The African Boy and the Compassion of Namo Amituofo

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 Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects upon his observations of the suffering of sentient beings and the transformative power of Namo Amituofo. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Faxin, on September 14, 2017.

Steve Jobs speaks:

"Whoosh! The speed at which we travel cannot be measured in light-years. You can only imagine how incredibly fast it is—it is almost as instantaneous as the arising of a single thought. Yesterday, I looked into the hells. Actually, to say I 'looked' is an understatement; I could barely bring myself to open my eyes fully. Every time I go to the hells to perform Chao Du, I keep my eyes slightly squinted. I discovered yesterday that I am quite timid, and because Practitioner Su has taught us not to let negative things enter our consciousness, I chose not to look too closely, keeping my own heart cool and clear.

Today, I chose to observe an anthill. This particular anthill was located in Africa. Practitioner Su’s compassion, of course, is not limited to saving beings only in Australia. From the anthill emerged one black figure after another—all of them thin, gaunt, and frail. Life in Africa has never been easy. I saw a young boy, not very old, with a distended belly. I felt a strong connection to him, so I stepped forward to help him up and asked him why he had become an ant. He looked at me with a puzzled expression, as if to say, 'Am I an ant?' I realized he probably did not even know his own state, so I asked him about his life."

The Burden of a Young Life

"He told me that life was unbearable. The village where he lived suffered from a severe lack of water; the earth was cracked and parched. They usually ate roots and tubers, but to find food, he had to walk to a neighboring village where there was more water and crops could be grown. The boy was about fifteen years old. He had to carry a bamboo basket he had woven himself to that village to buy food. He made this trip every three days. He had to set out early in the morning, and even though it was only the next village, there was no transportation—he had to walk the entire way. By the time he bought the food and returned, it was already afternoon.

The bamboo basket was not very large, and the food he bought was limited because they did not have much money. Yet, for a young boy, the burden on his shoulders was incredibly heavy. Many people who saw him would come over to offer words of comfort. The little boy said he never felt the weight was too much. As long as his family could have a proper meal, he did not consider it hard work at all. There were originally five siblings in his family, but due to the lack of food and medical care, some starved to death, and others succumbed to illness. He considered himself lucky to have survived, even with his distended belly—which some said was caused by parasites due to the poor sanitation and unclean water, a fate shared by many in his village."

The Final Sacrifice and Transformation

"There had been foreign aid workers who came to help treat the sick and tried to teach the villagers how to farm or improve their environment, but the results were minimal because resources were so scarce—or rather, almost non-existent. At that time, they also taught the children how to read. The boy said he learned a few characters and was very happy during that time, but he soon forgot that feeling because the reality of daily life took over. The most pressing reality was that they could not even get enough to eat for three meals a day. Let alone three meals, if he could just have one full meal a day, he would feel satisfied for the entire day.

The boy said that when he was nearly seventeen, an infectious disease swept through the entire village. Many could not withstand it. Because he was always out walking, he became infected. He knew he was sick and was terrified that if he went home, he would pass the illness to his family. So, he chose to hide in a cave by himself. He asked someone to tell his family that life was too hard and he was leaving home to find work. Just like that, the boy never returned home. He spent his remaining days in that cave, yet his heart was always filled with worry. He wondered if, now that he was gone, there would be anyone left to help carry food back home. He hoped his younger brother could take his place. With these thoughts, his consciousness gradually blurred, and his life faded away. It turned out that he became an ant simply because he wished he could still help his family carry food home.

Hearing this, I, Steve Jobs, wept. I knew that life was full of suffering, but I had never imagined it could be this painful. I patted the boy on the shoulder and blessed him to move toward the light. In the Western Pure Land, one is supposed to be free of emotions, but I felt deeply moved. Since I could not help him directly, I tried to help the boy visualize his village: the earth was filled with water, the fields were lush and green, and there was not only root vegetables but also corn, white rice, and fruit. Although I do not know if the African climate is suitable for all these crops, it was a gesture of my heart. I also visualized everyone being healthy and happy. After this visualization, I felt much better, and the atmosphere was no longer so sorrowful. To restore the balance in my heart, I began to chant 'Namo Amituofo' with Practitioner Su, showing a shy smile and greeting all the beings I saw. Those with good roots would reply to me with 'Namo Amituofo.' It is truly miraculous: when they chant 'Namo Amituofo' themselves, their original bodies are transformed into human forms. I have seen many small flowers, blades of grass, and insects undergo this change. This is sufficient proof that this Buddha-name is truly magnificent."

The Global Mission of Salvation

"Many Bodhisattvas from across the universe are invited to the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia every morning. Chang Ren is always busy greeting them, as they are all 'big brothers' from various regions. In the past, they were all focused on control, but now they are discussing how to promote Goodness. This is a chance Practitioner Su has given everyone to make amends. They are all leaders in their own right, each with their own domain, and their faces show a sense of loyalty and a straightforward personality. They give Chang Ren plenty of face and support everything. They then head off in all directions—up, down, and to other realms—to do good deeds, which is to lead people toward Goodness. I don't quite understand what 'other realms' means, but I assume they are the more difficult places. I thought this to myself and didn't specifically ask Chang Ren. Thus, demons are no longer demons; they have all become Buddhas. I saw them each project themselves to their respective locations to begin the great work of saving the world. I can feel that in the future world, there will be no more bad people; only peace will exist.

Practitioner Su also goes to perform Chao Du in swamps, magma, under glaciers, on cliffs, in deep valleys, and on the ocean floor, where many Bodhisattvas of the Demon Realm are suffering their karmic retribution. I know this is Practitioner Su’s compassion—using love to transform those whom others see as 'bad kids.' This is just like the great compassion of Namo Amituofo, always giving lost children a chance to turn back. Just like me, Steve Jobs—I was once a lost child, filled with arrogance and the habit of thinking I was clever. But the Buddha never held it against me and still gladly accepted this returning child. This is how the Buddha acts, and this is how Practitioner Su acts. People think the Demon Realm is so terrifying, but it is not. They are just children under the protection of Amitabha who made mistakes. As long as the Buddha compassionately forgives and accepts them, they will become obedient, well-behaved children again."

A Future of Infinite Peace

"The earth is showered with sweet dew, and every molecule becomes gentle and kind. The birds sing, the flowers bloom, and everyone is in their proper place, performing their duties. The future universe will be just as beautiful as this. Today, Westerners in the worldly realm are joining together to build the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. The future temple will lead humans, spirits, and all sentient and insentient beings from all corners of the world to achieve the same wisdom. Its scale will extend throughout the vastness of the Dharma Realm, and its ultimate goal is to lead immeasurable and boundless beings to the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss—the place where I, Steve Jobs, now reside. 'No illness, no death' is the main slogan today, and it is truly being achieved, without a shred of hypocrisy or self-interest.

If one were to observe this from a businessman's perspective, it is possible, but it would be a pity. From a business standpoint, even spending one's entire family fortune would not be enough to guarantee no illness and no death, let alone the fact that here, you do not need to spend a single cent. You only need to obtain a compassionate Buddha-heart and chant 'Namo Amituofo.' For every person in this world who chants it, there is one more possibility of becoming a Buddha. I hope everyone will promote this Buddha-name. The inconceivability of it is beyond words.

I also advise everyone to think well and do well; otherwise, how do you know if one day you might end up with the same fate as that boy—an ant in Africa? 'Namo Amituofo' is now being spread throughout the entire universe. There is no evil thing that can remain. Practitioner Su’s vow is being realized in full force. I am grateful that Namo Amituofo compassionately abides in this world."

Steve Jobs, personally recounted.

Namo Amituofo.