How to Reduce Demonic Obstacles

Question: Having transcended the bondage of the physical body in meditative concentration, contemplating the illusory nature of all phenomena, renouncing both emptiness and consciousness, detaching from inner and outer realms, and focusing on the sphere of nothingness—where the mind is empty and without reliance, all thoughts cease, and one abides in profound tranquility and stillness—this is the classic "base of nothingness" within the four formless absorptions, the seventh level of meditative attainment! How profound! Has anyone attained such a holy state?

Answer: This is purely a state within the four dhyānas and eight samādhis; it is not a sage's realm because it does not involve the wisdom of liberation. It lacks the wisdom to sever the view of self and the wisdom to realize the true nature of mind. Such pure meditative states remain outside the Buddhist path and are thus called non-Buddhist meditative attainments. During the Buddha's time, many non-Buddhist practitioners attained such concentration, and deep meditative states were not uncommon then. Nowadays, non-Buddhists can no longer achieve deeper meditative absorptions, which is why this is called the Dharma-ending Age. In this age, even non-Buddhists lack proficiency; how then can the Buddhadharma flourish? The Buddha descended in India two thousand years ago precisely because sentient beings' virtuous roots had matured. Many sought liberation but did not know how to attain it, mistakenly believing that meditative concentration alone could liberate them from the suffering of birth and death. Thus, they diligently practiced concentration, striving intensely, and became non-Buddhists outside the Dharma. Out of compassion for sentient beings, the Buddha descended into the world, showering nectar to alleviate their suffering.

If someone today attained the four formless absorptions and manifested supernatural powers, sentient beings who learned of it would worship them fanatically. If such a person harbored ulterior motives—seeking to dominate Buddhism, introducing deviations, and ensnaring sentient beings—ordinary people would be utterly unable to resist or counter them. They wouldn't even be able to see through the deception, let alone possess the ability to refute it. If such a demon were to disrupt the Dharma in later times, only a bodhisattva possessing the four dhyānas, eight samādhis, and great supernatural powers could subdue them, thereby protecting sentient beings from falling into demonic paths. The Buddha stated in the sutras that only great bodhisattvas who have attained the bhūmis can refute all non-Buddhist paths. Eighth-bhūmi bodhisattvas can refute all non-Buddhist paths, while those from the first to the seventh bhūmi can only refute some. Ordinary beings can only pay homage to non-Buddhists and demons, lacking the wisdom to see through them. Therefore, refuting falsehood and revealing truth is not something ordinary people can accomplish. The general populace lacks the capacity to refute falsehood and reveal truth; merely avoiding becoming accomplices is already commendable. Sentient beings can only strive to broaden their understanding, increase their discernment, reduce emotional reactivity, and diminish mindless adoration. By doing so, they offer less opportunity to demons and reduce their own suffering caused by demonic influences.