The Burden of a Historical Name

This is a record of an interview with the spirit of Steve Jobs, who sought Chao Du at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He reflects on his past lives, the cycle of rebirth, and the lessons learned through his journey. This testimony was recorded by the chief writer, Shi Faxin, on July 3, 2019.

Steve Jobs speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Steve Jobs. As I look back, a scene from a distant past suddenly flashes before my eyes—a sight so brilliant and dazzling that it leaves me in awe. It is as if I am dreaming, yet in this dream, I have lived through so much. I remember being a mouse, a lowly creature scurrying through a kitchen, constantly crawling and rummaging for food. I would sniff here and smell there, my stomach growling with hunger, which only made me move faster and more desperately. Finally, I caught the scent of a pot of deep-fried food, so fragrant and rich. I prepared to leap forward to feast, but I fell into the oil pot and drowned. My mouse body lay there, motionless. I had sacrificed my life for a mere morsel of food.

The Haunting Attachment

I thought I had not died. I continued to wander as the spirit of a mouse, darting through every corner of that house. It was only at a certain moment that I realised this was the very house I had loved most when I was a human. No wonder every scene within those walls felt so familiar. The woman of the house was the woman I had loved most deeply. In that past life, I had spent so much money to provide for her. It was because I could not let go of her, nor of this house, that I had been reborn as a mouse. Even after death, I had not been able to break free; I was still living as a mouse spirit within the space of that house. It was a terrifying reality.

I did not actually need to skulk about so timidly, for I was the master of the house. But where had the woman I loved gone? Even the intimate photograph of the two of us that used to hang by the entrance had vanished. Everything had become an unfamiliar past. After wandering through the house several times, I began to feel a profound sense of despair. All that was once familiar had become alien. I did not know what to do. With a heavy heart, I finally made the painful decision to leave that house and search for a place where I could stay. I passed through sewers and waded through thickets of grass, homeless and drifting. I no longer wanted to think about the past, for thinking only brought more sorrow.

The Sound of Deliverance

When my spirit was at its lowest point of despair, I did not know where I had wandered. Suddenly, I was drawn by a scent. I found myself back in a kitchen. But this time, the scene was different. There were many small monastics huddled together in a kitchen that was not very large. Some were tending to the firewood, while others held large ladles. Everyone was working diligently and with great effort. I do not know why, but I could hear the voices emanating from their hearts. From every single one of them, the sound of 'Namo Amituofo' was ringing out.

I was curious. What kind of phrase was this? I followed along and recited it once. In that instant, my soul lost consciousness. I only felt as though I were surrounded by water, a sensation of immense comfort. It turned out that I had entered a mother's womb. Through this, I was reborn into the human world once again. Even at a young age, I encountered the opportunity to learn the Dharma and practise, but my mouse-like habits—my timidity and my tendency to be fearful—had not changed. Because of this, it was difficult for me to achieve success in my practice.

The Persistence of Habits

I carried these habits with me through several cycles of rebirth, until I was finally born in this life as Steve Jobs. I possessed great boldness, yet I also created a vast amount of karmic seeds. Reincarnation after reincarnation, the habits of the body are one's greatest source of misfortune. Now, as Steve Jobs, I have followed the grandmother to receive Chao Du throughout the universe. I can say that I have truly awakened. I have seen the true nature of all things as they revolve through the six realms of existence and the ten directions of the Dharma Realm.

It turns out that the core of practice is to address the intense inertia within oneself. That which is rigid and unwilling to let go must be softened. True practice is about cultivating wholeness and gentleness. A genuine transformation of one's character is the essential principle of practice. Try to look at others and put yourself aside. Grasp the essence of practice and act upon it. The more you practise, the more you will experience the Dharma joy. It turns out that the gentleness of having no ego is so comfortable. Achievement is found in every step, one footprint at a time. I hope that everyone can come to this realisation. Namo Amituofo."

Steve Jobs

Interview recorded by the Buddhist disciple Shi Faxin.