The Confession of a Biological Weapon

This is a record of an interview with the spirit of a biological weapon strain known as Selkes, who sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Dharma-Nature Land. This account reflects upon his past life as a researcher and his subsequent transformation into a pathogen. Recorded by the chief writer, Disciple Shi Hailiang, on March 19, 2020.

Selkes speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Selkes. We are so incredibly minute that we can only be clearly seen under a microscope. Human scientists, weapons experts, and medical professionals are often terrified to even attempt to uncover our true nature. We are ever-changing and notoriously difficult to control. Those who study us must pay a heavy price, sometimes even losing their own lives. We possess a destructive power that poses a grave risk to all life, yet my own toxicity is exceptionally potent."

The Price of Human Ambition

"Biochemists have developed gas masks and hazmat suits to protect themselves from us, because even the researchers are afraid of death. Medical experts understand these advanced biological weapons all too well; it is only through repeated, harrowing experiments that these agents can truly be weaponised to annihilate enemy forces. These bacteria must be kept under strict human control to prevent accidental outbreaks. Just as one would develop an antidote for a toxic drug, a complete biological weapons programme requires a sacrificial group of test subjects. This is the dark reality of such research."

"I found my way to this Centre because the space was filled with the immense energy of human fear. The entire Earth seems to be orbited by this force, and the energy of fear is only trending stronger. Yet, the innate goodness that humanity possesses is also rising. These two forces are pulling against each other in the universe, like an arch bridge waiting for someone to take hold of the other side. Looking back at the victims of the first biological weapons, their spirits still drift in the void. Even the leaders of various nations were shocked when they heard the reports; such treatment of humanity is truly cruel and deeply improper."

The Inhumanity of Biological Warfare

"The primary danger is inhaling this toxicity from the air. It enters directly through the nervous system, causing paralysis, weakness in the limbs, collapse, and eventually, death. This is the most violent aspect of biological weapons. Before such an attack, someone must wear a gas mask and a dust-proof hazmat suit to spray the population with chemicals, or perhaps drop them from aircraft. This is what humans call an inhumane act, and it is exactly what we wish to express: the reality of humans slaughtering one another. Although we are strains of biological weapons, we are, in truth, also human victims. When the victims of these weapons begin to fester, the bacteria attached to their bodies spread and even mutate. This unique characteristic gives researchers endless headaches. Any zone of biological warfare must remain uninhabited after the conflict, otherwise, the survivors will also become victims, as the ever-changing nature of these bacteria is impossible to control."

From Researcher to Pathogen

"I am an original spreading strain, also known as a selected bacterial cell. These researchers observed me for nearly ten years, administering different reagents to watch how I changed. They would then take the cells I divided into and inject them into guinea pigs to observe the physical changes, calculating exactly what dosage was required to kill the animal. To make the weapon easier to carry, it is presented in a spray form to increase concentration. One must be especially careful, as the dilution concentration is directly related to its lethality to life. Therefore, the concentration must be tested constantly, and these liquid toxins must be protected at a specific low temperature. The time, manpower, and material resources spent on this biological weapon are immense. To date, it has only been used once because the cost is too high, and there are uncontrollable elements and preventative measures for the disease that remain elusive. It can be said that it is a highly lethal yet incomplete reagent, and even now, there are those secretly experimenting with it."

A Path to Redemption

"Although we are now biological weapon strains, we were once researchers ourselves. We were so focused on our research that we would forget about time and everything else, easily neglecting the needs of our own bodies. Only after finishing a phase of work would we realise we were hungry, or that our backs ached and our eyes were exhausted, and we would rush to the toilet. Because of this, these researchers are prone to illness. Their entire minds are filled with the changes of the bacteria they observe under the microscope. We never imagined that after we died from overwork, we would naturally become the very bacteria we studied. Because we scientists and medical experts are all so confident, competitive, and unwilling to admit defeat, we would rather research to the bitter end than give up halfway. Consequently, we became the bacteria. This strain is just as stubborn and resilient as we were; it is very difficult to destroy us."

"This recent pandemic has awakened our existence, and we have come to play a part in it, enhancing its power. Upon arriving here and hearing Practitioner Su give Dharma talks, we decided that we no longer wish to be bacteria. We have decided to use the same spirit we once poured into medical research to join in the study of the Buddha's teachings. We believe that we will surely find enlightenment. We have brought all the biological strains to take refuge in the Buddha's gate and to confess for the harm these biological strains have caused to people in the past. Although we are foreigners, we can understand the Buddha's teachings that Practitioner Su speaks of: 'Do not be selfish! The heart must be pure and good.' It turns out that this is the best antidote of all. I urge the people of this world to stop researching this bacteria."

"Namo Amituofo!"

The Buddha bestowed the Dharma name: Shi Yuanman.

This interview message was recorded by the Buddha's disciple, Shi Hailiang.