Demonic Nature (Moxing) · Accessible Version¶

This version is for readers encountering Lifechanyuan thought for the first time. Everyday situations help make the meaning of demonic nature understandable, along with a practical path for self-reflection.

Is There a Demon Living Inside You?¶

It sounds dramatic, but Lifechanyuan tells us: everyone has a demon living inside them — and a Buddha, a Celestial Being, and a divine being as well.

This is not a metaphor. It follows from the law of cosmic holography: because there are demonic beings in the universe, and because the universe is holographic, every person carries a demonic nature gene, just as every person also carries a divine nature gene. The question is not "do I have demonic nature?" — the question is which nature is in charge right now.

The Guide Xuefeng puts it in a way that's easy to grasp:

A person is like a television set — when one's consciousness is tuned to the demon's channel, the information one receives comes from demons; in other words, one is in the process of becoming demonic. If tuned to the Buddha's channel, the information comes from Buddhas, and one is drawing closer to the Buddha.

(the Chanyuan Corpus · Wisdom · Subduing Demonic Nature, 2012/11/7)

Eight Signals: Which Channel Are You Tuned To?¶

The source texts list eight states that allow demonic nature to take the lead. Check yourself honestly:

① Arrogance
Always feeling superior to others, looking down on people, unable to accept criticism.
→ "Arrogance is the ideal condition for becoming demonic. Once a person becomes arrogant, that person is already resonating with the same frequency as demons."

② Self-centeredness
Conversation always comes back to you. You blame others for everything that goes wrong. You easily get into arguments and flare up in anger.
→ "Always putting themselves first, enjoying argument and conflict, and easily becoming angry — that person is moving toward the demonic."

③ Darkness
Acting furtively, afraid to be seen. Speaking ill of others behind their backs, prying into private affairs.
→ "That person has drawn close to the demonic."

④ Greed and cunning
Desires that are never satisfied. Willing to do anything for gain — presenting one face in public and another in private.
→ "Boundless desire is demonic."

⑤ False spiritualism
Claiming to communicate with spirits or divine beings without genuine spiritual perception — using this to gain others' trust or obedience.
→ "Using supernatural powers, sorcery, or fabricated dream-visions to deceive others — this is the demonic."

⑥ Intense jealousy
When others succeed or are praised, your first impulse is to tear them down rather than celebrate them.
→ "By this comes hatred in the heart, then acting to destroy — this is the manifestation of the demonic."

⑦ Extreme selfishness
Never grateful for anything. When things don't go your way, you either explode or seethe in silent resentment. You always feel others owe you something.
→ "This is the sign that demonic nature is erupting."

⑧ Threatening with death
When frustrated, using the threat of your own death — or harm to others — to force people into giving you what you want.
→ "This is the behavior of sons and daughters of demons."

(All eight from: the Chanyuan Corpus · Wisdom · Subduing Demonic Nature, 2012/11/7)

Having Demonic Nature Does Not Make You a Demon¶

Here is something important: everyone has demonic nature, and this is not your fault. Even sages have demonic nature. What distinguishes a sage is the ability to keep it suppressed:

The reason a sage is a sage is precisely that he suppresses his demonic nature and allows his divine and Buddha nature to manifest. A sage will never, on the grounds of being simultaneously Buddha and demon, allow demonic nature to run wild.

(the Guide's Other Articles · 2022 · A Second Letter to Lotus Grass)

How to Subdue Demonic Nature¶

The source texts offer a clear direction:

Revere the Greatest Creator, revere LIFE, revere nature. Be humble. Make offering and contribution your first duty in life. Act with an open and upright heart in all you do … Always look for the excellent and luminous side of others and of society. Feel joy in the happiness and well-being of others. Seek to understand right and wrong from the standpoint of others. Remain calm. Maintain inner peace. Never threaten others with death. Do not take extreme paths …

(the Chanyuan Corpus · Wisdom · Subduing Demonic Nature, 2012/11/7)

There is also one factor that is easy to overlook: the environment you live in.

Worship the Buddha and receive Buddha nature; worship demons and receive demonic nature … Understand these truths early, and separate yourself early from troubled places and troubled people — otherwise, regret will come too late.

(the Guide's Other Articles · 2006 · Dissolving Worldly Ties and Cultivating Celestial Ties)

Why Does This Matter?¶

Because the stakes are real:

If one does not subdue one's demonic nature, one will suffer greatly and fall into the lower spaces of LIFE, enduring boundless suffering.

(the Chanyuan Corpus · Wisdom · Subduing Demonic Nature, 2012/11/7)

And seen from the larger picture, the whole purpose of practice is to elevate LIFE:

The elevation of LIFE's quality means: transforming from animal nature to human nature, from human nature to celestial and Buddha nature, from celestial and Buddha nature to divine nature.

(the Xuefeng Corpus · Soul · Continuing the Discussion on Elevating the Quality of LIFE, 2023-02-23)

Subduing demonic nature is not about suppressing who you are. It is about letting the best of what you are take charge.

Arrogance (Aoman) · Humility · Gratitude · Clinging to the Self (Wo-Zhi) · Inverted Thinking · Becoming Celestial and Becoming Buddha · Inner Garden of the Spirit