Fifty Demonic States of Mind (9)
“Further, after the sense-perception skandha is gone, while being in the Samadhi with perfect clarity and without any mental distress, the good practitioner may give rise to a craving for deeper and deeper absorption, so he restrains himself to extremes, tirelessly exercising self-control and fervidly seeking stillness in quietude and seclusion.
“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 seeks deeper concentration and absorption, claiming that he has attained ultimate Nirvana, and setting up an altar to preach the demon’s methods. He will cause his listeners to think that they know their karma from past lifetimes. Or he may say to one follower: ‘Although you are not dead yet, you have already become an animal.’ Then he instructs another follower to step on the former’s ‘tail’ from behind, and instantly the former becomes unable to stand up. Thus, the whole audience will fall for him. Also, he is able to immediately discern what people are thinking. He will set up extremely rigorous ascetic practices that go far beyond the Buddha´s precepts. He will slander Bhikshus, scold his followers, expose people’s private affairs and subject them to ridicule and contempt. He will take pleasure in foretelling disasters or twists of fate, and every time it will turn out to be precise.
“This demon is an all-powerful ghost who has turned into a demon in its old age to disturb practitioners. Once it has become weary of the game, it will abandon the person it possessed, and subsequently the followers and the ‘teacher’ will get into trouble with the law.
“You must 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，心爱深入，克己辛勤，乐处阴寂，贪求静谧。尔时天魔 ，候得其便，飞精附人，口说经法。其人本不觉知魔着，亦言自得无上涅槃，来彼求阴善男子处，敷座说法。令其听人各知本业，或于其处 ，语一人言：“汝今未死，已作畜生。”敕使一人，于后蹋尾，顿令其人起不能得，于是一众倾心钦伏。有人起心，已知其肇。佛律仪外，重加精苦 ，诽谤比丘，骂詈徒众，讦露人事，不避讥嫌。口中好言未然祸福，及至其时，毫发无失。此大力鬼，年老成魔，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 