Fifty Demonic States of Mind (10)
“Further, after the sense-perception skandha is gone, while being in the Samadhi with perfect clarity and without mental distress, the good practitioner may come to crave for special insight. And so, through toiling at exhaustive investigation, he fervidly seeks to know past lives.
“Seizing this long-awaited opportunity, a demon from the heavens will descend on someone to possess that person, using him as a mouthpiece to expound his own theories. Without realizing that he’s been possessed, that person will come to the whereabouts of the good practitioner who craves for special insight, claiming that he has attained ultimate Nirvana, and setting up an altar to preach the demon’s methods.
“Then, inexplicably, the possessed person will make known to his audience his possession of a large pearl, or the demon that possesses him may transform himself into an animal that carries the pearl in its mouth, or other jewels, or bamboo tallies or talismans, peculiar objects of all sorts. The animal may give them to someone and anyone who accepts will be possessed by the demon. Or he may bury the objects in the ground and fool his listeners into believing that the place is illuminated by a ‘bright moon pearl’, so that everyone in the audience believes that they have experienced something unprecedented.
“The possessed person may eat only medicinal herbs, not partaking in any fine food. Or sometimes he may eat only one sesame seed and one grain of wheat a day, but still appears robust, which is of course sustained by the demon power. He will slander Bhikshus, scold his followers, and subject people to ridicule. He takes pleasure in talking about hidden treasures in other places or the secret whereabouts of the sages in the ten directions, and those who follow him often have eccentric encounters.
“This demon is a spirit of a mountain, or of a forest, or of a moated city, or of a river, who has turned into a demon in its old age. He may publicly advocate sexual conduct to sabotage the Buddha´s precepts, and privately also indulge in the Five Desires (wealth, sex, fame, food, and sleep; or objects of all sorts that please the eyes, ears, nose, tongue, and body) together with his followers.
“Or he may appear to be rigorous and diligent, sticking to a diet of vegetation, although he will not exert himself to fixed practice and cultivation. And he takes pleasure in disturbing practitioners, but once he becomes weary of the deed, he will stop possessing the person, and subsequently the followers and the ‘teacher’ will get into trouble with the law.
“You all should be vigilant about this and steer clear of the unfortunate cycle of transmigration; otherwise, if you become confused, you will fall into the Unrelenting Hell.”
又善男子，受阴虚妙，不遭邪虑，圆定发明，三摩地中，心爱知见，勤苦研寻，贪求宿命。尔时天魔，候得其便，飞精附人，口说经法。其人殊不觉知魔着，亦言自得无上涅槃 ，来彼求知善男子处，敷座说法。是人无端于说法处，得大宝珠。其魔或时化为畜生，口衔其珠及杂珍宝 ，简册符牍，诸奇异物，先授彼人，后着其体。或诱听人，藏于地下，有明月珠照耀其处；是诸听者，得未曾有。多食药草，不餐嘉馔，或时日餐一麻一麦，其形肥充 ，魔力持故。诽谤比丘，骂詈徒众，不避讥嫌。口中好言，他方宝藏，十方圣贤潜匿之处。随其后者，往往见有奇异之人。此名山林 ，土地城隍、川岳鬼神，年老成魔，或有宣淫，破佛戒律，与承事者潜行五欲；或有精进，纯食草木，无定行事。恼乱是人 ，厌足心生，去彼人体；弟子与师俱陷王难。汝当先觉，不入轮回；迷惑不知，堕无间狱。
Buddha Mind 