The Demon Behind the Screen

This article documents a profound and chilling interview conducted with a demon spirit who had been controlling the consciousness of the late Steve Jobs. This entity, currently enduring severe retribution within the hells, sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. The dialogue was recorded on August 22, 2017, by the chief writer, Shi Fa, as part of the centre's ongoing efforts to document the spiritual causes behind modern worldly phenomena.

Disciple Fa Xi speaks: "I ask the demon spirit currently attached to the consciousness of Steve Jobs: please explain why you chose to create technology that so seduces the human heart, causing the masses to become so deeply addicted?"

Demon Spirit: "Because I like it. Is there any reason I shouldn't?"

The Arrogance of the Damned

Disciple Fa Xi speaks: "You are currently suffering retribution in the hells. Is it not agonizing? Why do you have no heart of repentance?"

Demon Spirit: "Agonizing? It is not agonizing at all. I am simply waiting for the day I escape this place. I intend to continue controlling this world. Hahahaha!"

Disciple Fa Xi speaks: "What is your name? And why did you feel the need to invent technology that interferes with the peace of the world?"

Demon Spirit: "Interference? What do you call interference? Are you not using technology yourselves? Technology is so seductive; it perfectly matches everyone's needs and completely satisfies their desires. Everyone loves it so much they cannot put it down. Why would you say I am wrong? I have not harmed anyone. Everything I have created has actually helped this world—and the Demon Realm. Did I not create these things to everyone's delight? Let me tell you: even though I am trapped here now, my subordinates are everywhere. The moment I get out, I will have even better ideas to stir up a new wave of this beautiful power. I have the ability. I am just waiting for the next useful 'skin' to inhabit. The last one is dead—a useless thing. He developed cancer and became ineffective. My creativity is far from exhausted. Once I stand up again, I will change this world."

A History of Betrayal

Disciple Fa Xi speaks: "You will likely never leave your current place because you possess not even a shred of repentance. Why are you so intensely driven to do these things? What kind of person were you in the past?"

Demon Spirit: "You do not need to concern yourself with who I was. I simply want to change this world using my own methods."

Disciple Fa Xi speaks: "You were a monastic in the past, were you not? Your practice was quite advanced. Why did you end up like this? Why have you turned to rebel against the world?"

Demon Spirit: "I do not want you to bring up those matters. I have no need for them. So what if my practice was good? I have my own abilities. I can change this world myself. I waited a long time for this 'skin'—Steve Jobs. Before him, I had already utilised many technological inventors to keep this game developing and growing."

The Brother's Grudge

Disciple Fa Xi speaks: "How long have you been waiting for Steve Jobs? Did you two once practise Zen Buddhism together?"

Demon Spirit: "You are actually able to see that? So what if I studied Buddhism? I ended up as a degenerate disciple cast out by the Buddha. I, too, once wanted to save this world and help beings leave suffering behind. Since I must now rely on my own power, am I not helping everyone leave suffering and gain happiness by using my power to create technology? Your own bodhimanda is filled with my creations!"

Disciple Fa Xi speaks: "Were you brothers in the Dharma? What happened to make you change so drastically?"

Demon Spirit: "The one who changed was not me—it was him! I was his younger brother. We practised together, and we both attained a high level of skill. I looked very much like my brother. When we were monastics, my brother committed an unforgivable sin. I was foolish; I agreed to take the blame for him. But my brother feared I would regret it, so he assassinated me on the road. I died a miserable death by the roadside, and my brother framed me, claiming I had committed suicide out of guilt. I became a sinner for all eternity. My brother used my identity to continue living in the world. This is so unfair! I have been waiting for eight hundred years. Finally, I saw this clever, wicked man, and I controlled him to complete the plans in my heart. I do not want people to be hurt; I only want them to be happier. Living in a virtual world is better—reality is too painful. In the virtual world, there is infinite joy."

The Mirror of Human Nature

Disciple Fa Xi speaks: "What happened back then that made you feel you had to take the blame?"

Demon Spirit: "My brother cried and told me that in a moment of delusion and greed, he had killed the abbot. He said he truly did not mean to do it. He knew he had to die. He cried and told me he was terrified. I was soft-hearted for a moment and agreed to shoulder the sin for him. I never expected that he would turn around and frame me further. Later, he became the abbot. I had practised very well; I could freely project my consciousness out of my body for months at a time. I had long ago cast aside thoughts of life and death. Anyway, I am different now. The world has changed, and I have changed. Just let me use my abilities to help everyone be happier."

Disciple Fa Xi speaks: "Your thinking is fundamentally flawed. The technology you created has not helped the world; it has completely destroyed the pure hearts of the people. Everyone is now lost in it. The sins you have accumulated are too deep. You still have no heart of repentance. How will you ever repay this?"

Demon Spirit: "Why should I repent? I know everyone is addicted to it, but if they did not like it, why would they be addicted? You cannot blame me entirely. Human desire is so vast. The human heart is so deep. People act with such hypocrisy in the real world; I helped create a virtual world where they can have real feelings and vent. In the virtual world, they show their true selves. I see them loving violence, adultery, and greed. These are all their own true natures. How can you blame me? Humans are too terrifying. Although I am from the Demon Realm, the human heart is far more terrifying than I am."

The Words of Namo Amituofo

Disciple Fa Xi speaks: "Namo Amituofo. Do you truly believe you have made no mistakes?"

Demon Spirit: "None."

Disciple Fa Xi speaks: "Then have you seen our Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre here in Australia? By comparison, do you not think you have deviated from the path?"

Demon Spirit: "I know of you. I respect you, but our paths are different. We do not seek the same things."

Disciple Fa Xi speaks: "Namo Amituofo. This is absolutely terrifying. You have destroyed the world because of your own personality. How many young children are now obsessed with these things? I humbly invite the Buddha to provide compassionate teachings."

Words of Namo Amituofo:

"The faults of technology—what logic can justify them? The creations of personality—what reason can defend them?

Past grievances have buried the world in disaster. How many are lost in this burial? How can they live well?

Do not persist in your delusions. Since you are already suffering retribution, you should sincerely repent. Repent immediately.

You cannot leave this place now. If you do not save the world, if you do not rectify your actions, the masses will continue to sink for one day after another.

They will never be free from the cycle of rebirth."