We must not ignore the following words of the Buddha: “No Māra deeds will be there, and though there are Māra and Māra’s people, they all will protect the Buddha-law.” Māra, or “devil,” includes all creatures that obstruct the righteous way. “Māra’s people” means the followers of the devil. They have such great powers that they may appear in succession before those who endeavor to realize the righteous way, lead them into temptation, and confuse them. These devilish people conspire to obstruct and intimidate those who try to practice the righteous way. They may be likened to a gang of hooligans or racketeers. The power of evil-minded speech and writing is a still greater devil.

A devil and its followers appeared before Sakyamuni Buddha when he was deep in meditation shortly before his enlightenment and tried to throw various obstacles in his way. If he had been an ordinary man, he would have yielded immediately. However, he was able to withstand the temptations, obstructions, and threats by which the devils tested him, and then his enlightenment became unshakable. Judging from the results Sakyamuni Buddha achieved, these devils’ hindrances can even be said to have spurred his enlightenment.