大乘起信論義記 3.453

3.453

All perceptual objects whatsoever are still only one’s own mind, not to mention these various perceptual objects seen while sitting; therefore, when one observes mind-only, the demonic objects vanish accordingly and cannot cause disturbance. Because this mind-only is not something they know, this is the universal method of casting them off. As for casting them off through specific methods: to remedy demons, one should recite the Mahāyāna Prajñā[pāramitā] and demon-quelling dhāraṇīs silently to oneself. Graveyard ghosts may crawl like insects and scorpions over a person’s head and face, drilling and pricking uncomfortably, or strike and tickle under a person’s armpits, suddenly hug the person, or make noisy voices and sounds of speech, or take the form of various beasts—such distinct manifestations are not solitary. When they come to afflict the practitioner, one should close the eyes, single-mindedly and silently scold them, saying: “I now recognize you! You are the *hiraṇyakeśī* in this Jambudvīpa who eats big fire and smells incense, a perverse view-holder fond of breaking precepts! I now maintain the precepts and will never fear you.” If one is a monastic, one should recite the Vinaya; if a layperson, one should recite the Bodhisattva Precepts; or if one recites the three refuges, five precepts, and so forth, the ghost will crawl backwards and flee on all fours. Seductive nature spirits refer to the animals of the twelve earthly branches, which can transform into various forms and colors, either appearing as young boys and girls, or taking the forms of old elders, or terrifying bodies and the like, disturbing practitioners in numerous ways. When they wish to afflict people, they each come at their corresponding hour: if they mostly come during the *yin* hour (3–5 a.m.), it is surely a tiger, leopard, or the like; if mostly during the *mao* hour (5–7 a.m.), it is surely a rabbit, deer, or the like; and up to, if mostly during the *chou* hour (1–3 a.m.), it is surely of the bovine class. By consistently observing this hour, the practitioner knows the animal nature spirit; upon calling out its name and reprimanding it, it will immediately disappear. These are all explained at length in meditation sūtras and in Dhyāna Master Zhiyi’s *Calm and Insight*. The above concludes the brief explanation.