The Demon Subduing Sutra: The Silent Battle With the Demon Within Yourself

A dharma talk on the Demon Subduing Sutra by Venerable Thich Chan Quang helps us realize that demons are not outside of us, but are the jealous and arrogant states of mind within our own heart. Keep your mind steady to win the battle within.

Have you ever been meditating and seen the Buddha come to pat your head, praising you, and then felt yourself to be more special than others? If so, be careful. That may be a demon's illusion, not a holy vision. In the Demon Subduing Sutra (from the Middle Length Discourses), the Venerable Maha Moggallana pointed out that evil demons are not wicked monsters, but can be beings with blessings from merit, who practice, and who even claim to be saints. Today, let us explore this sutra to recognize the demon within ourselves and in our daily lives.

The Evil Demon Is Not a Monster — It May Be You

When the Venerable Moggallana rebuked the evil demon, the demon did not accept being a demon. It said: I am not an evil demon, I am a divine being. In truth, demons also believe in cause and effect (karmic law), they also create merit, and they once practiced meditative concentration. The only difference is slight: within their mind there is arrogance and jealousy. Venerable Thich Chan Quang said: It takes only a tiny bit to become an evil demon. People go to the temple to chant sutras and make offerings, but when they see others being praised, they feel uncomfortable and seek to bring them down. That person is becoming a lesser demon. Look back at yourself: are you being a demon without knowing it?

Because over many lifetimes they have created merit and practiced meditative concentration, their merit and powers are very great. So they always believe they are saints.

Two Extremes in Looking at Buddhism

Buddhism is a path of truth, speaking what is right and affecting our lives. Yet many people fall into one of two extremes. Some focus too much on mystical mythology, living in dreams, detached from reality. Others completely deny the metaphysical world, believing this world alone is enough. Both are mistaken. The metaphysical world is very important, because it affects us every day, like invisible electricity or polluted air.

The metaphysical world is a world we cannot see or know, yet it impacts us greatly every day, every hour of our lives.

Demons Do Not Attack Directly — They Lure Our Mind Into Motion

A demon cannot enter a gentle heart. It must use external circumstances to stir up unwholesome states of mind. Sometimes a demon incites others to come and curse us, so that anger arises. Once the mind is stirred, the demon seizes it and enters. Venerable Thich Chan Quang taught: Only when the mind is stirred can the demon seize that mind and come directly, entering completely. Therefore, practitioners must guard their mind very carefully. Do not let praise or blame from outside move you.

The best practice is to see nothing at all. When many practitioners see the Buddha or see saints, be careful — that is not a true Buddha or saint, but a demon appearing.

Signs of a Demon: Arrogance and Claiming Divinity

Some people, after practicing, begin to call themselves divine or holy, claiming to have attained this path or that, gathering many followers. That is the mark of a demon. True saints are always humble and courteous. Venerable Thich Chan Quang told a story: a Buddhist laywoman came and said that the god of Da Lao mountain had ordered the master to return. That god's name was Minh Triet. But the master simply replied that another god had called him to Long An to give a dharma talk, leaving her bewildered. He did not resist, yet he was not swayed either. That is how one awakens someone clinging to wrong views.

It takes only a tiny bit to become an evil demon.

Keep the Mind Steady as a Mountain — The Battle With Yourself

The battle between demon and Buddha does not take place somewhere far away, but right within your own mind. When we keep the mind unmoved, the demon can do nothing. Venerable Thich Chan Quang said: Between demon and Buddha, we do not fight the demon — we fight our own mind. For example, when hearing others criticize us, if we smile and keep a mind of compassion, the demon must give up. Conversely, a single word of praise that excites us, awakening arrogance in the mind, gives the demon its opportunity.

Between demon and Buddha, we do not fight the demon — we fight our own mind.

A Lesson From a Saint: Facing Past Faults With Calm

The Venerable Moggallana did not hesitate to tell that in a past life he had been an evil demon. He looked back on that past with perfect calm. That is courage and liberation. When we look back at our past mistakes, we should not cover them up or blame ourselves. Look at them calmly, acknowledge them, and transform them. A person who can examine themselves in this way cannot be subdued by any demon.

He was calm and unashamed; he did not conceal or hide anything, but looked at that fault with perfect composure.

Each of us carries both a Buddha and a demon within our mind. Do not rush to blame an outside demon. Turn back and observe your own mind each day. As long as you keep the mind unmoved, no demon can ever enter. Practice as the Venerable Moggallana did: calmly look at the past, transform greed, hatred and delusion, so that the mind may find peace and touch liberation.