How to Read “外面如菩薩内心如夜叉”
Gaimen nyo bosatsu naishin nyo yasha
Meaning of “外面如菩薩内心如夜叉”
This proverb expresses the duality of people who appear gentle and calm on the outside but harbor evil thoughts in their hearts.
It refers to a state where someone superficially shows a compassionate, kind, and gentle attitude like a bodhisattva, while inwardly harboring terrifying and evil thoughts like a yaksha. This goes beyond simply meaning “appearance differs from substance” and expresses a more serious human cunning where someone intentionally wears a mask of goodness to deceive others.
This proverb is used in situations warning against being fooled by superficial kindness or gentleness, or when criticizing people who possess such duality. It’s particularly used for calculating people who try to exploit others, or those who plot evil deeds behind the scenes while pretending to be good people in public. Even today, there are various situations where this expression applies, such as people who act like good people on social media while having a different personality in reality, or those who are obedient in front of their boss at work but constantly criticize behind their back.
Origin and Etymology
This proverb is an expression born from Buddhist teachings. It expresses human duality by contrasting “bodhisattva” and “yaksha,” beings that appear in the Buddhist worldview.
Bodhisattvas are depicted as compassionate beings who save people, represented with gentle and beautiful forms. On the other hand, yaksha are terrifying demons considered to be frightening beings that devour people. This proverb was formed by using these two polar opposite beings to powerfully express the difference between outward appearance and inner nature.
As Buddhism was introduced to Japan and spread among common people, many metaphorical expressions using Buddhist terminology were born. This proverb is one of them, and it’s believed to have become widely used particularly from around the Edo period.
What’s interesting is that this expression is not merely an insult, but expresses the fundamental complexity of human nature. It’s a proverb that tells of the depth of Japanese psychological insight, skillfully expressing the duality of “public face” and “private heart” that everyone possesses, borrowing from the Buddhist worldview. It can be said to be a product of cultural fusion where Buddhist thought melted into everyday language.
Usage Examples
- That person is “Outside appearance like Buddha inside heart like demon” – they show a smile on the surface, but you never know what they’re really thinking
- Don’t be fooled by her kind words – she’s truly “Outside appearance like Buddha inside heart like demon”
Modern Interpretation
In modern society, the “duality” shown by this proverb has become more complex and multi-layered. With the spread of social media, it has become possible to play completely different personalities online and offline, making “Outside appearance like Buddha inside heart like demon” behavior more sophisticated.
Particularly, cases where influencers and celebrities publicly promote charitable activities and social contributions while secretly engaging in tax evasion or fraudulent activities frequently become problems. Also in corporations, the phenomenon called “greenwashing” is pointed out, where companies superficially advocate environmental protection and social contribution while actually acting with profit as their priority.
On the other hand, in modern times, the value that using “true feelings and public stance” separately is not necessarily a bad thing has also emerged. There are situations where taking attitudes different from one’s inner feelings is evaluated as a social skill – to maintain smooth human relationships at work or as consideration to avoid hurting others.
However, in the information society, secrets are more likely to be discovered, and in the long term, there’s a tendency to value honesty. In modern times where transparency is demanded, this proverb may have new meaning as a warning about “behavioral patterns that have limits for sustainable human relationships.”
When AI Hears This
**The Birth of Digital Bodhisattvas**
Modern social media users are essentially playing “digital bodhisattvas.” Those perfect breakfast photos on Instagram, glowing career updates on LinkedIn, happy family pictures on Facebook—these are all tools for crafting an idealized self that appears as compassionate and enlightened as a benevolent bodhisattva.
But behind the screen lurks a different reality: the dozens of retakes before posting, hearts filled with envy at others’ success, and an “inner demon” starving for validation. According to research by psychologist Sherry Turkle, approximately 70% of social media users admit that “their online self appears better than they actually are.”
What’s particularly fascinating is the new form of suffering created by this “curated self.” The pressure to maintain the perfect facade we’ve constructed actually feeds and enlarges our inner demons. We ride emotional roller coasters based on like counts and spiral into depression comparing ourselves to others’ posts—creating an unprecedented gap between our beautiful exterior and ugly interior.
The human duality that this proverb exposed centuries ago has become visible on an unprecedented scale in the digital age. On the stage of social media, we might all be demons wearing bodhisattva masks.
Lessons for Today
This proverb teaches us living in modern times about “the value of true human relationships.” It shows the importance of cultivating the insight to see through to a person’s essence without being misled by superficial kindness or gentleness.
At the same time, it gives us an opportunity to reflect on ourselves. Aren’t we unknowingly wearing convenient masks? By facing our true selves and striving to live honestly without pretense, we can build deeper trust relationships.
In modern society, we tend to emphasize short-term benefits and impressions, but from a long-term perspective, consistent honesty becomes the most valuable asset. This proverb is an important teaching that reminds us of such obvious but easily forgotten truths. Why don’t we take another look at the beauty of interacting with people with a sincere heart?
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