This is a record of an interview with Steve Jobs, who sought at the Hsiang Kuang Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Pure Land. This account reflects upon his observations of the practitioners' diligence and his own karmic reflections. Recorded by the chief writer, Venerable HaiZe, on September 11, 2017.
Steve Jobs speaks:
". I am Steve Jobs. Here in the Western Pure Land, we do not experience fatigue. We have little need for sleep—in fact, we do not need it at all. Sometimes, I choose to close my eyes simply to listen or to sense the environment around me. Occasionally, by doing so, I am able to hear or see worlds that remain hidden when my eyes are open.
A Lesson in Unwavering Diligence
Yesterday, the began around nine-thirty in the morning and continued until approximately ten-thirty at night. I observed that everyone rested around eleven-thirty, and after sleeping for barely an hour, a new day began. This morning, as usual, everyone gathered at one-twenty for the morning service to perform prostrations. Although their movements were a bit dazed, swaying between high and low, their spirit was truly commendable! Even I, watching from here, felt a deep sense of admiration. And this is not a one-time occurrence; it happens every single Monday!
By six-twenty, they finished the morning sutra recitation and, after a light breakfast, went out to perform their chores. Even though Practitioner Su told everyone they could take a moment to rest before continuing their studies at eight o'clock, it is essentially a life without rest. This method of practice is truly worthy of respect! This must be one of the forms of diligent practice. The most important spiritual leader here is Practitioner Su. If it were not for her unwavering, persistent strength in leading everyone to practise diligently—breaking through the limitations of time and space—there would be no 'Steve Jobs' here today capable of expressing these thoughts. Furthermore, no other Venerable could connect with the Western Pure Land and convey the intentions of those of us here, bridging the human world and the Western Pure Land. This is surely an inconceivable benefit of practice! Practitioner Su’s concrete actions to save sentient beings through Chao Du have never ceased, even when her physical body requires rest; she maintains the same schedule, day in and day out.
The Radiance of the True Practitioner
Just after the morning walking meditation, Practitioner Su gave a teaching to the group. She noted that this is the skill of a true practitioner. Everyone else appeared sleep-deprived, yet Practitioner Su alone seemed even more vibrant and energetic. The Practitioner Su I see is truly like this; her lips are a healthy, rosy red, and the Buddha-light radiating from her body is even larger and softer than before. It is such a pity that the others cannot see the light emanating from her! Because I, Steve Jobs, can see it—that is the Buddha-light, and it is deeply moving. So, this is what a true practitioner is! So, this is the kind of elder one should look to as a beacon in this world, a model for one's own practice. Through Practitioner Su, I have finally seen the meaning and purpose of practice: to find one's own true nature and, more importantly, to save sentient beings so they may be reborn in the Western Pure Land.
The Endless Cycle of Suffering
Today’s morning walking meditation and Chao Du did not change because of yesterday’s Thrice Yearning Ceremony; they continued as usual. This is what is called 'daily practice'—the fundamental work performed day after day. While others might walk, sleep, and chant the Buddha-name simultaneously, Practitioner Su does not. She maintains the same visualisation, the same focus on the immeasurable and boundless sentient beings. The suffering of these beings never rests; it never stops. It is constantly unfolding, and therefore, the work of saving them never rests either. It must be sustained continuously; otherwise, the suffering of sentient beings will pile up, and pile up again. It is truly miserable for them. They could be us from the past, or they could be our future selves. No wonder the Sutras say this world is a world of the Five Turbidities and Evil World.
The most tragic thing is that people cannot see their own suffering. They become accustomed to it, and so they continue to suffer, without any desire to escape. Therefore, to know suffering and to recognise suffering requires wisdom and guidance to see the truth of reality. Otherwise, one remains lost in it, not thinking it is suffering, not knowing it is suffering—let alone seeking to leave suffering behind and be reborn in the Western Pure Land!
A Haunting Encounter with the Digital Void
This morning, I saw a young person constantly tapping on an iPad. He was completely oblivious to his surroundings, lost in the world within that screen. This was a young person who no longer had a physical body—he was no longer a person of the human world; he was a spirit. He looked to be about seventeen or eighteen years old. I do not know what caused his young life to end. But to think that even in the spirit realm, there is addiction to computers? Do computers have souls too? How does one get online? Can one even get online? Does this mean there has been some technological exchange between the human world and the other side? Or is it that the ghost realm is now using computers? This is a massive breakthrough. Does this mean there are merchants buying and selling computers, manufacturing them? Heavens! How could this be? If that is the case, then the sins I, Steve Jobs, have created are truly endless! My God! This! This! This! I dare not think about it any further. What can be done? When will my ever end? Namo Amituofo! Practitioner Su, has my become even heavier and deeper because of this? Suddenly, I feel as if I am staring into a world of total darkness.
My heart is filled with a hundred conflicting emotions. If I had known today would come, I would never have done what I did back then! Alas! It is precisely because I did not know about today that I had a 'back then'! Practitioner Su, I think I may also need to recite the Sutras, perform prostrations, and chant the Buddha-name to eliminate my spiritual obstacles! I need to purify myself right now! Namo Amituofo. Namo Amituofo. Namo Amituofo. Namo Amituofo. Namo Amituofo…"
