Many girls and women became objects of their lust and violence, and even more became slaves to serve them. Some committed suicide because they could not bear the discrimination and humiliation. Our homes were destroyed and occupied; our families and tribes were forced to scatter and separate. The spirits of those who died under such circumstances are filled with such tragedy, resentment, and pain! Those Indigenous people who were driven to remote and dangerous places had to adapt to the environment, facing natural disasters like storms, floods, snowstorms, and the threat of large animals. Before the tribes had the ability to protect themselves, many defenceless lives became victims. They escaped the persecution and displacement of the Americans, but they could not escape the ruthless taking of life by nature. How could the spirits who died in such situations ever let them go?

I originally grew up in a happy family. Our tribe was not large, but we possessed the artifacts and wisdom left behind by our ancestors. Unless there was an external attack, we would never initiate an attack. At that time, our ancestors led us, and we lived peacefully on this land for thousands of years, passing it down from generation to generation, living a simple life without contention. Yet, when the Americans invaded our land, they saw our appearance—our bronze-coloured skin, our language, our feather garments, and the tools we took from nature, our most important defensive tools: bows, spears, and stone knives. They considered our life primitive and backward, so they brought out knives, guns, and even cannons to kill us. Our tribe died at the hands of Americans who charged in with guns, ruthlessly shooting our people. Adults, children, and the elderly could only run in panic. Those who could not escape became souls under their guns; those who managed to escape were left with only half a life.

I was fifteen at the time. I could run very fast, but I was holding my younger sister. She was only ten; she couldn't run fast and fell, so I simply carried her. I still remember that before my sister and I were shot, the man looked me in the eyes. His gaze told me, 'You are dead!' Then, without mercy, he fired two bullets. My sister and I were hit and fell to the ground! Before I breathed my last, I stared straight into his eyes and saw him reveal a triumphant smile. His laughter echoed in my ears for a long time. I died with my eyes wide open! I wanted to see this person's face clearly. 'One day, I will come back for you!' That is how I died. My spirit was filled with resentment and was pushed by a force into the dark world—the Demon Realm."

From Hatred to Repentance

"In the demon realm, no one asks why you entered or how you got there, because we all sense each other's anger and resentment, which corresponds to our own state and environment. There is no need to say much; just unleash your resentment and hatred to the fullest. If you are strong enough, ruthless enough, and tough enough, no one will dare stop you! That is how I used my overflowing hatred to charge forward in the demon realm. Over two hundred years, I fought my way to the status of a Demon King. I was single-minded, wanting only to avenge this grudge, which is why my name is 'Demon Hatred'—I lived in the demon realm solely for this hatred! I was waiting for the day I could take revenge. This pandemic finally gave me that chance. The United States was our primary target!

The people who came to the Americas and became Americans after slaughtering the Indigenous people were the very targets of our first attack! Although these people have died and are living in this world with new faces, with the sensitivity of our demon realm, one look is enough to know what they did in the past. Anyone who slaughtered, persecuted, or looked down upon the Indigenous people could not escape this pandemic invasion! As for whether they die or are lucky enough to survive, it depends on the extent to which they persecuted the Indigenous people at that time! This is retribution; it is the law of karma spoken of in the Buddha’s teachings.

Today, many of these people have already been listed among the dead, or have been confirmed to have the illness but have not yet passed away. Many of those who have not yet died had feelings of repentance or remorse for what they did to the Indigenous people at the time. We can see these spiritual memories, so we have been reserved in the amount of virus released. It can be considered showing mercy, and it is also them saving themselves. If they did not know how to repent at the time, or even felt proud and took credit, or held official positions, they are dead for sure in this pandemic! Even if they are kind civilians in this lifetime, they must pay the price for what they once did. This is the fairness of karma.

Just as we were fully committed to the pandemic in the US and Japan, news spread that Namo Amituofo and a person named Practitioner Su at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia were coming out to resolve the pandemic. How could we let that happen! So, we came to investigate. Were we too careless? Or has the life of our demon realm reached its end? I found the answer after staying in the Western Dharma-Nature Land for three weeks. I believe it was the compassionate call of Namo Amituofo and our Indigenous ancestors that guided us to stop our revenge, leading us to the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, urging us to put down the slaughter and stop causing human deaths. Although the things we did in the past are unforgivable, we must open our minds and forgive them for the ruthless and cruel slaughter they committed against our people. If they treated us this way, and we treat them the same, wouldn't we be the same as them? After I received this answer, my heart let go. The overflowing hatred that had not vanished for over two hundred years suddenly dissolved!

We did not know Namo Amituofo, but under the illumination of the Buddha-light, our hearts were purified. We now not only know this Namo Amituofo, but we also know that the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss established by Namo Amituofo is meant to lead these suffering, helpless, and pitiful spirits into his world. This is something I have seen and learned during the Thrice Yearning Ceremonies at the temple and through Practitioner Su’s Dharma talks.

During the Dharma assembly, the Buddha-name 'Namo Amituofo' was chanted continuously. I saw many suffering spirits being saved and entering the golden light of the Buddha. These spirits were clearly suffering from torment and persecution, and the Buddha compassionately shone his light upon them, dissolving the pain in their hearts. Seeing this scene, I felt ashamed and repentant for what I had done. I could not help but kneel before the Buddha, begging him to let his Buddha-light compassionately shine upon the Indigenous spirits who were harmed at that time, so that their spirits could find peace. I believe the Buddha heard me, and I believe that many spirits, like me, have now found peace.

From this moment on, I am no longer 'Demon Hatred,' but have returned to being the kind and lively young Indigenous man I once was. My spirit has returned to its original skin colour, my face has recovered its original smile, and my heart has been soothed. I no longer hold hatred. All of this is the grace bestowed upon us by the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre and Practitioner Su. My spirit has been reborn here, and my heart is filled with gratitude. I am grateful for everything.

The Buddha has bestowed upon 'Demon Hatred' the Dharma name Shi Yongguang."

Demon Hatred (Shi Yongguang)