Commentary on the Sutra of the Father-Son Compilation (Part 66)

The Methods of the Demon King

When an individual attains the state immediately preceding the first dhyana, just as they are about to enter the initial dhyana, the Demon King employs various means to obstruct them. He targets the weakest point within each person’s mind, exploiting that vulnerability to ignite the flames of greed. Once desire arises, their meditative concentration vanishes, and they fall prey to the Demon King’s grasp. If, however, their concentration remains unbroken and the Demon King fails to disrupt it, they will, upon death, ascend to the realm of form, a plane higher than the Demon King’s domain, thereby escaping his control and jurisdiction.

What exists in the realm of desire? Within this realm lie all manner of cravings: wealth, lust, fame, food, and sleep, with sexual desire being paramount. If one transcends and eradicates this desire, the demon palaces tremble. Should a practitioner lack firm resolve or sufficient merit, they become easily disturbed, and their meditative state dissipates. This outcome is precisely what the Demon King desires, for he strives relentlessly to bind sentient beings to the attachments of this world, ensuring his subjects never diminish in number. The Demon King seeks always to expand his dominion, thus devising methods to control his subjects, fostering greed within them so they remain ensnared in his grasp.

Thus, the Buddha taught that the arising of attachment and delight is the realm of demons. All beings in our world reside under the Demon King’s control and are also subject to the governance of Sakra Devanam Indra, who dwells in the Trayastrimsa Heaven of the desire realm. When humans in the desire realm cultivate virtue, Sakra is overjoyed, for virtuous individuals will, upon death, ascend to the heavens of the desire realm, thereby increasing his subjects. Therefore, on the first and fifteenth days of each lunar month, he dispatches celestial guardians to patrol the human realm, observing whether more beings practice virtuous or unvirtuous deeds. If virtuous actions prevail, Sakra rejoices; if unvirtuous deeds dominate, he grieves. Aware of this, humans make offerings to the Buddha, observe fasting, abstain from meat, and perform good deeds on these days, striving to accumulate merit so they may ascend to the heavens after death and enjoy bliss. At times, the actions of worldly beings are not without reason.