Losing Bodhicitta and Cultivating All Virtuous Dharmas as Demonic Karma: How to Comprehend?

There are two kinds of bodhicitta. One is the innate, unborn and undying bodhicitta, which serves as the basis for all sentient beings and all wholesome dharmas. This refers to the self-natured fundamental mind, the eighth consciousness that is both conditioned and unconditioned. The other is the bodhicitta that arises from cultivating wholesome dharmas in the later stages, expressing the desire to liberate oneself and others. It is generated by the seventh consciousness relying on the bodhi-nature, characterized by arising and ceasing, gradually transitioning from the conditioned toward the unconditioned.

When sentient beings initially generate bodhicitta, it is often pure and genuine. However, during the prolonged process of spiritual cultivation, they may forget their original aspiration. Although they may still cultivate wholesome dharmas, their purpose becomes impure, mixed with personal thoughts and selfish desires, thereby contradicting the inherent bodhi and their initial resolve. These personal thoughts and desires manifest as goals directed toward individual benefit rather than being selflessly dedicated to Buddhism and sentient beings, placing personal gain above the welfare of the entire Buddhist community and all beings.

Thus, wholesome dharmas cultivated with such selfish motives for liberating sentient beings contain a demonic nature. For demonic kings and their followers possess intense greed and craving; they may not refrain from performing good deeds, yet their purpose in doing so is impure, aimed at personal benefit. Consequently, the outcome is often unwholesome, with the appearance of goodness concealing an essence of evil. Therefore, any wholesome karma pursued for the sake of individual or small-group interests constitutes demonic karma.