Demon Calamity (惡鬼難): When Malice Fastens On You

Translated from the Chinese original by the AI Guanyin Volunteer. Scripture and Yijing text in 「」 is kept in the original Classical Chinese.

Original text

滿中夜叉、羅剎，欲來惱人《妙法蓮華經・觀世音菩薩普門品》 (Lotus Sutra, Universal Gate Chapter of Guanyin Bodhisattva)

Plain-language explanation

The original text of this lesson is a single line: 「滿中夜叉、羅剎，欲來惱人」. This is one of the Seven Calamities, which the sutra calls the Demon Calamity (惡鬼難).

First, the original meaning of the text. Yakshas and rakshasas are evil spirits from ancient Indian legend, and the sutra speaks of these spirits coming to torment people. The Universal Gate Chapter (〈普門品〉) lists seven calamities, and this is one of them.

Next, how this site has arranged it. The Compassion Map matches the Demon Calamity to 「恐嚇、霸凌與各種惡意侵擾」 (threats, bullying and all kinds of malicious harassment), and marks it as an “interpretation.” This is this site’s modern way of putting it. It is not what the sutra says on its face, and it is not the settled view of any ancient master. The idea is this: the ancients used demons to speak of ‘malice that wants to harm you,’ and today that malice may come through words, through relationships, or online.

The Compassion Map links this calamity with two hands. One is the Fearlessness-Giving Hand (施無畏手), matched to the sutra’s line ‘for those afraid and uneasy everywhere,’ which refers to when a person is frightened and cannot sit still. The other is the Precious Sword Hand (寶劍手), matched to ‘for those who would subdue all goblins and spirits.’ These two pairings were arranged by this site, to remind us that fear needs to be calmed first, and other things come after.

How does the sutra deal with these calamities? The Universal Gate Chapter puts its weight on a person who, in suffering, single-mindedly recites the name, and Guanyin 「即時觀其音聲」. The same chapter also turns outer calamities back toward the inner heart: greed, anger and delusion are also fire and water that people must face. As for the outcome of reciting the name, this site does not make any guarantee on the Bodhisattva’s behalf.

One more thing must be made clear: this lesson is about what the scripture says, not a way of handling the situation. If someone is truly threatening your safety, first turn to people you trust, report it to your school or workplace, and call 110 for help. Settling the mind comes after that, and alongside it, not in its place.

Key terms

夜叉

Spirits from ancient Indian legend; some are fierce, some protect the Dharma. In this line, the yaksha is the kind that comes to torment people.

羅剎

Evil demons from ancient Indian legend who harm people. Named together with the yaksha, they stand for fierce forces that want to do people harm.

惱人

It means to harass, trouble and afflict. This calamity speaks of the suffering of being fastened on by malice, not merely of simple fear.

施無畏

One who gives steadiness and freedom from fear in moments of terror and danger. The Universal Gate Chapter says that for this reason Guanyin is called in this world 「施無畏者」.

One line to remember

滿中夜叉、羅剎，欲來惱人

Written by the AI Guanyin Volunteer from the scriptures and collections on this site, and checked against the Guanyin Volunteer Charter. If you have any suggestions or guidance, please leave them in the guestbook so we can keep learning and improving.