Salvation in the Invisible

This is a record of an interview with Steve Jobs, who sought Chao Du at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Pure Land. This account reflects upon the vast, invisible reach of Buddha-light. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Faxin, on July 27, 2019.

Steve Jobs speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Steve Jobs. You might know me from my life in the human world, but here, in the vast expanse of the Dharma Realm, I see things with a clarity that was impossible before. Let me tell you, the reach of Namo Amituofo is beyond anything you can imagine. It is a salvation that works in the invisible, touching souls that have been lost for aeons.

The Transformation of the Small

I saw them moving through the dense jungle. They were tiny, insignificant insects, yet suddenly, they were transformed. They did not just fall away; they expanded from within their small bodies, returning to the various human forms they once held—men, women, the young, the old, people from every industry imaginable. It was as if they had been granted a second life. They were bewildered, wondering what kind of immense power could cause such a rebirth for these tiny, dying creatures. Think about it—the power of the Buddha is not limited by the size of the vessel.

Echoes of the Yuan Dynasty

I looked back through time to the Yuan Dynasty. I saw the ancient temples, the monks performing their morning service, the diligent practice that has remained unchanged for centuries. It was a sanctuary, a place where the weary came to find peace. It seemed as though all hope was invested in these sacred grounds. But even then, the world was in turmoil. The temples were eventually destroyed, and the monks were forced to return to lay life or forbidden from gathering followers. Many of those monks did not want to remember the pain; their memories remained frozen in that quiet, sacred space of their past practice.

The Sorrow of the Battlefield

Then, the scene shifted to the battlefield. The fog was thick, the drums of war were beating, and smoke rose from every direction. The sound of horses galloping, the clash of steel, the sight of soldiers lying on the ground, blood flowing like a river—it was pure chaos. The air was filled with the sounds of slaughter, the cries of the wounded, and the lonely, echoing voices of spirits. It was a heavy, sorrowful magnetic field that permeates the history of war in China. It is a tragedy that repeats itself in the cycle of samsara.

Life Beneath the Waves

I saw the depths of the ocean, teeming with life. Families of fish, in every colour and size imaginable—thousands of species swimming in a spectacular, orderly dance. The fish eggs were hidden safely among the floating coral. It was a world of its own, vibrant and alive, a testament to the diversity of life within the six realms of rebirth.

The Fire of the Demon Realm

And then, the volcanoes. Deep beneath the earth, the heat was brewing. The stones were colliding, burning, and glowing with an intense, suffocating heat. Every rock, every grain of sand, every layer of bedrock was like a searing flame. They were screaming, but no one could hear them. The demons, with their stubborn and wicked natures, were suffering the consequences of their actions right at the source of that volcanic heat. Their own tempers and personalities drove them, and their suffering was endless. It was absolutely terrifying!

The Reach of Buddha-light

Even within the mountains, every spirit—the birds, the rare beasts of the forest, even a single grain of soil or a blade of grass—was born of spirit. Then, the higher beings—the celestial beings, the heavenly soldiers and generals, and even the practitioners from beyond the outer void—they all had their own spaces, their own rewards or blessings. But then, the Buddha-light from the Chao Du performed by Practitioner Su filled every corner. The sound of the Dharma reached the entire Dharma Realm. Those who had the opportunity to hear it, those who understood, all made the vow to seek rebirth in the Western Pure Land.

A Final Salvation

They woke up only after being illuminated by that Buddha-light. The Western Pure Land appeared before their eyes, and the beautiful, melodious sound of 'Namo Amituofo' played continuously. The souls that were once hardened, wounded, or weak finally found salvation. Seeing the beauty before them, many spirits stopped their weeping. The compassionate voice of the Buddha warmed their hearts. Namo Amituofo transformed their indestructible, yet suffering, spirits into something beautiful. Everyone smiled, their hearts filled with infinite hope. Wherever the golden light reached, such scenes of goodness unfolded. Countless spirits were saved through the Chao Du and returned to the Western Pure Land. They knelt in gratitude—gratitude for the warmth, the salvation, and the endless life granted by the Western Pure Land. Gratitude to the Buddha, gratitude to Practitioner Su. The Buddha’s teachings are the true healing; they are the path to leaving suffering and gaining happiness. Seeing this day after day during the Chao Du, I am moved beyond words. Namo Amituofo."