大乘起信論義記 3.450

3.450

Among the obstacles, “demons” are heavenly demons (deva-māras), which translates as “hindrances.” “Ghosts” are graveyard ghosts. “Spirits” are seductive nature spirits (*jingmei*). Such ghosts and spirits disturb the Buddha’s Dharma and cause people to enter deviant paths, hence they are called “external paths.” These three kinds can transform into three varieties of the five dust-objects to ruin a person's wholesome mind. “While sitting, these may manifest forms to terrify them” means displaying frightening bodies to scare them into losing their resolve. “Or handsome and beautiful male and female [forms]” means manifesting alluring forms to seduce them into generating defiled attachment. “And so forth” means manifesting the five dust-objects that are neither disagreeable nor agreeable, but neutral, disturbing people’s minds.