首楞嚴義疏注經 6.331

6.331

3. Discerning and leaving behind the actions of demonic karma. Although the cultivation and realization of perfect penetration was broadly explained above, ordinary beings who begin to learn it face particularly deep obstacles and difficulties, not to mention that in the final age heterodox sects arise in proliferation and contention, false words delude the correct, and demonic rhetoric approximates the truth; unauthorized presentations being plentiful, those who flock together are numerous. If one does not scrutinize and distinguish them, correct practice will be obstructed; therefore, testing them by means of precepts, concentration, and wisdom, their demonic origin naturally reveals itself. Hence, the ninety-six kinds of heterodox paths can all practice dhyāna, yet they lack the virtue of the precepts. The *Nirvāṇa Sūtra* says: "Demons can even transform their bodies into Buddhas; how could they not become bodhisattvas of the four reliances to bewilder the world? Therefore the Buddha broadly explained: If someone says that keeping the eight impure things is permitted, this is spoken by demons." When keeping things outside the body is not permitted, how much less so the fundamental greed and anger of sexual misconduct, stealing, killing, and lying? There are foolish people in the world who are deluded by demons, defaming the Vinaya as Hinayāna and styling themselves as Mahāyāna of unhindered ease; later in the sūtra this is extensively refuted. All of these are demonic karma, which is why the Buddha gave a grave admonition; this is called the definitive, luminous teaching of the Great Vehicle. Ānanda, through his great expedient power, pitied us who in the future will surely fall into demonic perils; therefore he earnestly requested it to serve as a lasting and true admonition.