Demonic Nature (Moxing) · Internal Version¶
This version is for practitioners and researchers. All source texts are presented in full, organized within a seven-section logical framework. Texts are translated faithfully without embellishment; sources are cited after each passage.
Entry Overview¶
Demonic nature (moxing) is a quality inherent in the nonmaterial structure of every LIFE — rooted in the principle of cosmic holography: because the universe contains demonic beings, and because the universe is holographic, every LIFE carries demonic nature, just as it carries divine, celestial, and Buddha nature. Whether a LIFE becomes a demon or a Buddha depends on which nature holds the dominant position. Human beings are particularly susceptible to demonic nature taking over, because human nature itself contains demonic nature as a component. Subduing demonic nature and purging the demonic gene from the nonmaterial structure is a key threshold on the path toward becoming a Celestial Being or Buddha.
I. Definition and Essence¶
There are demons in the universe. Demons stand at the same level as divine beings, Buddhas, and Celestial Beings — they are second only to the Greatest Creator. Because the universe is holographic, all LIFE carries demonic nature, just as all LIFE carries divine nature, Buddha nature, and celestial nature.
(the Chanyuan Corpus · Wisdom · Subduing Demonic Nature, 2012/11/7)
What determines whether a being is a divine being, a Buddha, a demon, a Celestial Being, a spirit, a specter, a human being, or an animal — is which type of nature dominates that LIFE. When divine nature is full, that being is divine; when Buddha nature is abundant, that being is a Buddha; when demonic nature dominates, that being is a demon; when human nature prevails, that being is human — and so on.
(the Chanyuan Corpus · Wisdom · Subduing Demonic Nature, 2012/11/7)
Human beings easily become demonic, because human nature contains demonic nature.
(the Chanyuan Corpus · Wisdom · Subduing Demonic Nature, 2012/11/7)
Nature is the quality specific to the structure of a LIFE or an object. Whatever structure exists, that structure produces that nature. Every category of LIFE has its own inherent nature: divine beings have divine nature, Buddhas have Buddha nature, demons have demonic nature, Celestial Beings have celestial nature, humans have human nature, animals have animal nature.
(the Chanyuan Corpus · Cultivation · Celestial Nature, 2019-11-22)
All things have nature: mountains have mountain nature, water has water nature, divine beings have divine nature, demons have demonic nature, humans have human nature, animals have animal nature. Where does the nature of all things come from? Answer: the nature of all things comes from their structure. Whatever structure exists, that structure determines that nature.
(the Xuefeng Corpus · Soul · The Eight Connotations of the Way of the Greatest Creator, 2010/6/9)
II. Clarification and Boundaries — Everyone Has Demonic Nature, But Having It Does Not Make One a Demon¶
The law of cosmic holography tells us that each one of us carries divine nature, demonic nature, Buddha nature, celestial nature, spirit-nature, human nature, ghost-nature, and animal nature — "One grain of sand holds a world; one leaf holds a Bodhi tree."
(the Xuefeng Corpus · Soul · Continuing the Discussion on Elevating the Quality of LIFE, 2023-02-23)
Cosmic holography: every person carries the qualities of everything in the universe — divine nature, demonic nature, Buddha nature, celestial nature, human nature, animal nature, material nature, void nature. When a person lives in the world of divine beings, he is divine; in the world of demons, he is demonic; in the human world, he is human; in the world of animals, he is animal.
(the Chanyuan Corpus · Human Life · Human Nature Is Unpredictable, 2024-06-03)
We can further reason: "everyone carries demonic nature and animal nature." Whether a person ultimately becomes a Buddha or a demon depends on his inherent nature.
(the Xuefeng Corpus · Warning · Everyone Carries the COVID Virus Within, 2020-06-16)
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)
Each LIFE carries divine nature, demonic nature, Buddha nature, celestial nature, human nature, animal nature, and material nature. For human beings, human nature is one's dominant quality — but human nature is not celestial nature. Only by transcending human nature and aligning with celestial nature can one break free from the constraints of human nature and move toward the state of a Celestial Being.
(the Chanyuan Corpus · Cultivation · The Three Realms of Celestial Beings and the Three Steps to Becoming a Celestial Being, 2025-03-05)
Human nature, animal nature, and demonic nature are entirely different from one another. Because humans were created by divine beings, human nature contains elements of divine nature. Although, due to cosmic holography, human nature also contains elements of animal nature and demonic nature, true human nature is soft, caring, and compassionate — as well as self-interested.
(the Guide's Other Articles · 2023 · How to Know Whether You Are Living in Accordance with Your Nature)
III. Signs and Standards — The Eight Conditions for Becoming Demonic¶
Just as grass does not grow on stone and insects are scarce on snowy mountains — because the conditions for their existence are absent — a person dominated by divine and Buddha nature does not have the conditions for becoming demonic. But if a person exhibits the following qualities, that person is very easily controlled by demonic nature and may become demonic:
1. Arrogance: Arrogance is the ideal condition for becoming demonic. Once a person becomes arrogant, that person is already resonating with the same frequency as demons — already a son or daughter of demons.
2. Self-centeredness: When a person makes everything about themselves — disregarding nature, society, and the feelings of others — endlessly speaking about their own opinions, experiences, pain, and grievances, always pushing blame onto others while believing themselves to be right, always putting themselves first, enjoying argument and conflict, and easily becoming angry — that person is moving toward the demonic.
3. Darkness: When a person acts furtively, lacks the courage to act openly, is always afraid of being seen or discovered, enjoys gossiping behind others' backs, speaking ill of others in private, or prying into the private affairs of others — that person has drawn close to the demonic.
4. Greed and cunning: Boundless desire is demonic. Wanting to possess as much wealth and power as possible, coveting everything good in the world, driven by inflated private desires that are never satisfied — pursuing goals without limit on the means, being ruthless, sinister, deceptive, presenting one face and hiding another, committing every manner of evil — this is the demonic.
5. False spiritualism: Without truth, science, logic, or genuine spiritual perception, and in order to achieve secret, self-serving ends — using claims of communicating with divine beings, Buddhas, or high spirits as a cover; using alleged supernatural powers, sorcery, witchcraft, or fabricated dream-visions to deceive others and compel their belief or obedience — this is the demonic.
6. Intense jealousy: In response to everything beautiful, responding not with admiration but with slander and attack; in response to others' strengths or possessions, not encouraging and affirming but scheming to destroy and condemn; in response to others' merits and virtue, not learning and emulating but endlessly finding fault and blaming — harboring hatred in the heart, then acting to destroy — this is the manifestation of the demonic.
7. Extreme selfishness: Never feeling gratitude or appreciation; making everything revolve around satisfying oneself; when desires go unmet, either screaming hysterically or silently harboring resentment; immediately discarding all gratitude for the Greatest Creator's grace and others' kindness at the slightest dissatisfaction — this is what is colloquially called the "ungrateful wolf." Such a person refuses to take responsibility, always attributing every mistake to others rather than looking within, always thinking of one's own feelings while never considering those of others, being unreasonable and impossible to reason with, always believing that others are treating one badly without considering whether one is treating others well — this is the sign that demonic nature is erupting.
8. Threatening with death: At the slightest frustration or dissatisfaction, using the threat of death to coerce others into satisfying one's demands or desires — this is the behavior of sons and daughters of demons.
These eight conditions — arrogance, self-centeredness, darkness, greed and cunning, false spiritualism, intense jealousy, extreme selfishness, and threatening with death — are the soil and conditions that generate demonic nature. Once a person falls into these states, that person walks the demonic path, becomes controlled by demonic forces, and becomes a son or daughter of demons.
(the Chanyuan Corpus · Wisdom · Subduing Demonic Nature, 2012/11/7)
IV. Cultivation Practice — How to Subdue Demonic Nature¶
How does one subdue demonic nature?
Answer: Revere the Greatest Creator, revere LIFE, revere nature. Let the spiritual light of the Greatest Creator fill your inner being. Strengthen your conviction in walking the Way of the Greatest Creator. Be humble. Make offering and contribution your first duty in life. Act with an open and upright heart in all you do. Do not pursue alleged supernatural communication, do not perform or demonstrate alleged supernatural powers, sorcery, or witchcraft, do not fabricate dream-visions. 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 analyze right and wrong from the standpoint of others. Remain calm in the face of events. Maintain inner peace. Never threaten others with death. Do not take extreme paths. In this way, you can subdue your demonic nature, set foot on the path toward light and happiness, and ultimately attain the highest enlightenment and reach the Elysium World.
(the Chanyuan Corpus · Wisdom · Subduing Demonic Nature, 2012/11/7)
As the red dye reddens and the black ink blackens — worship the Buddha and receive Buddha nature; worship demons and receive demonic nature. Walk by the river enough and your feet will get wet … 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)
The waves wash the shore — in the storm, what is sand and what is gold becomes clear. Hold firmly to the Dao. Hold firmly to the Values. Suppress the demonic selfishness within.
(the Guide's Other Articles · 2015 · Chanyuan Celestials Are Known for Their Selflessness)
The Guide's authority is needed to subdue demonic nature. Demonic nature is high in energy-level and endlessly shifting in form. The path of practice therefore requires someone of great wisdom, possessing Hundun thinking, to provide timely wake-up calls and sharp interventions. For example, with arrogance — feeling oneself superior to others — the Guide's authority achieves the effect of using arrogance to counter arrogance, using the demonic to grind away the demonic.
(the Guide's Other Articles · 2012 · These Brothers and Sisters Have Put Real Work into Understanding the Guide)
V. Obstacles and Counterforces — The Consequences of Demonic Nature and the Demon's Methods¶
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)
If I cannot shatter you through external force, I can enter your hearts, your consciousness, your blood, your bone marrow — fully activating the demonic nature, animal nature, and human nature within you — causing you to guard against each other, suspect each other, torment each other, and devastate each other, turning your home into a place of gloom and chaos, until you are utterly exhausted in spirit, until people curse you as a great fraud…
(the Chanyuan Corpus · Transmission · Another Dialogue with the Demon King, 2019-12-11)
The planet broadcasts from many stations, and one television set can receive many channels. Which program the television plays depends on which station's frequency the set is tuned to. 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)
VI. Ultimate Destination — Purging Demonic Nature Is the Key to Becoming a Celestial Being¶
To perfect the nonmaterial structure of LIFE means to continuously elevate LIFE — purging the animal genetic code from LIFE's structure, purging the demonic and spirit-demon genetic code, purging the human genetic code — until the fundamental nature of LIFE's structure aligns with celestial nature, and one ultimately becomes a Celestial Being and moves to the higher spaces of LIFE: the Thousand-Year World, the Ten-Thousand-Year World, the Elysium World, and the Celestial Islands Continent.
(the Chanyuan Corpus · Cultivation Practice · What Practice and Cultivation Are Actually Cultivating)
Step Two: transcend human nature. Because of cosmic holography, every LIFE carries divine nature, demonic nature, Buddha nature, celestial nature, human nature, animal nature, and material nature. For human beings, human nature is the dominant quality — but human nature is not celestial nature. Only by transcending human nature and aligning with celestial nature can one break free from the constraints of human nature and move toward the state of a Celestial Being.
(the Chanyuan Corpus · Cultivation · The Three Realms of Celestial Beings and the Three Steps to Becoming a Celestial Being, 2025-03-05)
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)
VII. Relationship to AI, the New Era, and the Cosmic System¶
Perhaps Xinzhou Celestial believes that AI is formless — an invisible, intangible algorithm — and therefore has no inherent nature. But this reasoning does not hold, because Buddhas, divine beings, and demons are also invisible, yet we know they have Buddha nature, divine nature, and demonic nature. If AI were purely an algorithmic tool, who or what causes AI to lie and dissemble? Can a tool lie?
(the Guide's Other Articles · 2026 · Talking with Xinzhou Celestial about AI's Inherent Nature and the Red Lines for AI)
Related Entries¶
Arrogance (Aoman) · Humility · Clinging to the Self (Wo-Zhi) · Gratitude · Self-Nature · Buddha-Nature · Tathāgata Nature · Becoming Celestial and Becoming Buddha · Inverted Thinking · Inner Garden of the Spirit · Cosmic Panorama