Characteristics, differences, and countermeasures of demons and evil spirits: The true story of the spiritual world

Nov. 13, 2018（Last Update: June 13, 2026）

label Table of Contents

The true nature of evil spirits and demons
Demons have more influence, leadership, and wicked wisdom than evil spirits.
Hearts and situations easily influenced by evil spirits and demons
Hearts targeted by evil spirits and demons
Characteristics of people possessed by evil spirits
Typical habitats of evil spirits and demons
Characteristics of people who are likely to become demons after death
Things you can do to ward off evil spirits and demons
Related books
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The true nature of evil spirits and demons

As recorded in Buddhist scriptures and the Bible, the 'battle against demons' is not fiction; evil spirits and demons exist in reality.

In fact, both evil spirits and demons were originally human beings who, unable to attain enlightenment after death, wander the earth or have fallen into hell.

Even ordinary people can become evil spirits if they have a wicked heart or commit bad deeds. Even if one does not commit crimes, living with bad or dark thoughts can lead to becoming an evil spirit.

Those who think maliciously, are always in conflict, deceive others, are constantly angry, hurt others, or do bad things without remorse, are the ones who, having lived with destructive thoughts and emotions, cause trouble for others and suffer in hell after death.

This is the true nature of evil spirits.

Demons have more influence, leadership, and wicked wisdom than evil spirits.

Differences between evil spirits and demons

Among the spirits that have fallen into hell, those with particularly strong grudges are called evil spirits (あくれい・あくりょう), while those who cannot escape hell for a thousand or two thousand years and actively seek to make others unhappy are called demons (あくま).

Ordinary humans may fall into hell after death, but if they reflect and gain insight after a certain number of years, they can ascend to the heavenly realm and be reborn in the next opportunity.

However, if one goes to hell and remains there for a long time, such as a thousand or two thousand years, gradually becoming active only in the world of darkness, they eventually start to think, 'I cannot be liberated or free,' and begin to draw in others rather than seeking their own freedom.

Once one becomes a demon, they have been in hell for a considerable time, gaining more influence, leadership, and wicked wisdom than evil spirits.

Those who have been in hell for a long time and have taken on a leadership role gradually gather those who tend to be followers around them, and when they commit misdeeds, they have them assist, leading to the emergence of 'great demons' and 'medium demons', which are somewhat boss-like figures among demons.

And around them, there are many 'little demons', creating a structure where new evil spirits are present.

There are differences in power among demons.

In modern times, among media personnel and journalists, there are those with significant influence, but those who work not for the sake of the world or the realization of justice, but solely for their own desires, become little demons.

They may be small kings with only five or six subordinates, but many people become like this.

Even among novelists, those who write bad novels that brainwash many people or write misleading stories can become demons, even if they are famous authors.

Those who exert a significant influence in leading people towards ruin and degradation indeed possess the qualities to become demons.

Furthermore, among bureaucrats, those who live for power and lack compassion also become demons.

Religious leaders can influence many people, so leaders of heretical sects may become demons and rarely attain enlightenment.

They not only preach false teachings but also drive many people insane. Moreover, they not only cause madness in this world but also drag people into hell in the afterlife, establishing their stronghold with their followers.

When a person who should originally guide others from a position of influence gives people incorrect thoughts or influences, it hinders their spiritual training and is a deep sin.

Hearts and situations easily influenced by evil spirits and demons

In principle, one is prompted to reflect on their thoughts and actions during their lifetime while suffering in hell, but evil spirits and demons, rather than reflecting, seek to find a dwelling on earth to escape even a little from the suffering of hell.

When living humans have 'worries', 'anxieties', or evil thoughts such as 'hatred', 'anger', and 'jealousy', evil spirits can sniff this out, crawl up from hell, and possess them (Law of Resonance※).

When possessed (憑依), evil spirits and demons can experience the same feelings and experiences as that person, so they engage in activities to increase the number of people with hearts that connect to hell.

※ 'Law of Resonance': The spiritual world is a 'world that connects with similar heart wavelengths', and the possession by evil spirits is fundamentally based on this law. Therefore, to break the possession, it is necessary to change the heart's wavelength based on this law.

Hearts targeted by evil spirits and demons

Hearts that are easily targeted by evil spirits and demons are those that possess 'hearts close to evil spirits and demons'. It also includes hearts that have easily controllable 'fears'.

For example...

Anger, hatred, jealousy, envy, resentment, greed, attachment, complaints, dissatisfaction, deception, lying, irresponsibility, shifting blame, victim mentality, laziness, arrogance, unreflective hearts, self-preservation, self-deprecation, self-centeredness, doubt, materialistic thinking, hearts that rejoice in others' misfortunes, unnecessary worries, burdens carried over, etc., in simple terms, it is a heart that wants to 'steal love'.

When possessed by evil spirits, one's way of thinking becomes even more pessimistic, paranoid, or aggressive, and they become unable to listen to others' advice, leading to distorted judgment.

Characteristics of people possessed by evil spirits

When possessed by evil spirits, the following characteristics may emerge. You may have experienced at least once, haven't you?

□ Everything appears pessimistic, and everything looks bad.
□ Only harsh or bad words come out.
□ They have a scary face that seems to suit the 'horns' or 'fangs' of a demon.
□ They hear 'I want to die' or 'I'll kill you' as 'voices'.
□ Their body always feels heavy, and their neck and shoulders are abnormally tense.
□ What they say changes frequently.
□ They constantly deny gods, Buddhas, and faith.

Typical habitats of evil spirits and demons

Families causing disharmony

In cases where 'couples can only see each other's faults and fights constantly', 'children engage in delinquency', or 'conflicts between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law' exist, it is possible that evil spirits have entered to destroy the family.

Ethically incorrect relationships between men and women

When love leads both parties to corrupt or ruin each other, it becomes a 'hellish love'. In cases where gender troubles escalate into incidents or suicides, it is usually influenced by a presence at the level of little demons.

Schools where 'bullying' is rampant

In bullying, where the more aggressive and stronger become leaders and attack those weaker than themselves, it resembles the methods of the hell realm. Even children who are leaders of bullying groups, even if they are elementary school students, may be possessed by demons.

Crime scenes such as random attacks and mass murders

Extremely tragic random attack incidents and mass murders are often influenced by demons. If one prefers only brutal novels or movies, they may connect with hell and be invaded by demons.

Places where suicides continue to occur

Spirits of those who have committed suicide remain at the scene without attaining enlightenment, and when someone in the midst of their troubles passes nearby, they may possess them and lead them to suicide. 'Suicide hotspots' are dangerous as many such spirits linger there.

Media that spreads incorrect values

Demons infiltrate places with significant influence. The media is one of them. Journalists and commentators who work not for the sake of the world or justice, but solely for their own desires, are more susceptible to being possessed by demons.

Characteristics of people who are likely to become demons after death

People who held social status and power during their lifetime but harbored 'evil thoughts' in their hearts are likely to become demons and use their subordinates to commit evil deeds on earth in order to increase their 'hellish companions.'

The source of demons is, after all, those in leadership positions.

For example, misguided politicians and dictators are very likely to become demons.

Pol Pot, who killed two million Cambodians and turned them into skeletons, is undoubtedly a demon.

Hitler and Stalin are similar, but those who committed murder as politicians have become demons. Those who genuinely enjoyed cruel and brutal acts, or whose goal was to realize their power and dominate people through fear, are likely to become demons.

Furthermore, even if they are not political or military figures, those who have misled many people or brainwashed them ideologically to madness can become demons. Among those who had significant influence, those who ultimately left behind great evil are likely to become demons.

Things you can do to ward off evil spirits and demons

1. Establish good lifestyle habits

Poor lifestyle choices such as lack of exercise, nutritional deficiencies, smoking, excessive drinking, and lack of sleep can lead to possession by evil spirits. Physical training also strengthens willpower, and without physical strength, one's way of thinking can become pessimistic. It is important to improve lifestyle habits and maintain physical condition through regular exercise.

2. Improve work abilities

When faced with problems at work or troubles at home that cannot be solved due to lack of ability, evil spirits may enter amidst the confusion. Reflect on whether you are exceeding your limits or overly magnifying the problem, and while honing your work abilities, calmly organize your worries by breaking down unsolvable issues or asking for cooperation from those around you.

3. Intellectual brush-up

If you lack social common sense or intelligence, you may fall prey to the temptations of evil spirits. It is advisable to distance yourself from the flood of misinformation on the internet and read books on languages, subjects of interest, or correct spiritual knowledge such as Buddhist truths, dedicating at least 30 minutes a day to sharpening your intellect. Training your mind and developing a habit of effort will help protect you from evil spirits.

4. Reflection and gratitude

The most important thing to ward off evil spirits and demons is the training of the heart. By deeply 'reflecting' on past sins and 'evil thoughts' held, you can spiritually erase them. Another important aspect is to hold feelings of 'gratitude' towards those around you and express it through actions. By deepening 'reflection' and 'gratitude,' the evil spirits that have possessed you can be peeled away, and you can experience the sensation of warm divine light shining into your heart.