[G] What Will Happen To The Demonic In The Dharma-Ending Age? 末法之魔将受什么报应？ The Daily Enlightenment Buddhist Inspirations (since 1997)

末世法灭之时，
特驻此经，百年在世，
接引众生，往生彼国。

– 释迦牟尼佛
《无量寿经》

When it is the last period of the Dharma-Ending Age [which is this era], I will specially retain this sūtra, for one hundred [more] years in this world, to receive and guide sentient beings, for rebirth in that [Pure] Land [of Āmítuófó].

– Śākyamuni Buddha
(Immeasurable Life Sūtra)

According to the Sūtra In Which The Buddha Speaks Of The Dharma’s Complete End《佛说法灭尽经》, Śākyamuni Buddha (释迦牟尼佛) taught that the following will be experienced by demonic ‘monastics’ in this Dharma-Ending Age (末法时期).

「众魔比丘命终之后，精神当堕无择地狱，五逆罪中。饿鬼畜生靡不经历恒河沙劫。罪竟乃出生在边国无三宝处。」‘After these many demonic “Bhikṣus”‘ lives end, their consciousnesses will fall into uninterrupted hells, for those with the Five Heinous Transgressions within. Also as hungry ghosts and animals after, with none not experiencing as so for Ganges rivers’ sands’ number of kalpas. When their transgressions are completely [exhausted] then exiting, to be born at border lands, where they are without the Triple Gem.’

Note [1]: The Five Heinous Transgressions (五逆罪) are killing of Father (杀父), Mother (杀母), Arhat (杀阿罗汉), causing a Buddha to bleed (出佛身血) and breaking up of the Saṃgha (破和合僧). Note [2]: Of the Five Heinous Transgressions, these ‘monastics’ have created the breaking up of the Saṃgha by sowing discord. Serious slander of the Dharma (谤法) can also lead to the deepest hell.

Note [3]: Due to the gravity of the negative karma created, there is a slow ‘crawl’ up from the lowest hell, and to the realm of hungry ghosts and animals, eventually attaining the lowliest human rebirth, probably in a ‘Dharma-Ended Age’ (无法时期) or the equivalent, missing the Triple Gem (三宝), of the Buddhas (佛), Dharma (法) and Saṃgha (僧). The Triple Gem is instead always available in Pure Land, where one will become part of it too. Note [4]: With repentance (忏悔), as taught by the Buddha in the Contemplation Sūtra《观经》, even those who had created the Five Heinous Transgressions can reach Amitābha Buddha’s (阿弥陀佛) Pure Land (净土) if they practise mindfulness of his name sincerely.

末法亿亿人修行，
罕一得道；
唯依念佛，
得度生死。

– 释迦牟尼佛
《大方等大集经》

In the Dharma-Ending Age [which is this era], when 100 million of 100 million people practise the Dharma, it is rare that one will attain the path; Only relying upon mindfulness of Buddha, is there attainment of deliverance from the cycle of birth and death.

– Śākyamuni Buddha
(Mahāvaipulya Mahāsannipāta Sūtra)